Nigerian Army Ranks, Symbols and Salary Structure (Updated List of Officers and Insignia)

The Nigerian Army is one of the three services of the Nigerian Armed Forces, alongside the Navy and Air Force. 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 Army ranks, symbols, and their salaries, check out this article.

The Nigerian Armed Forces (NAF) is responsible for protecting citizens from internal and external threats and maintaining the country's structural integrity. 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 country's security and offer rescue if necessary.

Nigerian Air Force: It provides air support, cargo transportation and other air missions.

The army is one of the toughest defence forces on the continent. The Nigerian Army headquarters is at the 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 to 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 gold.

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.

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.