Nigerian Military Ranks and Symbols: A Guide
The Nigerian military is a respectable institution that protects Nigerian citizens and maintains the country’s sovereignty. The military has three service branches: the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigerian Air Force. Each branch has its own rank structure, uniform, and insignia. In this article, we will focus on the Nigerian Army ranks and symbols, and explain their meaning and significance.
Nigerian Army Ranks
The Nigerian Army ranks are divided into two categories: commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers. Commissioned officers are those who have received a commission from the President of Nigeria, while non-commissioned officers are those who have not. Commissioned officers are usually higher in rank and authority than non-commissioned officers.
Commissioned Officers
The commissioned officers of the Nigerian Army are as follows:
- Field Marshal: This is the highest and most difficult rank to attain in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by a golden eagle with a crown on its head and two crossed swords below it. No one has ever reached this rank in the history of the Nigerian Army.
- General: This is the second highest rank of commissioned officers. It is symbolized by a golden eagle with a crown on its head. The current Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, holds this rank.
- Lieutenant General: This is a three-star ranked commissioned officer in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by an eagle and two stars above it. The current Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, holds this rank.
- Major General: This is a two-star ranked commissioned officer in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by an eagle and a star above it. There are several Major Generals in the Nigerian Army, such as Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole.
- Brigadier General: This is a one-star ranked commissioned officer in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by an eagle above a sword crossed with a torch. There are many Brigadier Generals in the Nigerian Army, such as Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, the Director of Army Public Relations.
- Colonel: This is the highest senior officer rank in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by two eagles above a sword crossed with a torch. Colonels usually command battalions or brigades in the Nigerian Army.
- Lieutenant Colonel: This is the second highest senior officer rank in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by an eagle above a sword crossed with a torch. Lieutenant Colonels usually serve as deputy commanders or staff officers in battalions or brigades.
- Major: This is the third highest senior officer rank in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by a crown above a sword crossed with a torch. Majors usually command companies or platoons in the Nigerian Army.
- Captain: This is the fourth highest senior officer rank in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by three stars above a sword crossed with a torch. Captains usually serve as company or platoon commanders or staff officers in the Nigerian Army.
- Lieutenant: This is the fifth highest senior officer rank in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by two stars above a sword crossed with a torch. Lieutenants usually serve as platoon commanders or staff officers in the Nigerian Army.
- Second Lieutenant: This is the lowest commissioned officer rank in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by one star above a sword crossed with a torch. Second Lieutenants are usually fresh graduates from the Nigerian Defence Academy or other military training institutions.
Non-Commissioned Officers
The non-commissioned officers of the Nigerian Army are as follows:
- Army Warrant Officer: This is the highest non-commissioned officer rank in the Nigerian Army. It is symbolized by a golden eagle surrounded by an olive leaf-shaped golden