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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army structure from eight to twelve divisions – a key move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
According to Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, this endorsement underscores the President’s continued commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to effectively address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and to further strengthen national defense capabilities.
He said the expansion builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved troop well-being, and continued support for operational readiness and force modernization.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate in twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:
1. 1st Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states)
2. 2nd Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States)
3. 3rd Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states)
4. 5th Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states)
5. 6th Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States)
6. 7th Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)
7. 8th Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states)
8. 9th Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)
9. 10th Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)
10. 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)
11. 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states)
12. 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states).
The establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralize operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance protection of critical national infrastructure, enhance counterinsurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
The implementation of the new force structure will take place in two phases. The first phase, which involves the creation of Divisions 5, 9 and 10 and the reorganization of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, which involves the creation of Division 83 and further reorganization, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism and steadfast commitment to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.
Onanuga further said that the President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue to invest in the armed forces, ensuring that they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of protecting the nation and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.
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