Tinubu Approves Nigerian Army Expansion to 12 Divisions with New 83 Division in Benin

Benin, Edo – In a major boost to Nigeria’s security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the 83 Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Benin City, covering Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.

This forms part of a broader restructuring that expands the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.

The creation of the 83 Division, to be completed in the second phase by December 2026, aims to enhance command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, protect critical national infrastructure particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, and enable faster responses to emerging threats such as militancy, oil theft, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity prevalent in the South-South zone.

Here is the complete structure under the new approval:
1. 1 Division – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States)

2. 2 Division – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States)

3. 3 Division – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States)

4. 5 Division – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States)

5. 6 Division – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States)

6. 7 Division – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)

7. 8 Division – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States)

8. 9 Division – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)

9. 10 Division – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)

10. 81 Division – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)

11. 82 Division – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States)

12. 83 Division – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States)

The new divisions in Makurdi (5 Division), Ilorin (9 Division), Jalingo (10 Division), and Benin City (83 Division) are expected to significantly improve operational reach across Nigeria’s diverse security theatres.

President Tinubu’s approval also greenlights the recruitment and training of 28,000 additional soldiers to address manpower gaps and tackle rising insecurity nationwide.

The Nigerian Army has already made progress, with training depots in Zaria, Osogbo, and the newly established Amasiri-Edda facility supporting the drive.

Several batches of recruits have completed training and are set for deployment.

Implementation will occur in two phases, which are Phase One (5, 9, and 10 Divisions plus reorganisation of existing formations) – Completion by September 2026, while Phase Two including the 83 Division and further reorganisation – Completion by December 2026.

Military analysts view the expansion as a proactive response to evolving threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle Belt, and separatist agitations and oil-related crimes in the South.

By increasing the number of divisions and bolstering troop strength, the Nigerian Army aims to achieve better territorial coverage and more responsive internal security operations.

This development builds on ongoing investments in equipment acquisition, troop welfare, and joint operations with other security agencies.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has emphasised that the restructuring will create a more professional, adaptable, and combat-ready force.

Residents in the 83 Division’s area of responsibility, particularly in the Niger Delta, are expected to see improved security presence and quicker military intervention in hotspots as the new formation becomes fully operational later this year.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​