Nigerian Army Ranks, Symbols And Salary
The Nigerian Army is the land force of Nigeria’s military, tracing its origins to British colonial forces in West Africa. After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the army expanded from 8,000 troops to over 120,000 during the Nigerian Civil War.
Today, the Nigerian Army is the largest part of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with a strength of around 160,000 personnel.
It is responsible for defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, maintaining territorial integrity, and assisting civil authorities during emergencies. The army is led by the Chief of Army Staff and governed by the Nigerian Army Council.
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Structure Of The Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army is organized in a hierarchy to ensure effective command and smooth operations. At the top is the President of Nigeria, who acts as the Commander-in-Chief.
Directly below the President is the Chief of Defence Staff, who oversees all branches of the military. Under him is the Chief of Army Staff, responsible for all army operations. However, the army is divided into ten divisions, each covering a specific area of Nigeria.
These divisions are:
- 1st Division (Kaduna)
- 2nd Division (Ibadan)
- 3rd Armoured Division (Jos)
- 6th Amphibious Division (Port Harcourt)
- 7th Infantry Division (Maiduguri)
- 8th Division (Sokoto)
- 81st Division (Amphibious, Lagos)
- 82nd Division (Airborne and Amphibious, Enugu)
Each division has several brigades. Brigades are further broken down into battalions, which are split into companies and then platoons.
Apart from divisions, the Nigerian Army also has different corps and departments for specialized tasks. Key corps include the Infantry Corps, Armoured Corps, Artillery Corps, and Medical Corps. There are also departments like Army Logistics and Civil-Military Affairs.
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Categories Of Ranks In The Nigerian Army And Symbol
The Nigerian Army is divided into two main categories of ranks: Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs). Each category has its ranks, duties, and symbols.
1. Commissioned Officers
Commissioned Officers are leaders who make strategic decisions and command large units. They are usually graduates of military academies like the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Here are their ranks from lowest to highest:
| Rank | Insignia | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant | One silver star | Leads a platoon or section |
| Lieutenant | Two silver stars | Commands a platoon or works as a staff officer |
| Captain | Three silver stars | Commands a company or serves as second-in-command of a battalion |
| Major | An eagle with a star | Commands a battalion or works in operations and training |
| Lieutenant Colonel | An eagle and a star | Commands a regiment or is the executive officer of a brigade |
| Colonel | An eagle with two stars | In charge of major operations or serves as chief of staff at the division or brigade level |
| Brigadier General | An eagle with three stars | Commands a brigade or assists in the division |
| Major General | An eagle with a baton and sword | Commands a division or is the deputy corps commander |
| Lieutenant General | An eagle with a star, baton, and sword | Leads the Army or a corps, or is the deputy chief of Army staff |
| General | An eagle, two stars, a baton, and a sword | The highest active rank with major responsibilities |
2. Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
NCOs are vital for direct leadership and operational management. They rise through the ranks from Private Soldiers based on their skills and experience. Their ranks from lowest to highest are:
| Rank | Insignia | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit/Trainee | None | Recruits in basic training |
| Private Soldier | None specific | Performs basic duties and follows orders |
| Lance Corporal | One shoulder mark | Leads a small team |
| Corporal | Two shoulder marks | Commands a section or squad |
| Sergeant | Three shoulder marks | Commands a troop or squad |
| Staff Sergeant | Three shoulder marks with an eagle | Assists senior officers or platoon sergeants |
| Warrant Officer Class II (WO2) | Golden eagle surrounded by olive leaves | Manages critical administrative tasks |
| Warrant Officer Class I (WO1) | Higher insignia than WO2 | Oversees discipline and training of lower NCOs |
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Salary Structure of the Nigerian Army
The salary structure of the Nigerian Army is set up to pay personnel based on their rank, years of service, and educational background. This structure is managed by the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
Salaries For Commissioned Officers
Commissioned Officers are usually university graduates and earn more than Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs). Here’s how much they make each month:
| Rank | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| General | ₦1,500,000 |
| Lieutenant General | ₦1,000,000 |
| Major General | ₦950,000 |
| Brigadier General | ₦750,000 |
| Colonel | ₦550,000 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₦350,000 |
| Major | ₦300,000 |
| Captain | ₦220,000 |
| Lieutenant | ₦180,000 |
| Second Lieutenant | ₦120,000 |
Salaries For Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
NCOs usually join the army with a secondary school certificate and earn less than Commissioned Officers. Their monthly salaries are:
| Rank | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Army Warrant Officer | ₦180,000 |
| Master Warrant Officer | ₦120,000 |
| Warrant Officer Class II | ₦95,000 |
| Sergeant | ₦70,000 |
| Staff Sergeant | ₦80,000 |
| Corporal | ₦60,000 |
| Lance Corporal | ₦57,000 |
| Private Soldier | ₦50,000 |
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