Delta, Edo, Bayelsa Get New Army Division as Tinubu Expands Nigerian Army to 12

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, with Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states to come under the newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, Edo State.

The development is part of a broader restructuring of the Nigerian Army aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, improving military response to emerging threats and enhancing the protection of critical national infrastructure.

Under the new structure approved by President Tinubu, the 83 Division will have operational responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, bringing the three states under a dedicated Army division for improved coordination of security operations.

The expansion was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement said the President’s approval was aimed at improving the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army and strengthening the country’s defence capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.

The establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City is expected to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making and facilitate faster military responses to security threats across Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.

The new division is also expected to strengthen the protection of critical national infrastructure and support internal security operations across the three states.

The expansion will see the Nigerian Army operate 12 divisions strategically positioned across the country. The existing divisions include 1 Division in Kaduna, 2 Division in Ibadan, 3 Division in Jos, 6 Division in Port Harcourt, 7 Division in Maiduguri, 8 Division in Sokoto, 81 Division in Lagos and 82 Division in Enugu.

Four additional divisions are being established with headquarters in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

The Federal Government said the new structure would also enhance border security, improve counter-insurgency operations and ensure quicker military intervention in areas facing emerging security threats.

According to the statement, implementation of the restructuring 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 in Benin City and further reorganisation of the Army’s structure, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

As part of the broader effort to strengthen the military, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, alongside the acquisition of critical military equipment and platforms and improved welfare support for troops.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces to ensure that the military remains adequately equipped and capable of protecting Nigerians and safeguarding national security.