Tinubu Moves Army Closer to Vulnerable Communities as New Formations Open in Four States

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that the Nigerian Army has operationalised new formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun states as part of efforts to bring troops closer to vulnerable communities and improve the military’s response to security threats.

Tinubu said the development was part of wider measures to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces. He also disclosed that the Federal Government was fast-tracking the construction of new military barracks and depots in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi, while the facility in Osun State has already been completed.

Tinubu Moves Army Formations Closer to Vulnerable Communities

According to Tinubu, the new Army formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun are intended to position troops closer to communities considered vulnerable to security threats. He said the arrangement would strengthen the ability of security personnel to respond swiftly when Nigerians come under threat.

The announcement comes as Nigeria continues to confront different security challenges across several regions. The operationalisation of the new formations follows a broader restructuring of the Nigerian Army approved earlier in 2026, including the expansion of the Army structure from eight to 12 divisions and approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.

Tinubu Links Military Expansion to Infrastructure and Welfare

Tinubu also said the Federal Government was accelerating the construction of new barracks and depots in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi, with the Osun facility already completed. He stressed that greater demands on servicemen and women should be accompanied by stronger support for them and their families.

The President described military deployment as a sacrifice that extends beyond the personnel on active duty, pointing to the families who remain at home while their relatives serve. He said his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief included ensuring that the Armed Forces had the resources and support required to carry out their duties.

Tinubu Says New Pay Structure Is Making a Difference

Tinubu also highlighted the recent increase in salaries for members of the Armed Forces, saying feedback from personnel showed that the adjustment was making a difference to servicemen, women and their families. The salary review took effect from September 1, 2026.

The approved increases range from 30 per cent for senior officers above the rank of colonel to 50 per cent for personnel from warrant officer to colonel and 80 per cent for personnel from private to staff sergeant, according to details released by the Presidency. About 250,000 military personnel are expected to benefit from the new structure. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest announcement places operational expansion, military infrastructure and personnel welfare at the centre of the Federal Government’s current security strategy. The new formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun are expected by the government to improve proximity to vulnerable communities and response times, while new barracks, depots and the revised pay structure are intended to strengthen support for personnel.

For OGM News NG, the next stage will be how these expanded formations and welfare measures translate into operational capacity and security outcomes for communities across the affected states.