Nigerian Army ranks, symbols, and salaries: top facts and details
The Nigerian military is a respectable establishment that protects Nigerian citizens. Becoming an armed forces member is a dignifying goal for anyone who wants to serve their country. If you want to know more about the Nigerian military, and specifically the army, check out this article on the Nigerian Army ranks and symbols.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Nigerian Army ranks, symbols, and salaries
- Nigerian Army salary structure
- Does Nigeria have a strong army?
- Who has the highest military rank in Nigeria?
- How can you check the rank in the Nigerian Army?
- Who controls Nigeria's military?
- What are the 13 ranks in the military?
- What is a 3 star in the Nigerian Army?
- What is the structure of the Nigerian Army?
- What are the Nigerian Navy ranks from the lowest to the highest?
Key takeaways
- Nigeria became independent in 1960 and renamed the Nigerian Military Force (NMF) the Royal Nigerian Army (RNA).
- The Nigerian Army ranks, uniforms, and instruments also changed in 1960. As a result, the army is part of the Nigerian Armed Forces (NAF).
- The Nigerian Armed Forces comprises the Nigerian Airforce, Army, and Navy.
Nigerian Army ranks, symbols, and salaries
The Nigerian Armed Forces (NAF) is responsible for protecting citizens from internal and external threats and maintaining the structural integrity of the country. NAF has three service branches, as explained below.
- Nigerian Army: It is responsible for maintaining peace on the land, enforcing the law and controlling humanitarian missions;
- Nigerian Navy: It operates in the open waters to assure the security of the country and offer rescue if necessary;
- Nigerian Airforce: It provides air support, cargo transportation and other air missions.
NAF is one of the toughest defence forces on the continent. The Nigerian Army headquarters is located at Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Discover the Nigerian Army ranks, symbols, and salary structure below.
Nigerian Army ranks and logo (insignia)
The Nigerian Army has a very defined rank structure, where every position has its meaning, status and signs.
By looking at a soldier's uniform, you can tell who they are and what they do (and even how much they earn). Learn all about the Nigerian Army ranks and salary structure below.
Nigerian Army ranks for non-commissioned officers
Here is the list of ranks in the Nigerian Army for non-commissioned officers in ascending order:
- Recruit/Trainee - It is the lowest rank in the Nigerian Army. The rank is for recruits who do not have insignia. Prospective trainees can visit the Nigerian Army recruitment portal for recruitment. Sometimes, a trainee might get one shoulder mark.
- Private Soldier - This is the second rank after the trainee position.
- Lance Corporal - This is slightly higher than the recruit/trainee position but the second lowest officer rank. A Lance Corporal receives a one-shoulder mark.
- Corporal - A Corporal has two shoulder marks and oversees a troop's body.
- Sergeant - A Sergeant gets three shoulder marks and is a junior non-commissioned officer.
- Staff Sergeant- This is a senior non-commissioned rank. A Staff Sergeant has three shoulder marks and a golden eagle on top.
- Warrant Officer/Sergeant First Class - Its insignia is the golden eagle surrounded by a matching golden crown made of olive leaves. A Warrant Officer is an assistant of the Master Sergeant.
- Master Warrant Officer/Master Sergeant - These Nigerian Army officers rank highest among the non-commissioned officers and are in charge of military equipment. The insignia of the Master Warrant Officer/Master Sergeant is the Nigerian Coat Of Arms, where the horses are silver and the rest is golden.
Source: UGC
Nigerian Army ranks for commissioned officers
These are the Army ranks for commissioned officers in Nigeria in ascending order of power and responsibility.
- Second Lieutenant - A Second Lieutenant has one silver star (a six-pointed star) on each shoulder. The word ‘lieutenant’ means ‘substitute.’
- First Lieutenant- This officer has two vertically aligned silver stars on the shoulders. A First Lieutenant is the Captain's deputy.
- Captain - A Captain gets three vertically aligned silver stars on the shoulders. This is the highest rank among the tactical troop organisations.
- Major - A Major has a silver eagle on each shoulder. It is among the lowest field officer ranks in the Nigerian Army.
- Lieutenant Colonel - A Lieutenant Colonel is the Colonel's deputy. The officer wears a vertically aligned silver star and a silver eagle on each shoulder. This is a mid-level rank among the field officers.
- Colonel - A Colonel has two silver stars and a silver eagle (all vertically aligned) on each shoulder. The officer is at the top of the field officer hierarchy and the bottom of the commissioned officer hierarchy. In addition, the Colonel is responsible for the regiments.
- Brigadier General - These officers are in charge of brigades. A Brigadier General wears three silver stars on each shoulder. The stars form a triangle with a silver eagle on top.
- Major General - A Major General is a mid-level commissioned officer rank. The officer has a golden emblem of the crossed sword and baton below a golden eagle on each shoulder.
- Lieutenant General - It is the third highest rank in the Nigerian Army. Lieutenant Generals have the vertically aligned emblem of the crossed sword and baton, a star and an eagle, all in gold and on the shoulders.
- The General - The officer wears a vertically aligned crossed sword and baton, two stars and the eagle, all in gold and on both shoulders. It is the second-highest rank in the Nigerian Army.
- Army Field Marshal/General of the Army - This is the highest rank in the Nigerian Army. An Army Field Marshal should wear an emblem of the crossed sword and baton surrounded by two branches and an eagle on top, all in gold and on both shoulders.
What does the Nigerian Army flag mean?
The Nigerian Army has a flag with deep meaning. The flag has an eagle on top of a shaded six-pointed star with Arabic writing on the red-black-red backdrop. Here are their meanings:
- The eagle stands for the grace and power of the army. Like an eagle, the army keeps watch in times of peace and strikes the enemies with frightening precision in times of war.
- The star represents the unity of Nigeria, created in 1914. What seems like a shadow is a black star merged with the yellow one. The two stars stand for the Southern and Northern Protectorates united to create Nigeria.
- The Arabic writing is the Nigerian Army's motto. It means Victory Comes from God Alone.
- Red stands for the enemy forces, and it is customary in NATO to use this colour in the military elements.
- Black represents the cavalry and other troops.
Source: UGC
What is the order of ranks in the Nigerian Army?
Commissioned officers in the army are above the non-commissioned officers. These are the ranks of Nigerian army officers from the lowest to the highest.
- Recruit
- Private Soldier
- Lance Corporal
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Staff Sergeant
- Warrant Officer
- Master Warrant Officer
- Second Lieutenant
- First Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier General
- Major General
- Lieutenant General
- The General
- Army Field Marshal/Commander-in-chief
Nigerian Army salary structure
There are different remuneration packages for different ranks in the Nigerian army. On average, Nigerian military officers earn between N45,000 to N1.5 million.
The wage increases as the soldier moves up the ranks. Note that these are approximated figures as the actual ones are yet to be confirmed in the public domain.
| Commissioned officers | Monthly salary | Non-commissioned officers | Monthly salary |
| The General | ₦1,500,000 | Master Warrant Officer | ₦90,000 |
| Lieutenant General | ₦1,000,00 | Warrant Officer | ₦80,000 |
| Major General | ₦950,000 | Staff Sergeant | ₦68,000 |
| Brigadier General | ₦750,000 | Sergeant | ₦63,000 |
| Colonel | ₦550,000 | Corporal | ₦58,000 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₦350,000 | Lance Corporal | ₦54,000 - ₦55,000 |
| Major | ₦300,000 | Private Soldier | ₦48,000 - ₦49,000 |
| Captain | ₦220,000 | ||
| Lieutenant | ₦180,000 | ||
| Second Lieutenant | ₦120,000 |
Does Nigeria have a strong army?
Nigeria is considered to have a strong military within Africa and ranks high globally.
Who has the highest military rank in Nigeria?
The Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is at the top of all military ranks in Nigeria. Currently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds the ultimate authority over the military and sets defence policy.
How can you check the rank in the Nigerian Army?
You can differentiate Nigeria's army ranks for non-commissioned and commissioned officers by checking the logos and symbols they wear on their uniforms (the shoulders).
Who controls Nigeria's military?
The President of Nigeria holds the ultimate authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He ensures the military remains subordinate to the elected government. The day-to-day operations are overseen by the Chief of Defence Staff, who is the highest-ranking military officer.
What are the 13 ranks in the military?
The 13 enlisted ranks in the USA military are private, private second class, private first class, specialist, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, sergeant first class, master sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major, command sergeant major, and sergeant major of the Army.
What is a 3 star in the Nigerian Army?
In the Nigerian Army, a 3-star rank is that of a Lieutenant General.
What is the structure of the Nigerian Army?
The Nigerian Army comprises non-commissioned and commissioned officers. Check out the ranking above.
What are the Nigerian Navy ranks from the lowest to the highest?
The ranks for non-commissioned Navy officers from the highest to the lowest are Warrant Chief Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Leading Rating, Able Rating, Ordinary Rating, and Trainee.
On the other hand, the ranks for commissioned Navy officers from the highest to the lowest are Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral, Vice-Admiral, Commodore, Captain, Commander, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant, Acting Sub-Lieutenant, and Mid-Shipman.
Nigerian Army ranks provide an orderly leadership system that indicates each soldier's level of expertise, responsibility, and authority in the military. The ranks also instill discipline and the notion of duty and responsibility among the soldiers.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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