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Calls for Investment in Equipment, Logistics, Infrastructure.
Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has backed the Federal Government’s plan to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions.
Irabor made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of plans to create four additional Army divisions and recruit 28,000 soldiers.
According to him, the proposal is a strategic step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture but cautioned that expanding the Army without addressing existing operational gaps could limit the effectiveness of the initiative.
He suggested that the government should first ensure that the current eight divisions are fully equipped and adequately staffed before establishing new formations.
“The expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight divisions to 12 divisions is the right step in the right direction,” Irabor said.
He also welcomed President Tinubu’s acknowledgement of the military’s operational challenges, noting that effective reforms begin with a clear understanding of existing shortcomings.
“It is quite heartwarming to know that the Commander-in-Chief himself is well abreast of the shortcomings of the military. If he’s starting with the Army, perhaps that’s a good step. I believe that the Navy and the Air Force will be part of the efforts,” he said.
The retired military chief explained that creating four additional divisions would require more than increasing troop numbers, stressing that each formation must be supported with adequate combat equipment, communication systems, transportation assets, accommodation, medical facilities and logistics infrastructure.
“First, the existing eight divisions must be properly brought up to scale in terms of personnel, equipment, logistics and so on. I want to believe that the President is well aware of the implications of all that,” he said.
He added that troops deployed to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes must be adequately equipped and motivated to improve operational effectiveness.
He noted that the planned recruitment would only represent a modest increase when compared with the personnel requirements of four new divisions.
“But of course, it’s also good to start from somewhere, meaning that a lot has to go into accommodation for the troops,” he said.
Irabor said the recruitment exercise would require substantial investment in barracks, training institutions, instructors, healthcare services and personnel welfare to ensure the new recruits are effectively integrated into the Armed Forces.
He further argued that recruitment alone would not address the military’s manpower needs unless it is backed by continuous training, improved welfare and retention policies to keep experienced personnel in service.
NPO Reports recalls that President Tinubu had recently announced plans to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and recruit an additional 28,000 soldiers in a bid to improve national security and enhance the military’s operational capacity.