President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major restructuring and expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational formations to 12 divisions as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve military presence across the country.
The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel, a move aimed at boosting troop strength and enhancing the Army’s ability to respond to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other security challenges nationwide.
Full List of the 12 Nigerian Army Divisions
Following the approval, the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure is as follows:
1 Division – Kaduna: Covers Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.
2 Division – Ibadan: Covers Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
3 Division – Jos: Covers Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
5 Division – Makurdi: Covers Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States.
6 Division – Port Harcourt: Covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
7 Division – Maiduguri: Covers Borno and Yobe States.
8 Division – Sokoto: Covers Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
9 Division – Ilorin: Covers Kwara and Niger States.
10 Division – Jalingo: Covers Taraba and Adamawa States.
81 Division – Lagos: Covers Lagos and Ogun States.
82 Division – Enugu: Covers Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
83 Division – Benin City: Covers Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
Implementation Timeline
The Federal Government will implement the new force structure in two phases.
The first phase, expected to be completed by September 2026, will involve the establishment of the 5 Division (Makurdi), 9 Division (Ilorin), and 10 Division (Jalingo), alongside the reorganization of existing military formations.
The second phase, scheduled for completion by December 2026, will include the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and further restructuring of Army formations.
Strengthening National Security
The expansion reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to reinforcing Nigeria’s security architecture. Military analysts believe the additional divisions and recruitment of 28,000 personnel will improve operational efficiency, enhance rapid response capabilities, and strengthen security coverage across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
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The restructuring is expected to provide better coordination of military operations while supporting ongoing efforts to combat insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and other emerging security threats.
