The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major reshuffle of senior commanders across the Nigerian Army, days after President Bola Tinubu authorised the creation of four new military divisions as part of a wider overhaul of the country’s security architecture.
The redeployment affects senior officers occupying key operational, command, training and administrative positions, with the Army saying the changes are aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness, improving command efficiency and enhancing its response to Nigeria’s challenges
Among the most notable appointments, Major General W.M. Dangana has been named General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, replacing Major General E.F. Oyinlola. Major General E.I. Okoro has also been appointed GOC 6 Division and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, succeeding Major General E.E. Emeka. Several other senior officers have been reassigned to strategic commands, training institutions and principal staff roles at Army Headquarters.
The shake-up comes shortly after President Tinubu approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in what officials have described as one of the most significant military reorganisations in recent years. The new divisions will be headquartered in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, with implementation scheduled in phases through the end of the year.
According to the Presidency, the expanded force structure is expected to decentralise military operations, strengthen border security, improve the protection of critical national infrastructure and enable faster responses to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other emerging security threats across the country.
In announcing the latest postings, the Nigerian Army said the redeployments form part of ongoing efforts to reposition the force into a more agile, professional and combat-ready institution capable of addressing the nation’s complex security environment. The Army added that the appointments underscore its commitment to operational excellence, innovation and effective leadership across all theatres of operation.
