Nigerian Military Ranks and How to Become a Member

Since its inception in 1958, the Nigerian Armed Forces has been involved in a civil war- the conflict with Biafra that lasted from 1967 – 1970, sent peacekeeping forces abroad as the main force of the ECOMOG (ECOWAS Monitoring Group) in Liberia. The Nigerian military has also committed coups twice (1966 and 1983).

Nigerian Military Ranks and How to Join any of The Military

The Nigerian Military is divided into service branches of the Nigerian Army (NA), the Nigerian Air force (NAF) and the

Nigerian Navy (NN).

The Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces is the serving President of Nigeria at any given time while the Defence Minister and Chief of Defence staff are appointed officers.

The duties of any country’s armed forces are entrenched in her Constitution. Section 217-220 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria addresses the Nigerian Armed Forces:

• (1) There shall be an armed forces for the Federation which shall consist of an army, a navy, an air force, and such other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.
• (2) The Federation shall, subject to an Act of the National Assembly made in that behalf, equip and maintain the armed forces as may be considered adequate and effective for the purpose of –
• (a) defending Nigeria from external aggression;
• (b) maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air;
• (c) 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.
• (d) Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly.
• (3) The composition of the officer corps and other ranks of the armed forces of the Federation shall reflect the federal character of Nigeria.

THE NIGERIAN NAVY

The Nigerian Navy (NN) is the sea division of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Nigerian Navy command comprises of the three operational commands with headquarters in Lagos, Calabar and Bayelsa and the Naval Headquarters in Abuja. The Nigerian Navy has training facilities spread all over Nigeria but the Training command’s headquarters are located in Lagos.

Ranks

1. Admiral of the Fleet
2. Admiral
3. Vice-Admiral
4. Rear Admiral Commodore
5. Captain
6. Commander
7. Lieutenant Commander
8. Lieutenant
9. Sub-Lieutenant
10. Acting Sub-Lieutenant
11. Mid-Shipman

(Arranged from the Highest ranking Officer to the lowest ranking officer)

How to join the Nigerian Navy

The Nigerian Navy has two recruitment processes – the general recruitment process for General Recruitment which is usually for those who are yet to attend the University or is yet to complete their NYSC and another process for its direct short service course (DSSC) both of which have different requirements.

STEP ONE: Visit the official website of the Nigerian Navy http://www.navy.mil.ng/ or the registration portal www.joinnigeriannavy.com

The general requirement to join the General Recruitment includes:

• Male applicants must not be less than 1.65 metres tall while female applicants must not be less than 1.62 metres tall.
• A minimum of 5 credits in not more than 2 sittings in WASSCE, GCE, NECO or NABTEB (English and Mathematics inclusive).
• Applicants must be between the ages of 18 – 23 years, while 24 – 26 years are the acceptable limit for those with OND, NCE, Nurses and Motor Transport Department (MTD) respectively, by 31st December of the year of application.

The general requirement for the Nigerian Navy DSS (Direct Short Service) includes:

• Applicants who obtained credentials from foreign institutions should ensure that the certificates are authenticated by the Federal Ministry of Education.
• ​Applicants must possess NYSC Discharge Certificate or letter of exemption from NYSC.
• ​Applicants must possess the National ID Card or National ID Card Acknowledgment slip.
• ​Male applicants must not be less than 1.65 metres tall while female applicants must not be less than 1.62 metres tall.
• Applicants should be between 22 and 28 years of age by 31st December of the year of application, except Chaplains and Imams who should not be more than 30 years.

NIGERIAN ARMY

The Nigerian Army (NA) is the land branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Major formations include the 1st Division, the 2nd Division, the 3rd Armoured Division, 81st Division, 82nd Division, and newly formed 7th Division which was formed in August 2013 to combat the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

NIGERIAN ARMY RANKS IN NIGERIA

The complete ranking order of the Nigerian Army is listed below.

1. Field Marshal
2. General
3. Lieutenant General
4. Major General
5. Brigadier General
6. Colonel
7. Lieutenant Colonel
8. Major Captain
9. Lieutenant
10. Second Lieutenant

Nigerian Army Ranks for non-commissioned officers

There are 8 ranks in the Nigerian Army for non-commissioned officers. They are listed below

1. Warrant Officer Class I
2. Warrant Officer Class II
3. Staff Sergeant
4. Sergeant
5. Corporal
6. Lance-corporal
7. Private
8. Recruit

HOW TO JOIN THE NIGERIAN ARMY

If you wish to join the Nigerian Army, here’s all you need to know,

STEP ONE: Visit the official website of the Nigerian Army http://www.army.mil.ng or the registration portal http://recruitment.army.mil.ng

General Requirement:

• Applicants shall be of Nigerian origin by birth and possess National Identity card.
• Applicants must possess a minimum of 4 credits in not more than 2 sittings in WASSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB. One of the credits must be in English language.
• In addition, Tradesmen & Women Applicants must also possess OND/Trade Test/City and Guild certificate
• Applicants must be medically, physically, and psychologically fit and must not be less than 1.68 meters tall for male and 1.62 meters tall for female.
• Applicants must print their completed online forms, attest it and submit it at the examination recruitment centres during the screening exercise period.
• Knowledge of additional Nigerian Languages other than mother tongue is an added advantage

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE (NAF)

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) established in April 1964 is the air support of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is one of the largest in Africa, consisting of about 10,000 personnel and aircraft.

The Nigerian Air Force Ranks

The Nigerian Air force ranks includes

1. Marshal of the Nigerian Air Force
2. Air Chief Marshal
3. Air Marshal
4. Air Vice-Marshal
5. Air Commodore
6. Group Captain
7. Wing Commander
8. Squadron Leader
9. Flight Lieutenant
10. Flying Officer
11. Pilot Officer

HOW TO JOIN THE NIGERIAN AIRFORCE

STEP ONE: Visit the official website of the Nigerian Air force on http://www.airforce.mil.ng

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. 1. Nationality: Applicant must be of Nigerian origin.
   2. Age: Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 22 years for non-tradesmen/women, 17 and 24 years for tradesmen/women by 31 December 2016. Those applying as drivers must be between the ages of 18 and 28 years by 31 December of the year of registration.
   3. Marital Status: All applicants must be single.
   4. Height: Minimum height is 1.68 meters or 5.5ft for males and 1.65m or 5.4ft for females.
   5. Medical Fitness: All applicants must be medically fit and meet the Nigerian Air Force medical and employment standards.

Some others Nigeria military force include the custom and others but on this post this are the list of Nigeria military we are able to cover.

This is the Nigeria military forces including their ranks and how to join the Nigerian military easily. Take note that this article is for information purpose only.