Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff, has authorized the appointment of new General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the recently formed Nigerian Army divisions. This expansion, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adds four new divisions to the force to bolster national security, improve command structures, and extend the Army’s operational reach.
Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, stated that these divisions will begin operations upon reaching Initial Operational Capability, with long-term plans to achieve Full Operational Capability. This phased rollout ensures consistent security coverage and fluid troop deployment across the nation.
The reorganization redraws divisional boundaries. For example, 1 Division in Kaduna will manage security in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa, while the new 5 Division in Makurdi will oversee Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi. Other new units include 9 Division in Ilorin, covering Kwara and Niger, and 10 Division in Jalingo, which will focus on border regions in Taraba and Adamawa. Additionally, 83 Division is set to begin operations in Benin City, managing Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa.
Key leadership changes include Major General Yakubu Yahaya moving to lead 9 Division, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife taking charge of 10 Division, and Major General Moses Gara heading 5 Division. Furthermore, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been named the GOC of 2 Division in Ibadan. The Army has also established 11 Brigade in Gboko, 29 Brigade in Kainji, and 10 Brigade in Lafia to provide additional support.
Lieutenant General Shaibu encouraged the new commanders to prioritize discipline and effective leadership. He noted that this expansion is a vital step in modernizing Nigeria’s defense architecture, enhancing the military’s ability to respond to security threats, and ensuring better coordination during joint operations.
