ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to the newly established Nigerian Army Divisions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's approval of four additional divisions aimed at strengthening the country's security architecture.

The appointments, announced on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, mark a significant milestone in the Nigerian Army's ongoing transformation to improve operational effectiveness, command and control, rapid troop deployment, and response to emerging security threats across the federation.

New Divisions to Strengthen National Security

According to the Nigerian Army, the newly established divisions will commence operations once they attain Initial Operational Capability (IOC) before progressing to Full Operational Capability (FOC) through a phased implementation strategy.

The Army said the expansion is designed to improve force projection, strengthen border security, and enhance coordination with other security agencies in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other security challenges.

Operational Responsibilities of the Army Divisions

Under the new operational structure:

• 1 Division Kaduna – Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.
• 2 Division Ibadan – Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
• 3 Division Jos – Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
• 5 Division Makurdi – Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States.
• 6 Division Port Harcourt – Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
• 7 Division Maiduguri – Borno and Yobe States.
• 8 Division Sokoto – Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
• 9 Division Ilorin – Kwara and Niger States.
• 10 Division Jalingo – Taraba and Adamawa border areas.
• 81 Division Lagos – Lagos and Ogun States.
• 82 Division Enugu – Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
• 83 Division Benin City – Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States (to be activated later this year).

Newly Appointed General Officers Commanding

The Chief of Army Staff approved the following senior officers to head the new formations:

• Major General Yakubu Yahaya – General Officer Commanding, 9 Division Ilorin, and Commander, Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
• Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife – General Officer Commanding, 10 Division Jalingo.
• Major General Moses Gara – General Officer Commanding, 5 Division Makurdi, and Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE.
• Major General Auwalu Mahmuda – General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Ibadan.

Three New Brigades Activated

To reinforce the expanded command structure, the Nigerian Army also activated three additional brigades:

• 11 Brigade, Gboko – Commander: Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi.
• 29 Brigade, Kainji – Commander: Brigadier General A.M. Haruna.
• 10 Brigade, Lafia – Commander: Brigadier General R.M. Aminu.

COAS Charges Commanders

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership while maintaining professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to defending Nigeria's sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting national peace and security.

The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the expansion, describing the creation of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in strengthening Nigeria's defence architecture.

According to the Army, the new divisions will significantly improve command and control, facilitate faster deployment of troops, strengthen border security, and enhance the military's ability to respond decisively to evolving security threats nationwide.

Why It Matters

The restructuring represents one of the most significant expansions of the Nigerian Army in recent years. Defence analysts believe the additional divisions will improve military presence in vulnerable regions, enhance joint operations with other security agencies, and provide greater operational flexibility in combating insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crimes.

As Nigeria continues to confront complex security challenges, the expanded force structure is expected to play a critical role in improving national stability and safeguarding the country's territorial integrity.