Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has questioned the planning and funding behind the Federal Government’s decision to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions.
Makinde raised concerns over the financial implications of the expansion, asking the Federal Government to identify where the exercise was captured in the 2026 budget.
The governor said he examined the budget while trying to determine the provision made for the expansion but claimed he could not find a specific allocation for it...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
According to him, establishing additional military divisions requires more than an announcement, as the government must provide adequate funding and a clear operational plan to ensure the new formations can effectively respond to insecurity.
The Federal Government had approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the military’s ability to respond to emerging threats.
The restructuring includes the establishment of new divisions in areas such as Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, alongside the reorganisation of existing military formations.
Makinde argued that such a major expansion should be supported by transparent budgeting and proper planning, particularly at a time when insecurity remains a major concern in several parts of the country.
He also questioned whether the increased revenue available to state governments through federal allocations had translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
The governor acknowledged that states now receive more money from the Federation Account but questioned whether the additional resources had made a noticeable difference in tackling hunger and other economic difficulties confronting citizens.
Makinde said the issue should not simply be about how much money governments receive but also about how effectively those resources are converted into tangible improvements for the population.
He further discussed Oyo State’s dependence on federal allocations, saying his administration had reduced the state’s reliance on federal funds after assuming office in 2019 before the dependence later increased again.
The governor also contrasted his approach to budgeting in Oyo State with what he described as the need for broader planning at the federal level. He said his administration had already begun consultations across the state ahead of the 2027 budget to identify the needs and priorities of different communities.
His comments come as the Federal Government continues to pursue changes to Nigeria’s security architecture, including military restructuring, additional recruitment, equipment acquisition and improvements in personnel welfare.
The Army expansion is being implemented in phases, with the government planning the establishment of some new divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations before completing further changes later in 2026.
Makinde’s comments have therefore brought renewed attention to the financial side of the military restructuring and the wider question of how public resources are being allocated between security, economic relief and development.
The governor also used the occasion to present aspects of his proposed “Reset Nigeria” agenda, which he says would focus on security, education, the economy and institutional reforms if he becomes president.
His remarks have added another layer to the ongoing national debate over Nigeria’s security spending, federal allocations to states and the need for governments to demonstrate how public funds are being planned and utilised.
