Ayoola Lawal, a former secretary of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to combat insecurity across the country.

Mr Lawal, the immediate past chairman of the APC in Scandinavian countries, also commended the president for significant improvements in the welfare of members of the armed forces through substantial salary increases across all ranks.

Mr Lawal said this in a statement on Friday.

The president on Wednesday approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Nigeria’s armed forces personnel.

Mr Tinubu on July 23 approved expansion of the army from eight to 12 divisions and recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

The party chieftain described the measures as one of the most consequential investments in Nigeria’s security architecture in recent years.

“No nation can achieve sustainable economic growth, attract meaningful investment, or guarantee the safety and well-being of its citizens without a strong and professional security system.

“This administration’s commitment to expanding the army’s operational capacity and improving the welfare of military personnel demonstrates a clear recognition of the central role security plays in national development,” he stated.

Mr Lawal stated that the creation of four additional army divisions would strengthen command structures, improve operational responsiveness, and enhance the military’s ability to address the country’s diverse security challenges.

He further observed that investing in the welfare of service personnel was not only a moral obligation but also a strategic decision that enhanced morale, professionalism, retention, and operational effectiveness.

The party chieftain particularly welcomed the administration’s decision to grant the highest percentage salary increase to junior military personnel. He described it as a thoughtful acknowledgement of those who bore the greatest burden in frontline operations and made immense sacrifices in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While noting that military reforms alone cannot resolve every security challenge confronting the nation, Mr Lawal restated that they provided a stronger foundation for broader reforms in intelligence, policing, border management, and socio-economic development.

He added that sustained investment in modern equipment, training, technology, veterans’ welfare, and institutional capacity would further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Mr Lawal, however, congratulated Mr Tinubu, the military high command, and armed forces members on the landmark reforms, expressing confidence that the initiatives would contribute significantly to a safer, more secure, and more prosperous Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to support the consolidation of the federal government’s policies in the interest of the nation and nation-building, as done in other climes.

(NAN)