The Chief of Defence Staff is the highest ranking military officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces]. It is occupied by the most senior commissioned officer appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The position was established for the first time under Nigeria's 1979 constitution.

The Chief of Defence Staff reports to the commander-in-Chief with administrative supervision of the Honourable Minister of Defence. It is the duty and responsibility of the CDS to formulate and execute policies, programmes towards the highest attainment of National Security and operational competence of the Armed Forces namely; the Army, Navy and Air Force. The CDS is assisted by the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force Staff

Chief of Defense staff is an appointment by the No1 citizen of d country....and "might" not be the most senior commissioned officer I stand to be corrected....former CDS was an Airchief Marshal(Airchief Marshal Paul Dike) which I tink is d highest rank but d present CDS was an Air Marshal not yet a Airchief Marshal(Air Marshal Alex Badeh)....the picture below might be of help for d rank and file tho. #Mytake

noted..thanks

Prior to his appointment, he may not be the most senior but once appointed, the CDS is nearly always elevated to a rank above the Service Chiefs and he is the senior please. At anytime, the CDS is the most senior and he is the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff. The only thing is that in reality for Naija, the position no dey command troops oh. The real deal na Chief of Army Staff and thats why I was watching both the NSA and Chief of Army Staff appointments -no surprises at all!

zik4ever:
Prior to his appointment, he may not be the most senior but once appointed, the CDS is nearly always elevated to a rank above the Service Chiefs and he is the senior please. At anytime, the CDS is the most senior and he is the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff. The only thing is that in reality for Naija, the position no dey command troops oh. The real deal na Chief of Army Staff and thats why I was watching both the NSA and Chief of Army Staff appointments -no surprises at all!

haters who told you that;
anything done must pass throught the table of chief of defence staff that is why he is the highest ranking military officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces

zik4ever:
Prior to his appointment, he may not be the most senior but once appointed, the CDS is nearly always elevated to a rank above the Service Chiefs and he is the senior please. At anytime, the CDS is the most senior and he is the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff. The only thing is that in reality for Naija, the position no dey command troops oh. The real deal na Chief of Army Staff and thats why I was watching both the NSA and Chief of Army Staff appointments -no surprises at all!

u dont know wat u saying stop spewing thrash. he's the CDS commanding the army navy ad air force. they all report to him and then him with the defence minister to the president

topsyking:

haters who told you that;
anything done must pass throught the table of chief of defence staff that is why he is the highest ranking military officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces

Please what exactly have you said? You have ONLY affrimed what I said -that CDS is superior.

Anazp:
u dont know wat u saying stop spewing thrash. he's the CDS commanding the army navy ad air force. they all report to him and then him with the defence minister to the president

I fully agree with you and I also know what I am saying. CDS is the most senior and superior but go and dig into political history and find out from guys on the ground on how it works -there are unspoken vibes. Go into the history of coup making in Nigeria and you will know if push comes to shove whether it is better to have control of the Chief of Army Staff or CDS. In the real world of Nigeria, the C-in-C wont compromise the COAS but can allow a moderate to be CDS. COAS must be fiercely loyal. CDS for Naija na oga for name and salute!

zik4ever:

I fully agree with you and I also know what I am saying. CDS is the most senior and superior but go and dig into political history and find out from guys on the ground on how it works -there are unspoken vibes. Go into the history of coup making in Nigeria and you will know if push comes to shove whether it is better to have control of the Chief of Army Staff or CDS. In the real world of Nigeria, the C-in-C wont compromise the COAS but can allow a moderate to be CDS. COAS must be fiercely loyal. CDS for Naija na oga for ame and salute!

u have no idea about wat u saying. Abacha was CDS before he became head of state. he was CDS to Babaginda and Shonekan. wat the heck are u talking about. abdulsalami abubakar was also CDS before he became head of state

Anazp:
u have no idea about wat u saying. Abacha was CDS before he became head of state. he was CDS to Babaginda and Shonekan. wat the heck are u talking about. abdulsalami abubakar was also CDS before he became head of state

I wont drag with you - of course you are right but I very well know what I am saying. I wish we were speaking offline. We are on the same page. CDS is the oga no doubt about it. He is senior but I restate that depending on the character and government, always watch the COAS too. We all know Abacha and I may add Domkat Bali too were powerful CDS but go an ask any insider for insight on when Dambazzau was Chief of Army Staff under Yar'Adua. Men, that guy had powers. Who was the CDS then? I cant even remember. Do you know why Jonathan kept Ihejirika as COAS when he could have made him CDS and why the new COAS is from Borno State? I have no further comments. You take CDS and give me Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria. Have nice day.

zik4ever:

I wont drag with you - of course you are right but I very well know what I am saying. I wish we were speaking offline. We are on the same page. CDS is the oga no doubt about it. He is senior but I restate that depending on the character and government, always watch the COAS too. We all know Abacha and I may add Domkat Bali too were powerful CDS but go an ask any insider for insight on when Dambazzau was Chief of Army Staff under Yar'Adua. Men, that guy had powers. Who was the CDS then? I cant even remember. Do you know why Jonathan kept Ihejirika as COAS when he could have made him CDS and why the new COAS is from Borno State? I have no further comments. You take CDS and give me Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria. Have nice day.

and u think if dambazzau was CDS he wudnt have been successful with his plans? the CDS controls land air and sea. the three forces. of dambazzau was CDS u could guess what wud hav happened

zik4ever:

I wont drag with you - of course you are right but I very well know what I am saying. I wish we were speaking offline. We are on the same page. CDS is the oga no doubt about it. He is senior but I restate that depending on the character and government, always watch the COAS too. We all know Abacha and I may add Domkat Bali too were powerful CDS but go an ask any insider for insight on when Dambazzau was Chief of Army Staff under Yar'Adua. Men, that guy had powers. Who was the CDS then? I cant even remember. Do you know why Jonathan kept Ihejirika as COAS when he could have made him CDS and why the new COAS is from Borno State? I have no further comments. You take CDS and give me Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria. Have nice day.

dont want to speak offline with u and stop spamming my email

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