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Nigerian Military Ranks
The Nigerian Army has 19 ranks — 11 officer and 8 enlisted — from Private up to Field marshal. Below: all 58 ranks across 3 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force), with insignia and NATO-code equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
58
Active personnel
143K
Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field marshal |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| General |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Lieutenant general |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Major general |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Brigadier-general |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Colonel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Lieutenant colonel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Captain |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Second lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Army warrant officer |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Master warrant officer |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Warrant officer |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Staff sergeant |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Corporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Lance corporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Private | OR-1 | Private |
Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral of the Fleet |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Admiral |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Vice admiral |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Rear admiral |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Commodore |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Captain |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Commander |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Lieutenant commander |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Sub-lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Midshipman |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Navy warrant officer | OR-9 | Sergeant Major | |
| Master warrant officer |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Warrant officer | OR-8 | 1st Sergeant | |
| Chief petty officer | OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class | |
| Petty officer |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Leading seaman |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Able seaman | OR-3 | Private 1st Class | |
| Seaman | OR-2 | Private | |
| Ordinary seaman | OR-1 | Private |
Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshal of the air force |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Air chief marshal |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Air marshal |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Air vice-marshal |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Air commodore |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Group captain |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Wing commander |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Squadron leader |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Flight lieutenant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Flying officer |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Pilot officer |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Air warrant officer | OR-9 | Sergeant Major | |
| Master warrant officer |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Warrant officer |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Flight sergeant |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Corporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Lance corporal |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Aircraftman | OR-1 | Private |
Overview
- Nigerian Army: Headquartered at the Armed Forces Complex in Abuja, the branch conducts land-based operations, territorial defense, and counter-insurgency campaigns. It is operationally divided into ten divisions, including mechanized infantry, armored, and composite formations, to address domestic security challenges and cross-border operations. The professional head of the service is the Chief of Army Staff.
- Nigerian Navy: Headquartered in Abuja, the branch conducts maritime defense, exclusive economic zone policing, and anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea. Its operational structure comprises the Western, Central, and Eastern Naval Commands, alongside specialized Training, Logistics, and Special Operations Commands. The service operates a fleet of offshore patrol vessels, fast attack crafts, and landing ships under the Chief of the Naval Staff.
- Nigerian Air Force: Headquartered in Abuja, the branch conducts tactical air support, aerial reconnaissance, and combat operations in support of joint military objectives. Its organizational structure consists of six main commands: Tactical Air, Special Operations, Mobility, Air Training, Ground Training, and Logistics Commands. The service operates a fleet of multirole fighters, combat helicopters, and transport aircraft directed by the Chief of the Air Staff.
Nigeria Military
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