New 83 Division Headquarters to Be Established in Benin City as Federal Government Strengthens National Security Architecture
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure from eight to twelve divisions as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve the military’s ability to respond to emerging threats across the country.
The approval, announced in a State House statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to boost the Army’s manpower and operational effectiveness.
According to the Presidency, the expansion reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the Armed Forces and enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities amid evolving security challenges.
The administration said the initiative builds on ongoing investments in the military, including the acquisition of modern combat equipment, improved troop welfare, enhanced operational readiness, and continued force modernisation.
Under the newly approved structure, the Nigerian Army will operate from 12 strategically located divisions across the country:
- 1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.
- 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
- 3 Division Headquarters – Jos: Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
- 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi: Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States.
- 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt: Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
- 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri: Borno and Yobe States.
- 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto: Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
- 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin: Kwara and Niger States.
- 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo: Taraba and Adamawa States.
- 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos: Lagos and Ogun States.
- 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
- 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City: Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
The Presidency stated that the establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency operations and ensure faster military responses to security threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will take place in two phases.
The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin and 10 Division in Jalingo, along with the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division Headquarters in Benin City and additional structural reorganisation, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and fully prepared to safeguard the nation and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.
IBN News will continue to monitor developments as implementation of the new military structure begins.
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