Nigerian Air Force Ranks According to Hierarchy

Nigerian Air Force Ranks According to Hierarchy

Nigerian Air Force Ranks: Hierarchy is found in every part of our everyday activities, thus man can never do without a hierarchical mentality. This is actually the reason we have a classed society, everyone belongs to a particular class. Do you know that the Nigerian Air Force has its own Rank based on hierarchy?

This article will give you the Complete Guide as regards the Nigerian Air Force Ranks According to Hierarchy. Read through carefully.

In modern usage, rank is a title insignia that defines the relative position of soldiers and officers in the military hierarchy.

Over the years, particularly in the sixties, observers of Nigerian military affairs may have noticed that ranks may be further qualified by phrases like ‘Acting’ Brigadier, ‘Temporary’ Major, ‘Substantive’ Lt. Colonel, ‘Local’ Captain, etc.

A Substantiverank e.g. S/Major is a legally confirmed and permanent rank with appropriate salary and perks.

• History of the Nigerian Air Force
• What is the Strength of the Nigerian Air Force?
• What are the Functions of the Nigerian Air Force?
• What is the Primary Role of the Nigerian Air Force?
• Nigerian Airforce Aims and Objectives
• Nigerian Airforce Salary Structure 2021
• Nigerian Airforce Commissioned Officers’ Salaries
• Nigerian Airforce Non-commissioned Officers’ Salaries
• The Nigerian Air Force Headquarters
• Nigerian Air Force Ranks According to Hierarchy
• Nigerian Air Force Ranks for Non-Commissioned Officers

An officer who holds an Acting rank temporarily enjoys the salary and perks of that rank, but can be reverted – without notice – to his previous rank by order.

During the civil war, for purposes of carrying out operations in specific locations (or to replace officer casualties) some NCOs and Officers were granted not only Acting ranks but also higher Local ranks, which were temporary like the Acting ranks but – theoretically – unpaid.

There have been other situations when such measures were taken.

History of the Nigerian Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force was founded 55 years ago with technical assistance from West Germany on April 18 1964.

It was formally established as the air branch of the Nigerian armed forces following the passage of the 1964 Air Force act.

With the motto “Willing… Able… Ready,” the Nigeria Air Force is unarguably one of the largest in Africa as they boast of over 10,000 commissioned and non-commissioned personnel.

The Nigerian Air Force also boasts of numerous aircraft including military transport aircraft, 12 Chinese ChengduF-7s, armed helicopters, 12 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, and 11 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jets.

The Nigerian Air Force has its headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and is headed by a Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the Air Staff, President Muhammadu Buhari, and Air Mashal Sadique Abubakar respectively.

What is the Strength of the Nigerian Air Force?

The strength of the Nigerian Air Force is in its personnel number and aircraft. Today the Nigerian Air Force boasts of over 18,500 personnel.

This number comprises of 15,900 Airmen and Airwomen as well as 2,600 officers.

What are the Functions of the Nigerian Air Force?

As a tactical Air Force, the Nigerian Air Force is organized to carry out;

• Air Defense
• Air Transport
• Counter Air Operations
• Close Air Support
• Interdiction
• Air Reece
• Maritime Operations

As a military organization, the Nigerian Air Force has a set of functions that are enshrined in its constitutions. These functions include;

1. To supply and train forces for special operations.
2. To endow and supply forces for air mobility.
3. To supply forces to defend the Nigerian Air space.
4. To train and supply forces for the execution of air combat operations.
5. To defend Nigeria where there is an air attack.
6. To supply forces for Joint Air Transported Operations.
7. To supply equipment for electronic war operations.
8. To Train and supply forces for Aerial Photography.
9. To train and supply forces for flight refuelling.
10. To develop in coordination with the procedure in Air Force operations.
11. To coordinate with other forces to defend the Airspace.

What is the Primary Role of the Nigerian Air Force?

Following the approval by the Nigerian parliament for the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force and recruitment of personnel in 1962, the Nigerian Air Force has four primary roles which are backed by the 1964 statutory act of Parliament. These roles include;

1. To ensure the fast versatile mobility of the Armed Forces.
2. To achieve a full complement of the military defence system of the Federal Republic of Nigeria both in the air and on the ground.
3. To give the country the deserved prestige that is invaluable in international matters.
4. To provide close support for the ground-based and seaborne forces in all phases of operations and to ensure the territorial integrity of a united Nigeria.

Following the Federal Government promulgated Decree 105 (Armed Forces Amendment Decree) in 1994 as a result of the Nigerian Air Force expansion; additional roles of the Nigerian Air Force were added. These additional roles include;

1. Enforcing and assisting in coordinating the enforcement of international law, conventions, practices, and customs ascribed and acceded to by Nigeria relating to aerial or space activities in the Nigerian Airspace.
2. Coordinating and enforcing all national and international air laws acceded or ascribed to by Nigeria.
3. Delineating, demarcating, and coordinating all serial surveys and security zones of the Nigerian airspace.

Nigerian Airforce Aims and Objectives

• To give the country the deserved prestige that is invaluable in international matters.
• To provide close support for the ground-based and seaborne forces in all phases of operations and to ensure the territorial integrity of a united Nigeria.
• To ensure the fast versatile mobility of the Armed Forces.
• To achieve a full complement of the military defence system of the Federal Republic of Nigeria both in the air and on the ground.

In the last 45 years, the NAF has recorded many positives and achievements especially in its involvement in operations to defend the Nigerian territory. From lifting troops via air, logistics supply, and thug combat operations including peacekeeping missions.

As usual, there is also active collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the aviation sector, to provide low-level air defence for airports around the country.

Nigerian Airforce Salary Structure 2021

The new salaries of the Nigerian Air Force are based on the Consolidate Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) as with all other arms of the Nigerian Military.

The Nigerian Air Force Airmen and Airwomen earn good salaries also, but not as high as the commissioned officers especially those who are graduates with B.sc and other university degrees.

Nigerian Airforce Commissioned Officers’ Salaries

• Air Chief Marshal: N1,724,283
• Air Marshal: 1,486,451
• Air Vice-Marshal: N1,376,343
• Air Commodore: N677,895
• Group Captain: N352,631
• Wing Commander: N342,586
• Squadron Leader: N248,004
• Flight Lieutenant: N232,484
• Flying Officer: N218,400
• Pilot Officer: N187,159

Nigerian Airforce Non-commissioned Officers’ Salaries

• Air Warrant Officer: N171,793 per month
• Master Warrant Officer: N165,697 per month
• Warrant Officer: N101,974 per month
• Flight Sergeant: N87,119 per month
• Sergeant: N69,261 per month
• Corporal: N58,634 per month
• Lance Corporal: N55,832 per month
• Aircraftman: N53,892 per month
• Cadet (Trainee): N44,564 per month

The Nigerian Air Force Headquarters

The Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force is made up of nine staff branches which makes policies for the NAF. These nine staff branches include the following:

• Policy and Plans
• Training and Operations
• Aircraft Engineering
• Logistics and Communications
• Administration
• Standards and Evaluations
• Air Secretary
• Accounts and Budget, and
• Medical Services.

Every one of the above staff branches is headed by a Branch Chief who is directly responsible to the Chief of Air Staff. The Branch Chiefs are assisted by several directors and staff officers.

Nigerian Air Force Ranks According to Hierarchy

Following two years of quiet preparations, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was formally established by an act of Parliament in 1964.  Initial training and military acculturation occurred under the tutelage of the Ethiopian, Canadian, Indian and German Air Forces.

Until 1976, it used Army-style ranks.   With minor modification, it now uses Royal Air Force rank titles.

The present ‘harmonized’ NAF rank structure (from bottom-up) is as follows www.naf.gov.ng

Airmen

• Aircraftman/woman
• Lance Corporal
• Corporal
• Sergeant
• Flight Sergeant
• Warrant Officer
• Master Warrant Officer
• Air Warrant Officer

Related Post – Nigerian Army Ranks and Symbols: See Complete Information

Officers

• Pilot Officer
• Flying Officer
• Flight Lieutenant
• Squadron Leader
• Wing Commander
• Group Captain
• Air Commodore
• Air Vice-Marshal
• Air Marshal
• Air Chief Marshal
• Marshal of the Air Force

Nigerian Air Force Ranks for Non-commissioned Officers

There are 9 ranks in the Nigerian Airforce for non-commissioned officers. They are listed below:

1. Air Warrant Officer
2. Master Warrant Officer
3. Warrant Officer
4. Flight Sergeant
5. Sergeant
6. Corporal
7. Lance-Corporal
8. Aircraftman
9. Recruit

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