President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, improve operational effectiveness and enhance the military’s capacity to respond to emerging threats.
The Presidency, in a statement on Thursday, said the expansion was part of the administration’s broader investment in the Armed Forces, which includes the approval of additional recruitment of 28,000 personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved welfare for troops, and ongoing efforts to modernise the military.
It said the decision reflected Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces with the resources required to tackle evolving security challenges and reinforce national defence capabilities.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country.
The divisions and their areas of responsibility are:
- 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
The Presidency said the creation of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, protect critical national infrastructure and enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations.
“The establishment of the new divisions 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 signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, read.
The implementation of the expanded force structure will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, involving the creation of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, and officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their commitment, professionalism and sacrifices in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, motivated and capable of protecting Nigerians and responding effectively to security threats.
