Troops of 1 Mechanised Infantry Division within the Headquarters complex during a route march exercise conducted in 1992. (Not to be confused with UN Blue Helmets)
1 Division Nigerian Army known, as "the first" is one of the Divisions established during the Nigerian civil war. The Division formerly known as the "First Infantry Division" was born out of the former " 1st Brigade" of the Nigerian Army which was later christened, " 1 Area Command". As result of the outbreak of the civil war in 1967 and considering the growth of the Nigerian Army due to challenges of the war, the nomenclature was changed from "1st Area Command " to "1 Infantry Division". This gave room for the expansion of operational responsibilities.
The Division played major roles throughout the civil war and its campaigns and liberation efforts were fully hailed. The first General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division was Col Mohammed Shuwa while other commanders are listed below. The present GOC is Maj Gen DAR Ndefo
S/N
Name
Awards/Decorations
Period of Command
1.
Col
M Shuwa
JSS
30/08/67 -20 Sept 69
2.
Brig
ID Bisalla
Psc
24 Sep 69-14 Dec 73
3.
Brig
IB Haruna
JSS
15 Dec 73-31 Jul 75
4.
Maj Gen
IA Akinrinade
Psc
01 Aug 75-04 Jan 78
5.
Brig
DY Balli
Psc
05 Jan 78-01 Sep 78
6.
Brig
PA Eromobor
01 Sep 78-04 Sep 79
7.
Maj Gen
GA Innih
02 Oct 79-16 Apr 80
8.
Maj Gen
DN Jemibewon
JSS psc mni
09 Jan 80-01 Nov 81
9.
Maj Gen
AD Aduloju
FSS psc mni
01/11/ 81-29 Aug 83
10.
Maj Gen
HA Hananiya
FSS psc mni
30/08/ 83- 09 Jan 84
11.
Brig
JO Oni
FSS psc mni
09 Jan 84-16 Sep 85
12.
Maj Gen
PI Adomokhai
FSS psc mni
16 Sep 85-12 Oct 88
13.
Maj Gen
MS Sami
FSS psc mni
25 Oct 88-17 Jan 90
14.
Maj Gen
IOS Nwachukwu
GCMG psc mni LLD
17 Jan 90-03 Sep 90
15.
Maj Gen
AA Abubakar
FSS psc mni
03/09/90-01 Nov 91
16.
Brig Gen
AM Daku
FSS psc mni
25 Nov 91-18 Jan 93
17.
Brig Gen
JN Shagaya
FSS NSS psc rcds
18 Jan 93-20 Sep 93
18.
Brig Gen
MC Ali
GRG(H) FSS MSS psc (+) ndc Msc
20 Sep 93-06 Dec 93
19.
Brig Gen
AJ Kazir
FSS MSS psc (+) uswc
06 Dec 93-22 Sep 94
20.
Brig Gen
AA Abdullahi
DSS psc (+) rcds mni
22 Sep 94-22 Apr 96
21.
Brig Gen
MO Sule
DSS psc mni
22 Apr 96-01 Jul 96
22.
Maj Gen
MO Sule
DSS psc mni
01 Jul 96-16 Dec 96
23.
Maj Gen
AS Mukhtar
FSS MSS psc (+) LLB (Hons) BLmni
16 Dec 96-10 Jun 99
24.
Maj Gen
AO Ogomudia
DSS MSS Fss psc (+) fwc Msc Con
19 Jul 99-24 Apr 01
25.
Brig Gen
DRA Ndefo
FSS MSS DSS psc (+) fwc
30/05/ 01-29 Dec 01
26.
Maj Gen
DRA Ndefo
FSS MSS DSS psc (+) fwc
30 Dec 01-Aug 02
27.
Maj Gen
SA Asemota
DSS psc (+) fwc MSc
Aug 02 -17 Jan 2005
28.
Maj Gen
OA Azazi
17 Jan 2005 - Date
Maj Gen OA Azazi
The Division's logo is a charging white stallion, rearing on its headquarters, imposed on a sky-blue background. The white colour stands for peace, which is the ultimate in all wars while the blue colour connotes mobility. This is a clear indication of the Division's combat readiness at all times. It is always at the forefront where action, speed and strength are required. The horse in a charging position depicts boundless energy.
The Division's slogan is " charge to victory". It has a white horse as its Mascot. The horse was chosen as the Division's Mascot because its units are located in the northern part of Nigeria where in ancient days; horses were used as means of mobility in military operations and ceremonial durbars. The mascot, therefore, symbolises the strength, power and mobility of the Division, which is believed to charge it to victory in all operations. The horse is also synonymous with battle among other animals as depicted by its enormous strength compared to other animals.
The Division's logo is a charging white stallion, rearing on its headquarters, imposed on a sky-blue background. The white colour stands for peace, which is the ultimate in all wars while the blue colour connotes mobility. This is a clear indication of the Division's combat readiness at all times. It is always at the forefront where action, speed and strength are required. The horse in a charging position depicts boundless energy. 
