President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of four new Nigerian Army divisions, a major reorganization aimed at strengthening military operations across the country. Following the approval, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu appointed General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the new formations, the army announced on July 29 via its X account.
New Divisions and Their Headquarters
The newly established divisions include the 5 Division headquartered in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin, 10 Division in Jalingo, and 83 Division in Benin City, which will be activated later this year. The army stated that these formations will begin operations after reaching Initial Operational Capability (IOC), gradually building personnel, equipment, and infrastructure before attaining Full Operational Capability (FOC). This phased approach ensures uninterrupted operations while improving rapid response to security situations. With these additions, the Nigerian Army now operates 12 divisions nationwide.
Reallocation of State Responsibilities
The reorganization also changes areas of responsibility for divisions across Nigeria. Under the new arrangement: 1 Division (Kaduna) oversees Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states; 2 Division (Ibadan) covers Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo; 3 Division (Jos) covers Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe; 5 Division (Makurdi) covers Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi; 6 Division (Port Harcourt) covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River; 7 Division (Maiduguri) covers Borno and Yobe; 8 Division (Sokoto) covers Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara; 9 Division (Ilorin) covers Kwara and Niger; 10 Division (Jalingo) covers border areas of Taraba and Adamawa; 81 Division (Lagos) covers Lagos and Ogun; 82 Division (Enugu) covers Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo; and 83 Division (Benin City) will cover Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa after activation later this year.
Appointment of Commanders
Lieutenant General Shaibu also approved redeployments of senior officers to lead the new formations. Major General Yakubu Yahaya moved from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to head the 9 Division in Ilorin, also serving as Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD. Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife moved from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to become GOC 10 Division in Jalingo. Major General Moses Gara was redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to lead 5 Division in Makurdi, also serving as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE. The army stated that these appointments provide experienced leadership for the new formations as they begin operations across their assigned areas.
Strategic Context and Impact
The Nigerian Army stated: "The landmark development forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army's force structure, expand its operational footprint, enhance command and control as well as improve the Service's capacity to effectively respond to Nigeria's evolving security challenges." This expansion comes amid ongoing security operations against banditry, insurgency, and other threats across the country. The phased activation of the new divisions ensures that existing operations are not disrupted while the new formations gradually reach full capability. The army had earlier reshuffled senior officers across commands, operational units, and training institutions to strengthen leadership and coordination, including appointments such as Major General WM Dangana and Major General EI Okoro taking charge of the 3 and 6 Divisions respectively.
