New divisions to be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, Benin City as President targets faster response to security threats
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army, expanding its operational divisions from eight to twelve and authorizing the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The move, announced by the State House is described as a landmark decision aimed at improving command and control, decentralizing operations, and enhancing the Army’s capacity to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the expansion builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including the acquisition of critical military platforms, improved troop welfare, and ongoing support for force modernization.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions strategically positioned across the country. Four new divisional headquarters will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City.
The 12 Division Headquarters and their areas of responsibility are:
- 1 Division – Kaduna: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa
- 2 Division – Ibadan: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo
- 3 Division – Jos: Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe
- 5 Division – Makurdi: Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi New
- 6 Division – Port Harcourt: Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River
- 7 Division – Maiduguri: Borno, Yobe
- 8 Division – Sokoto: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara
- 9 Division – Ilorin: Kwara, Niger New
- 10 Division – Jalingo: Taraba, Adamawa New
- 81 Division – Lagos: Lagos, Ogun
- 82 Division – Enugu: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo
- 83 Division – Benin City: Edo, Delta, Bayelsa New
The Presidency said the new divisions will strengthen border security, improve protection of critical national infrastructure, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide. It will also enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations.
Implementation will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganization of existing formations, is to be completed by September 2026. The second phase, which includes the establishment of 83 Division in Benin City 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 for their dedication and professionalism in defending Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain “adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing military operations against insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, and other internal security threats across the country.
