President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture and improving the military’s operational effectiveness.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the decision reflects Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and enhance the nation’s defence capabilities.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country:
- 1 Division – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states)
- 2 Division – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states)
- 3 Division – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states)
- 5 Division – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states)
- 6 Division – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states)
- 7 Division – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe states)
- 8 Division – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states)
- 9 Division – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger states)
- 10 Division – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa states)
- 81 Division – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun states)
- 82 Division – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states)
- 83 Division – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states)
According to Onanuga, the creation of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, boost counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and enable quicker responses to emerging threats across the country.
He said the implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, covering the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of safeguarding the nation and protecting all Nigerians.
