The 1st Division is a one of two mechanized infantry division unit of the Nigerian Army (NA), which specialized in combined arms, desert and jungle warfare, maneuver warfare, and reconnaissance.

It was established during the Nigerian civil war and is charged with securing its area of responsibility covering the North Western flank of Nigeria and also ensuring that the borders located in its AOR are secured.

This was later abandoned in favor of the assignment of sectors to the divisions.

[3] The existence of 3rd Brigade at Kano was corroborated by a May 2015 report of 1,000 soldiers dismissed "for allegedly disobeying orders during onslaughts against Boko Haram militants in the North-east.

"[6] 17 Brigade began its formation in late 2017, and was officially established on 20 February 2018 for internal security duties.