Military unveils areas of responsibility and appoints commanders as expansion to 12 divisions begins.
The Nigerian Army has announced a comprehensive reorganisation of its operational structure following President Bola Tinubu’s approval of four additional divisions, expanding the Army from eight to 12 divisions nationwide.
The Army described the development as a landmark step aimed at strengthening its force structure, expanding its operational footprint, enhancing command and control, and improving its capacity to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s official X handle on Wednesday, the newly established divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while measures are being implemented to ensure they progressively attain Full Operational Capability (FOC).
The Army said the phased implementation is designed to guarantee seamless operationalisation, continuity of military operations and rapid force projection across the country.
Under the new structure, 1 Division Kaduna will be responsible for Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan will oversee Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. The 3 Division Jos will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly created 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will be responsible for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Similarly, 7 Division Maiduguri will cover Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto retains responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states, particularly border areas.
The Army added that 81 Division Lagos will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states. The newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when activated later this year.
To provide leadership for the new formations, the Chief of Army Staff approved the appointment of senior officers as General Officers Commanding (GOCs).
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to 9 Division, Ilorin, as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Nnebeife has been redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as General Officer Commanding.
Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual role of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
President Tinubu approved the military expansion on July 23, 2026, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and continued investments in operational readiness and force modernisation.
The Presidency said the approval underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities and effectively addressing the country’s security challenges.
According to the implementation plan, the first phase of the restructuring, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.