*Okays 5 Mechanized Brigade In Benin
In an effort to strengthen national security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion and restructuring of the Nigerian Army.
The approved expansion includes the establishment of the 4 Mechanised Brigade in Benin City under the newly created 83 Division, as part of a sweeping reform aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.
The President’s approval will increase the Nigerian Army’s formations from eight to 12 divisions and authorise the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to boost operational capacity, improve response to security threats, and enhance the effectiveness of military operations nationwide.
The creation of the 83 Division, with its headquarters in Benin City, is expected to provide stronger military presence and coordination across Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states.
The development will also support faster deployment, improved command structure, and enhanced protection of critical infrastructure within the region.
The expansion is part of the Federal Government’s continued investment in the Armed Forces, including the acquisition of modern military platforms, improved welfare for troops, and initiatives focused on force modernisation and operational readiness.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions strategically positioned across the country:
1. 1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States)
2. 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States)
3. 3 Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe States)
4. 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States)
5. 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States)
6. 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)
7. 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States)
8. 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)
9. 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)
10. 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)
11. 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo States)
12. 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States)
The Presidency stated that the restructuring would strengthen command and control, decentralise military decision-making, improve border security, protect key national assets, and enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations.
The implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, involving 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, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their commitment to defending the nation, assuring that his administration would continue to provide the resources needed to build a modern, capable, and highly motivated military force.
