As part of efforts to enhance the country’s security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from 8 to 12 divisions.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the move is also aimed at improving the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
Onanuga noted that the approval highlights the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and further strengthen the country’s national defence capabilities.
He explained that the expansion builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including the approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically positioned across the country. These include the 1 Division Headquarters in Kaduna, covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States; the 2 Division Headquarters in Ibadan, covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States; the 3 Division Headquarters in Jos, covering Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe States; and the 5 Division Headquarters in Makurdi, covering Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States.
The divisions also include the 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States; the 7 Division Headquarters in Maiduguri, covering Borno and Yobe States; the 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto, covering Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States; the 9 Division Headquarters in Ilorin, covering Kwara and Niger States; the 10 Division Headquarters in Jalingo, covering Taraba and Adamawa States; the 81 Division Headquarters in Lagos, covering Lagos and Ogun States; the 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu, covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo States; and the 83 Division Headquarters in Benin City, covering Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
“The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide,” the statement said.
It also stated that the implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation while guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
