President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions.
The landmark move is aim at enhancing the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army
The Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement issued Thursday said approval underscored the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.
He noted: “The expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.”
Onanuga stressed that under the new structure, the Nigerian Army would operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:
1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States); 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States); . 3 Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States).
5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States); 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States); 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States); 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States); 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States).
10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States); 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States); 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States); 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States).
Onanuga explained that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City would significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making.
He said it would also 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.
Onanuga explained that the implementation of the new force structure would be done in two phases.
He stressed that the first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, wbe 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, Lt-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.