The Nigerian Armed Forces is what we refer to as the Nigerian Military Forces. This troop is from the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Originating from the elements of the Royal West African Frontier Force that became Nigerian when independence was granted in 1960. The Nigeria Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) was renamed the Nigerian Military Forces.
RWAFF In 1956, the colonial government of Nigeria took over from the British War control of the Nigerian military forces in April 1958, and since then, the Nigerian military has fought in a civil war.
The military is best known for its high discipline value, and as such, it has manipulated its way to live above the social problems surrounding the civil sector.
It is good for you to know more about the Nigerian military because it will help you to be highly patriotic and understand the military sector better.
Roles of the Nigerian Military Forces
The following are the core duties of the Nigerian Military Forces:
- The Nigerian military force has to defend Nigerians from external aggression.
- They have to Maintain Nigeria’s territorial integrity and secure its borders from violation on land, sea, or air;
- Suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly and
- perform any additional duties that a National Assembly act may specify.
Tiers of Nigerian Military and their Rankings
The Nigerian Military is made of three main tiers, which are:
- Nigerian Air force
- Nigerian Navy
- Nigerian Army
NOTE: There is an earlier-rooted ranking order in the Nigerian military force rankings, except in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)where ranks and ranking are significant.
This ranking order means that officers in the Nigerian armed forces are split into two categories: commissioned and non-commissioned officers.
Being a commissioned officer means that the person is in the senior ranks, while junior officers of low ranks are said to be non-commissioned officers.
Nigerian Air Force
The air force begins as a transport unit, with aircrew being trained in Canada, Ethiopia, and Pakistan. Up until the Soviet Union presented a number of MiG-17 aircraft in 1966, the air force’s combat capability was insufficient.
This particular arm force was officially established in January 1964 with a technical assistant from West Germany. In 2007, the Air Force had a strength of 10,000. It flies transport, trainer, helicopter, and fighter aircraft.
The Air Force sponsors the Air Force Military School, Jos, Nigeria, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
NIGERIAN AIRFORCE Ranks
Just like the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy,
The ranks in the Nigerian Air Force are also based on two categories: the commissioned officers and the non-commissioned officers.
Nigerian Air Force Ranks for Commissioned Officers
The Nigerian Air Force commissioned officers are made up of 11 ranks, which are:
- Marshal of the Nigerian Air Force
- Air Chief Marshal
- Air Marshal
- Air Vice-Marshal
- Air Commodore
- Group Captain
- Wing Commander
- Squadron Leader
- Flight Lieutenant
- Flying Officer
- Pilot Officer
Nigerian Air Force ranks for Non-commissioned Officers
The Nigerian Air Force non-commissioned officers are made up of nine ranks, which are:
- Air Warrant Officer
- Master Warrant Officer
- Warrant Officer
- Flight Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Lance Corporal
- Aircraftman
- Recruit
Nigerian Air Force Airmen rank
The Nigerian Air Force airmen are the equivalent of the sailors in the Nigerian Navy. The NAF airman ranks are:
- Air Warrant Officer
- Master Warrant Officer
- Warrant Officer
- Flight Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Lance Corporal
- Aircraftman/woman
Role of the Nigerian Air Force
The Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with the Navy and Army, is responsible for defending the country, its citizens, its ideals, and its culture. This is achieved by:
- monitoring the air,
- obtaining intelligence through aerial surveillance and investigations,
- ensuring that air transportation can meet all operational demands, and
- continuing to support combat operations through a launch capability.
- deploy some of the world’s most technologically advanced warplanes,
- use state-of-the-art intelligence and information systems
In addition to defending our country, the Air Force assists with a wide range of missions both at home and abroad, including:
- assisting with international security and counter-terrorism efforts,
- defending our borders against unlawful entry and intrusions,
- executing search and rescue operations,
- assisting peacekeeping missions, and
- assisting communities that have been impacted by natural disasters
Nigerian Navy
The Nigerian Navy (NN) is the sea branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Presently, the command structure of the Nigerian Navy is made up of the Naval Headquarters in Abuja and three operational commands with headquarters in Lagos, Calabar, and Bayelsa.
The Nigerian Navy (NN) Training Command’s headquarters are located in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, but with training, facilities spread all over Nigeria.
The Nigerian Navy has five operational bases, five forward operational bases (with two more soon to come on stream), two dockyards located in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and two fleets based in Lagos and Calabar.
The Nigerian Navy Ranks
Nigerian Navy Ranks for Commissioned Officers
The Nigerian Navy commissioned officers are made up of 12 ranks, which are:
- Admiral of the Fleet
- Admiral
- Vice-Admiral
- Rear Admiral Commodore
- Captain
- Commander
- Lieutenant Commander
- Lieutenant
- Sub-Lieutenant
- Acting Sub-Lieutenant
- Mid-Shipman
Navy Rankings for Non-Commissioned Officers
The Nigerian Navy’s non-commissioned officers are made up of seven ranks, which are:
- Warrant Chief Petty Officer
- Chief Petty Officer
- Petty Officer
- Leading Rating
- Able Rating
- Ordinary Rating
- Trainee
Role of the Nigerian Navy
The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the Army and Air Force, is in charge of safeguarding Nigeria’s coastlines, maritime routes, and people. It also defends the waterways from illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration, as well as contributing to regional security and promoting global interests by:
- patrolling and responding to maritime emergencies
- having the potential to attack in a tactical strike
- ensuring the safety of shipping as well as maritime territories and assets, and
- Maritime intelligence gathering and analysis
- Safeguarding the oceans
- Maintaining the safety of the waters for shipping
The Nigerian Navy provides several services that are vital to the safety of shipping and people who engage in professional and leisure seagoing on a daily basis. These are some of them:
- nautical search and recovery services
- hydrogeological reviews for navigation purposes
- Anti-piracy actions
- meteorological support tasks, and
- Naval escort responsibilities
Nigerian Army
This is the land the largest among all the arm forces in Nigeria that are basically operating on land. The major formations of the Nigerian Army include the 1st Division, the 2nd Division, the 3rd Armoured Division, 81st Division, 82nd Division, and newly formed 8th, 7th and 6th, Divisions.
Nigerian Army Ranks
Nigerian Army Ranks for Commissioned Officers
The Nigerian Army commissioned officers is made up of 11 ranks which are:
- Field Marshal
- General
- Lieutenant General
- Major General
- Brigadier General
- Colonel
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Major Captain
- Lieutenant
- Second Lieutenant
Nigerian Army Ranking for Non-Commissioned Officers
The Nigerian army non-commissioned officers is made up of 8 ranks which are:
- Warrant Officer Class I
- Warrant Officer Class II
- Staff Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Lance-corporal
- Private
- Recruit
Role of the Nigerian Navy
The Nigerian Army is the backbone of the country’s land force. It helps in protecting Nigeria’s interests as part of a strong and united force, hinders threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty, and destroys them if needed.
They offer tremendous defense capabilities based on loyalty, bravery, humility, honesty, and competence, as well as the utilization of advanced weaponry, trucks, and weapons hardware.
In addition to defending the country, the Army assists with a wide range of missions both at home and abroad, including:
- assisting with global security and counter-terrorism efforts,
- defending national borders against unlawful entry and invasions,
- assisting humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, as well as
- assisting communities that have been impacted by natural disasters
Respect all over the men.
hello, please how do I become a lecturer in the Nigerian Defence academy or any of the military formation? I read accounting with multiple masters degree with Ph.D in different field
Plss I wanna join the tradesmen in Nigeria army with trade test 1 -3,and I also have modular certificate, apprenticeship certificate, O level… Plss wat rank am I gonna get and ow much will be my salary
I always pray to to be one of the force inshallah
my pleasure reading this but I must commend that this piece of information is way to good to go and I’ll try share this to appreciate your effort.
Nice information, I wish to join the army short service after the current government is due
thanks for sharing this information
The rank of Navy commodore is missing from the list pls.
My words 4u is 2 wish u all d best
I'm Alubankudi Gbolahan Yusuf. Professional in Mechanical Engineering. I really liked ARMY if you could grant me wish, with God I would do my best to support Nigeria. My greetings to all.
May allah help me an us fore the nex intake one time by the gress of (gog allah) amem an evry thing is time
I want to join Nigeria air force, please how can, I need a help, some friends are telling me to give the money for de to help me, is dat right??? Should I give de money? Please I need help.
Morah Song
Sylvanus USIJU James
my dream is to become a military officer.
may the lord permit me
i want to join the airforce. please how can you help me to be one