Military of Nigeria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Military of Nigeria - Active duty personnel in the three Nigerian armed services total approximately 76,000.

The Nigerian Army Emblem

The Nigerian Army, the largest of the services, has about 60,000 personnel deployed in the 1st and 2nd Mechanized Infantry Divisions (located in Kaduna and Ibadan), 3rd Armoured Division (Jos), 81st Division, Lagos (Amphibious), 82nd Division (Airborne and Amphibious), and the Abuja-based Guards Brigade. There are also Divisional Artillery Brigades, as well as Combat Engineer Regiments spread all over the country. It has demonstrated its capability to mobilize, deploy, and sustain brigades in support of peacekeeping operations in Liberia, former Yugoslavia, Angola, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sierra Leone. The operation in Liberia (ECOMOG) is viewed as one of the best examples of gallantry by the Armed Forces.

The Nigerian Navy command structure consists of the Naval Headquarters based in Abuja, 2 operational commands with headquarters in Lagos and Calabar, 2 training commands with headquarters in Lagos but with training facilities spread all over Nigeria, 4 operational bases, 5 forward operational bases (with 2 more soon to come on stream), 2 dockyards located in Lagos and Port Harcourt and 2 fleets based in Lagos and Calabar.

The commander of the Nigerian Navy is Vice Admiral GTA Adekeye, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). He is assisted by 7 principal staff officers at the Headquarters known as Branch Chiefs. The PSOs are: Rear Admiral GSA Ombo, The Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral M Ajadi, the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral G O Akpolo, the Chief of Logistics, Rear Admiral D Alabi, the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Rear Admiral SU Umosen, the Chief of Administration, Rear Admiral A Odejimi, the Chief of Naval Engineering and Rear Admiral BA Raji, the Navy Secretary.

Each of the Branch consists of Directorates. The Administration Branch, for instance, consists of Directorate of Education (headed by Cdre SEA Olamilokun) and Directorate of Medical Services (headed by Cdre K Ibe Lambert).

The commands are under the flag officers commanding. Rear Admiral II Ibrahim commands the Western Naval Command while Rear Admiral SB Adeniyi commands the Eastern Naval Command. The Naval Training Command is commanded by Rear Admiral FD Akpan while Rear Admiral Idrisu is the Flag Officer Sea Training.

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The Nigerian Air Force Emblem

The Nigerian Air Force (9,000) flies transport, trainer, helicopter, and fighter aircraft, but most are fully operational. Nigeria also has pursued a policy of developing domestic training and military production capabilities. Nigeria has continued a strict policy of diversification in her military procurement from various countries.