win2kwire:


The COAS is ONLY one of the main deal in the chain of command, the loyalty of all divisions of the Army is to the people of Nigeria THROUGH the COAS, CDS, defence minister and President.


The COAS can issue APPROVED ORDERS to move troops & rotate Brigade and battalion commanders as at when he feels necessary (but must memo defence ministry), GOC appointments is at higher level but the COAS announces it when approved!

The CDS is NOT a ceremonial head to coordinate joint ops within the DHQ, the CDS is the principal commander for administration, morale, discipline and budget for the ARMED FORCES!!!

The COAS is NOT more critical than the CDS, the commander of the ARMED FORCES (aka CDS) is more HOLLISTIC in considering the combined forces strategy and operational abilities. The COAS is a commander of AN ARM of the defence forces, he does not have oversight of all Forces (army, Navy, air force - the CDS does)

COAS does not command troops, he issues orders to direct reporting units (GOC, Brigade, Battalion) ONCE appoved by the president and Defence HQ which the CDS is part of)

Hierachy =
Highest - President
2nd DHQ - (CDS, Defence minister, minister of state)
3rd - COAS, CNS, CAS

On point!!

What ur saying is pure text book stuff, but in practice the powers of the COAS are overwhelming & for GOCs is purely for the COAS, they are his main men, that is why we have redeployment when a new chief is appointed, do u knw that at a point in this country a certain COAS ran the affairs of this country, as far as appointing CDI, as well as deploying troops even before DHQ clearance, do u knw Gen. IHEJIRIKA, why do u think if there is a coup scare, only the assurance of the COAS is important**

Longman6:


Yes they would, infact the present NSA Advisor is a retired Major-General, the CDS, and Burtai, report to him. Not even the Minister of Defence has the power at his disposal. In the US only the smartest of individuals: professors, ex military guys, diplomat become NSA, google the NSA and you would know what am saying, Its purely an intellectual position in saner climes. A good NSA adviser would stop the Biafra movement before it started without the army shooting a gun, he would know that solving the Boko haram problem can be archieved through creating employment which would inturn limit the number of recruits available for Boko Haram, he would know that education is needed to solve the problem totally.

only the finest of men become NSA in China, us,UK and France.

In Nigeria here are some of the power he has
1 He can see the president at any fuuuuuking time nobody can stop him.
2 His appointment is not confirmed by anybody.
3 only the president can order his arrest:he knows to much, for instance Sambo wasnt sacked immediately Buhari came into power, and only the president can give orders for his investigation
4 His budgetary allocation isnt even under the juridiction of the Minister of Finance or CBN governor(Okonjo IWEAlLA cont question Dasuki's request), he could demand any amount from the treasury as long as the president assets to it.
5 He has the finest Millitary men at his disposal inform of special units who answer to no one except himself and the president.
6 He over see's all arms procurement for the millitary.
7 He is the last stop in all matters concerning security before the president.
8 He answers to no one except the president

In the US, the NSA is supported by Four(not sure) assistant NSA who have experience in different sector, he cordinates the powerful National Security Agency,CIA, FBI and other government agencies...

The CDS, and Burtai, DO NOT report to the NSA, they advise him on state security matters within their roles which he then briefs the president on.

The Minister of Defence is a more powerful role because he actually has the resources to intervene militarily in security information gathering and operations!

The NSA by virtue of his direct reporting capabilities to the president uses it to influence not only security matters but also defence due to the interloping roles! He could advice the president on something that will become a direct order to the defence chiefs. He could also use his briefs to indict military and defence chiefs.

The service chiefs report into DHQ directly and to the president depending on the issues' importance and priorities!

MANY NSA ACTUALLY WANT TO END UP AS DEFENCE MINISTERS (cabinet level job)

On occasion, the president might assign the role of specific budget and co-ordinating task to the NSA in which case the DHQ will report to him on those specifics - like the boko haram issue and DASUKI billion dollar weapons program!

The NSA DOES not oversee all arms procurement for the military - your Nigerian mentality kicked in here due to Dasuki matter!

The Service chiefs brief the DHQ on their requirements (upkeep, ordinance, welfare, administration costs etc.) and the DHQ includes it in the annual defence budget request to the presidency. What the NSA can do is ask for additions for special operations (boko haram) and ad-hoc contingencies!

He is NOT last stop in all matters concerning security before the president, the NSA is a co-ordinator of security but he is not the only security apparatus directly available and reporting to the president. The president gets security briefs from Embassies, spy chiefs, DHQ, SSS, DIA and others directly which are also sometimes shared with the NSA depending on for whose ears ONLY!

HeGeMon:
What ur saying is pure text book stuff, but in practice the powers of the COAS is overwhelming & for GOCs is purely for the COAS, they are his main men, that is why we have redeployment when a new chief is appointed, do u knw that at a point in this country a certain COAS ran the affairs of this country, as far as appointing CDI, as well as deploying troops even before DHQ clearance, do u knw Gen. IHEJIRIKA, why do u think if there is a coup scare, only the assurance of the COAS is important**

The power of the COAS is overwhelming & for GOCs are purely for the COAS,
-----YES within the direct reporting and administration context!
-----NO GOC can carry out operations without the approval of DHQ which the CDS is part of, unless in coup situation!

Redeployment when a new chief is appointed is purely an exercise for COAS to demand loyalty, appoint his trusted associates and to remove any security threats
----- IT must be approved by the DHQ

Yes! at a point in this country a certain COAS ran the affairs of this country, as far as appointing CDI - Only happens in coup, power struggle, tribalism, incompetence situations.
---It cannot happen in the current structure unless Buhari and mansur dan ali are playing Hausa/Fulani hegemony politics or prefential treatment again!

cogsej06:


On point!!

Minister of Defence is higher than CDS and not the other way round. Stop confusing people.

Honestly I don't know there differences before...now I know

None is superior to the other. One is Administration(Planning) and the other is Operation (Control)-The two Arms of The Presidency in Defence

tdayof:


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 other Service Chiefs.


The chief of defense commands all troops under any of the armed forces while the COAS only has authority on men of the Nigerian army.

To you all saying the CDS cannot mobilize a unit from the army, I hope you know the most feared unit of the Nigerian armed forces after the Navy SBS is the AFSF (comprises of men from the Navy, Airforce, and Army) which is under the ONSA. These guys will answer to the CDS during an emergency as they are being funded by the ONSA.

This is d only post from someone who understands d military structure. By military ranking n hierarchy d cds no doubt s d most supreme: a four star general n d only substantive ranking general in d Nigerian armed. He s in charge of the d overall control of the operational deployments of military operations in n outside Nigeria assisted by some snr ranking generals at defence headquarters, who might even b snr to d service chiefs. the navy, army n airforce chiefs ar working to realize hs goals while each s covering hs area of operations.

U will hear more abt d service chiefs dan d cds cos operationally dey ar in direct control of d operations u see, which may v bn sanctioned by d cds.

No doubt, d cds s d most supreme military officer. It s nt a political appointment, so he gives direction to d military as d grand commander nt a PR person.

Chief of defense staff is superior judging from their ranks[color=#990000][/color]

gabng:


Just because you want to answer you end up spewing rubbish.

The CDS is equivalent to the US Chairman, Joint Chief's.

i now know why stupidity is ur second name. slowpoke, ve u not mixed-up things b4?
if u quote again it will confirm my suspicion that a goat gave birth to u.

win2kwire:


The CDS, and Burtai, DO NOT report to the NSA, they advise him on state security matters within their roles which he then briefs the president on.

The Minister of Defence is a more powerful role because he actually has the resources to intervene militarily in security information gathering and operations!

The NSA by virtue of his direct reporting capabilities to the president uses it to influence not only security matters but also defence due to the interloping roles! He could advice the president on something that will become a direct order to the defence chiefs. He could also use his briefs to indict military and defence chiefs.

The service chiefs report into DHQ directly and to the president depending on the issues' importance and priorities!

MANY NSA ACTUALLY WANT TO END UP AS DEFENCE MINISTERS (cabinet level job)

On occasion, the president might assign the role of specific budget and co-ordinating task to the NSA in which case the DHQ will report to him on those specifics - like the boko haram issue and DASUKI billion dollar weapons program!

The NSA DOES not oversee all arms procurement for the military - your Nigerian mentality kicked in here due to Dasuki matter!

The Service chiefs brief the DHQ on their requirements (upkeep, ordinance, welfare, administration costs etc.) and the DHQ includes it in the annual defence budget request to the presidency. What the NSA can do is ask for additions for special operations (boko haram) and ad-hoc contingencies!

He is NOT last stop in all matters concerning security before the president, the NSA is a co-ordinator of security but he is not the only security apparatus directly available and reporting to the president. The president gets security briefs from Embassies, spy chiefs, DHQ, SSS, DIA and others directly which are also sometimes shared with the NSA depending on for whose ears ONLY!

Am quite willing to engage you on this issue in as much as you drop the byline Nigerian Mentality" you used

You would agree with me that the closest military advicer to the president is the NSA who's influence on the president is second to none.for the records you mentioned his influence on the office of the COD and COAs and their advice and recommendation to him.

Can you please tell me why a National Security Advicer would want to become the minister of Defence despite the enormous influence at his disposal, compared to the politiking that comes with the post of the minister.

purchasing military equipments isnt just an operational matter a lot of things has to be taken into consideration as there are lots of back deals, international negotiations and deals that go into arms procurement... Arms trade isnt oil or any other business negotiation bro. if you tell me purchasing uniforms, trucks etc the NA procument unit can do that, but when it comes to strategic weapon acquisition the defence headquaters only states its need, the office of the NSA does the sourcing.

why would i want to be the Minister of Defence when i have the following departments under me:.Departments of Internal Security Defence Affairs Economic Intelligence Special Duties Counter-terrorism Centre Lawful Interception Behavioural Analysis Policy and Strategy External Security Administration and Finance Presidential Communication Command and Control Centre. And i have a budget that isnt under the scrutiny of any senate?

None of the NSA have gone on to be Ministers:Andrew Azazi(former COAS,CODS),Sambo Dasuki(ADC to Babangida, coup ploter that lead Buhari into power and lead IBB into Power) Mohammed Babagana Monguno( former chief of defense intelligence), Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (twice NSA, former chief of Army staff) None of this men would leave the most strategic military position in the world to become a celebrity minister as Buhari would put it. The National Security Advisor is appointed by the President but not confirmed by the Senate, which protects the position to some degree from political controversy and partisanship. All other military chief, ministers are subject to this

The Department of State Security is in the office of the National Security Adviser. The National Intelligence Agency also report to him. No army general/Minister would lead a war without proper directive from this agencies.The Minister of Defence only supervises Army logistics. give me an instance where any has done more than that.

The office is mostly responsible for the oversight functions of the President security vote.

Yes he does coordinate i agree with you but i hope you know no one his kind of influence on National security.

Longman6:


Yes they would, infact the present NSA Advisor is a retired Major-General, the CDS, and Burtai, report to him. Not even the Minister of Defence has the power at his disposal. In the US only the smartest of individuals: professors, ex military guys, diplomat become NSA, google the NSA and you would know what am saying, Its purely an intellectual position in saner climes. A good NSA adviser would stop the Biafra movement before it started without the army shooting a gun, he would know that solving the Boko haram problem can be archieved through creating employment which would inturn limit the number of recruits available for Boko Haram, he would know that education is needed to solve the problem totally.

only the finest of men become NSA in China, us,UK and France.

In Nigeria here are some of the power he has
1 He can see the president at any fuuuuuking time nobody can stop him.
2 His appointment is not confirmed by anybody.
3 only the president can order his arrest:he knows to much, for instance Sambo wasnt sacked immediately Buhari came into power, and only the president can give orders for his investigation
4 His budgetary allocation isnt even under the juridiction of the Minister of Finance or CBN governor(Okonjo IWEAlLA cont question Dasuki's request), he could demand any amount from the treasury as long as the president assets to it.
5 He has the finest Millitary men at his disposal inform of special units who answer to no one except himself and the president.
6 He over see's all arms procurement for the millitary.
7 He is the last stop in all matters concerning security before the president.
8 He answers to no one except the president

In the US, the NSA is supported by Four(not sure) assistant NSA who have experience in different sector, he cordinates the powerful National Security Agency,CIA, FBI and other government agencies...

Wrong@Bolded. CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence who reports to the President.

FBI reports to the US Department of Justice and the Director of National Intelligence.

Alexkene:
Minister of Defence is higher than CDS and not the other way round. Stop confusing people.

If U read well, you will understand that I was in agreement to CDS is greater. Seems you read upside down.....sorry bro. Did you even read what I said ***on point*** to?

Alexkene:
Minister of Defence is higher than CDS and not the other way round. Stop confusing people.

If U read well, you will understand that I was in agreement to CDS is greater. Seems you read upside down.....sorry bro. Did you even read what I said ***on point*** to? The comparison was btw CDS and COAS

dingbang:
Because the CDC is not corrupt like the COAS that's why he doesn't get much public attention...

Weed (Igboo), Kunu which one did u take? Olodo!!!

The CDS is top rank in the Nigerian military rankings,he/she oversees all other divisions of the armed forces which includes the army,navy,airforce etc.

blackgig:


Wrong@Bolded. CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence who reports to the President.

FBI reports to the US Department of Justice and the Director of National Intelligence.

You are right, but the Director of national intelligence is in a committee(National security committee) chaired by the NSA in the absence of the presidency. Though that doent take away direct access. You are right.

dingbang:
my friend get lost from my radar.. My phone..my comments

Beht that doesn't mean we should suffer for your stupidity...

Thankq

Longman6:


With all due respect, i would suggest you dont make universal statements based on assumptions, how can you say all over the world, let take the United states as a case study here, it might interest you to know that no member of the Armed forces holds an ounce of power within the united states, infact the director of the FBI has more power than the chief of the Army within the United states, out side the united states the Navy, Airforce and the Marine wield much more power than Army, you can never hear a United state president boast of the strength of his army, because America hardly puts foots on the ground even when they do so they use the Navy seals. Surface to say the Chief of Army staff in the United states has at least 10 other generals who share the same rank with him, you would always hear things like commander of the pacific region, Nato Commander etc.

To the question, the Chief of defense staff wields more power than the chief of Army staff can ever think of having based on the fact that the Army/military runs on a chain of command, although in reality both of them are simply ceremonial positions as they are appointees of the government who inturn report to the National security Adviser, in the US the NSA is the alpha and omega of the nations security/millitary concerns, followed closely by the director of the CIA and FBI, the armed forces just carries out operational roles.

someone mentioned that Brutai can stop a coup plot, lead a coup...i just laughed, historically no general or high ranking millitary officer has ever ploted a succesful coup( i dont mean the yeye coup that brought Buhari into power or those palace coups) by coup i mean the coup lead by Kaduna Nzeogu who was a Major that used less than 50 men to bring the first republic to an end, let me inform you that to plot a successful coup in Nigeria today just need to go pass the presidential guard and arrest the president and Vice president thats all.Brutai would start running for his life, The chief of Army staff that could not not pass an high way in Kaduna... You just need a young and influential captain in the presidential guard to lead a successful coup. , Gadaffi, Rawlings and that Gambia guy did it less than 50 men with guns.

Again, we had better start praying against external aggression because the Nigeria Armed forces has no millitray might that can stop anything serious, the best thing they can do is peace keeping, and fighting Boko haram, before Buhari came into power Boko-haram had superior military power than the Nigeria Armed forces, the DSS and NIA intelligence gathering skills is Zero imagine the DSS going after a pastor and they cant stop a boko haram attack before it happens...

In conclusion, till we have a National Security Adviser who is super intelligent and not just an Ex millitary officer, the Nigeria Millitary is a joke asides beating innocent civilians.

bro u just nailed on the head

Missy89:


Steaming pile of Crap

I'm surprised such crap has such amount of likes. The guy knows nothing about the military.

TonyeBarcanista:
Administratively, the CDS oversee the activities of the COAS, CAS and CNS. But operationally, the CDS is "just there" while the COAS controls the ground troops and the entire Army.

However, CDS only take charge during "joint" operations, which is rare.
Also, though the CDS has Administrative supervision over the COAS, he CANNOT tell the COAS what to do at any given time. Only the C-in-C enjoy such power. All Service Chiefs brief the C-in-C irrespective of their title.

The COAS by virtue of the control he has, is more powerful and influential within the army than the CDS. The COAS is more dangerous too.

Hence, a C-in-C could make anybody CDS but the COAS is usually a TRUSTED general.

@OP The COAS na him be d koko

this question is an old debate and u are spot on.
but it is directed at who is likely to succeed the president should there be an upheaval

alright people let's go and join the military or better still let's invite the cds and the coas to battle it out among themselves

The CDS is superior by rank (since he's a four star general) but he doesn't and cannot exercise command over the remaining service chiefs( 3 star generals) namely the Chief of Airstaff CAS, the Chief of naval staff CNS , and the Chief of army staff...
Put in mind according to the constitution the CDS is both a member of the NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL and NATIONAL DEFENCE COUNCIL, the other service chiefs(CAS,CNS,COAS) are only full members of the national defence council.
The CDS acts as a co ordinator of the other service chiefs even though they don't report to him or the Minister of Defence. The service chiefs act independently and report only to the President(5 star general,GCFR and commander-in-chief),they can't even report to an Acting president who is only a GCON (not a GCFR),each arm of service can therefore maintain autonomy and act independently,whilst still checked by the DHQ (defence headquaters).....
if the CDS exercised command over the service chiefs it would make him the president (commander-in-chief and GCFR).
Bringing in the NSA is inconsequential in this discussion since he's only responsible for intelligence and security related matters not defence,that's why he is only a member of the national security and council and is responsible to the minister of interior not minister of defence.
NB Service chiefs are also GCON in some sense

slivertongue:




this question is an old debate and u are spot on.
but it is directed at who is likely to succeed the president should there be an upheaval

mr vice president would likely succeed but if by upheavel you mean a PALACE coup,it would most likely be......very complicated but the CDS will do just as in babaginda, abacha time

Longman6:


With all due respect, i would suggest you dont make universal statements based on assumptions, how can you say all over the world, let take the United states as a case study here, it might interest you to know that no member of the Armed forces holds an ounce of power within the united states, infact the director of the FBI has more power than the chief of the Army within the United states, out side the united states the Navy, Airforce and the Marine wield much more power than Army, you can never hear a United state president boast of the strength of his army, because America hardly puts foots on the ground even when they do so they use the Navy seals. Surface to say the Chief of Army staff in the United states has at least 10 other generals who share the same rank with him, you would always hear things like commander of the pacific region, Nato Commander etc.

To the question, the Chief of defense staff wields more power than the chief of Army staff can ever think of having based on the fact that the Army/military runs on a chain of command, although in reality both of them are simply ceremonial positions as they are appointees of the government who inturn report to the National security Adviser, in the US the NSA is the alpha and omega of the nations security/millitary concerns, followed closely by the director of the CIA and FBI, the armed forces just carries out operational roles.

someone mentioned that Brutai can stop a coup plot, lead a coup...i just laughed, historically no general or high ranking millitary officer has ever ploted a succesful coup( i dont mean the yeye coup that brought Buhari into power or those palace coups) by coup i mean the coup lead by Kaduna Nzeogu who was a Major that used less than 50 men to bring the first republic to an end, let me inform you that to plot a successful coup in Nigeria today just need to go pass the presidential guard and arrest the president and Vice president thats all.Brutai would start running for his life, The chief of Army staff that could not not pass an high way in Kaduna... You just need a young and influential captain in the presidential guard to lead a successful coup. , Gadaffi, Rawlings and that Gambia guy did it less than 50 men with guns.

Again, we had better start praying against external aggression because the Nigeria Armed forces has no millitray might that can stop anything serious, the best thing they can do is peace keeping, and fighting Boko haram, before Buhari came into power Boko-haram had superior military power than the Nigeria Armed forces, the DSS and NIA intelligence gathering skills is Zero imagine the DSS going after a pastor and they cant stop a boko haram attack before it happens...

In conclusion, till we have a National Security Adviser who is super intelligent and not just an Ex millitary officer, the Nigeria Millitary is a joke asides beating innocent civilians.

Marines are boot in ground. The US Army are more in use /deployed than any other branch of the US military.

mr, I don't know if you're a fan boy or internet reader but it's obvious you're not getting your facts right. Nigerian military is a formidable force with the navy being the most aggressive, dangerous and most equipped of all three. The most lethal unit in the Nigerian military is the navy SBS. These guys conduct Air/Sea/land missions.

The Nigerian AFSF guys are the next in line. These guys are being trained by Russian FSB and some by Israeli.

Mr, the Nigerian military has been more effective since Buhari came in. Not because he did something better but because uncle Sam sells him weapon. Ex uncle Sam didn't sell GEJ military hardware. The issue should be Nigeria developing a capable defence industry and stop relying on some military hardware from other countries.

NIA intelligence gather is on point. I have said it before you are either a fan boy or internet reader.
Nigeria has military deployed in up to seven African countries, the Nigerian military is capable of defending itself against external aggression. The Nigerian airforce without a 4th generation jet and some equipments has been able to inflict much damage on BHT. Don't tell me about the bombing that happened. The US Air Force with her 4th generations jets bombed civilians locations twice after the Nigerian incident already mistakenly.
Facts remains most Nigerians know less about the capability of their country militarily.

I have met with US service chiefs at AOC gathering. I have seen them speak. The US Army remains the most deployed troops of the US military.

First time ever since the beginning of 2017, this is the first time am seeing a trend that is really worth front page

TonyeBarcanista:
The Police Affairs ministry is merged with Interior ministry under this government. Gen Abdukrahman Dambazzau is the minister.

The Minister is superior to them all.

The Chairman, PSC has no control over IGP. His office though is in charge of discipline and promotion(he recommends to IGP) of all Senior Police Officers except IGP.

The IGP being the CEO is the Oga patapata of Police force but administratively he is is supervised by the minister.

Okay

But I still don't get why the Police is under the Ministry of Interior. In most other countries, the police reports to the Ministry of Justice, or Department of Justice in America.

Longman6:


Yes they would, infact the present NSA Advisor is a retired Major-General, the CDS, and Burtai, report to him. Not even the Minister of Defence has the power at his disposal. In the US only the smartest of individuals: professors, ex military guys, diplomat become NSA, google the NSA and you would know what am saying, Its purely an intellectual position in saner climes. A good NSA adviser would stop the Biafra movement before it started without the army shooting a gun, he would know that solving the Boko haram problem can be archieved through creating employment which would inturn limit the number of recruits available for Boko Haram, he would know that education is needed to solve the problem totally.
only the finest of men become NSA in China, us,UK and France.

In Nigeria here are some of the power he has
1 He can see the president at any fuuuuuking time nobody can stop him.
2 His appointment is not confirmed by anybody.
3 only the president can order his arrest:he knows to much, for instance Sambo wasnt sacked immediately Buhari came into power, and only the president can give orders for his investigation
4 His budgetary allocation isnt even under the juridiction of the Minister of Finance or CBN governor(Okonjo IWEAlLA cont question Dasuki's request), he could demand any amount from the treasury as long as the president assets to it.
5 He has the finest Millitary men at his disposal inform of special units who answer to no one except himself and the president.
6 He over see's all arms procurement for the millitary.
7 He is the last stop in all matters concerning security before the president.
8 He answers to no one except the president

In the US, the NSA is supported by Four(not sure) assistant NSA who have experience in different sector, he cordinates the powerful National Security Agency,CIA, FBI and other government agencies...

you are bending facts to suit theory rather than the other way round......
let us keep in my mind the US runs a very different style of political and military hierarchy very contrast of that in Nigeria so comparing US checks-and-balance style to Nigeria's military adopted style with a very strong chain of command is wrong.
In the US intelligence arms needless to say keeps military arms in check and vice versa but that doesn't mean supersedes, just because i can question you doesn't mean i can command you.
The CIA is the chief of intelligence and counter-intelligence related matters all other agency reports to the CIA ...even the NSA(which is only concerned with cyber related and foreign intelligence).
JOINT CHIEFS bear no true power of command ,this power rests with the secretary of defence...this makes sure that everybody is being checked..the CIA has the brains ,the MILITARY has the might. The CIA has a body (security panel) in the senate that can investigate it, so also those the military,put in mind that CIA or an other FEDERAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY in its own right is rather kinda secretive military institution...

ALL this checks is to make sure no one is too powerful and even if anyone is powerful it's a civilian(democratically elected or appointed),

PS; any top brass can see the president at any time,it is called a matter of national security be it a joint chief or an intelligence chief though there are more appropriate channels.
FBI has nothing to do with intelligence or military,they are merely a kinda of federal police since the US operates state police departments style...powers and roles of the FBI have since been broken down to give rise to other agencies,which are far more powerful than the FBI itself originally

stanley59:
The CDS is superior by rank (since he's a four star general) but he doesn't and cannot exercise command over the remaining service chiefs( 3 star generals) namely the Chief of Airstaff CAS, the Chief of naval staff CNS , and the Chief of army staff...
Put in mind according to the constitution the CDS is both a member of the NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL and NATIONAL DEFENCE COUNCIL, the other service chiefs(CAS,CNS,COAS) are only full members of the national defence council.
The CDS acts as a co ordinator of the other service chiefs even though they don't report to him or the Minister of Defence. The service chiefs act independently and report only to the President(5 star general,GCFR and commander-in-chief),they can't even report to an Acting president who is only a GCON (not a GCFR),each arm of service can therefore maintain autonomy and act independently,whilst still checked by the DHQ (defence headquaters).....
if the CDS exercised command over the service chiefs it would make him the president (commander-in-chief and GCFR).
Bringing in the NSA is inconsequential in this discussion since he's only responsible for intelligence and security related matters not defence,that's why he is only a member of the national security and council and is responsible to the minister of interior not minister of defence.
NB Service chiefs are also GCON in some sense

Actually, the service chiefs can report to the Acting president because the latter has the full powers of a substantive president until the president himself transmits a letter to the National Assembly indicating that he/she is ready to resume the duties of the office.

badoh:
Good day,
kindly enlighten me on the more superior position between Chief of defense staff and Chief of Army staff in the Nigeria settings.
It seems the Chief of Defence staff do not get much public attention compared to the Chief of Army staff .
What are the expected roles of the two Military Chiefs?

let me put mine ds way,cds (general) is like a faculty dean while coas (lt gen) is like a hod,while dat of navy and airforce r like the other hods under the dean.u knw any of the hods can be a faculty dean so any of d service chiefs can b promoted to be a cds or the most senior military general would be a cds.so d cds is d most senior military officer in Nigeria, a 4 star general, while service cheifs head army navy airforce as 3 star generals.
NB. the hods can report to d vc directly when the vc request 4 it,while in some cases the hods report first to the dean. this applies with mr president and d military too.

stanley59:

you are bending facts to suit theory rather than the other way round......
let us keep in my mind the US runs a very different style of political and military hierarchy very contrast of that in Nigeria so comparing US checks-and-balance style to Nigeria's military adopted style with a very strong chain of command is wrong.
In the US intelligence arms needless to say keeps military arms in check and vice versa but that doesn't mean supersedes, just because i can question you doesn't mean i can command you.
The CIA is the chief of intelligence and counter-intelligence related matters all other agency reports to the CIA ...even the NSA(which is only concerned with cyber related and foreign intelligence).
JOINT CHIEFS bear no true power of command ,this power rests with the secretary of defence...this makes sure that everybody is being checked..the CIA has the brains ,the MILITARY has the might. The CIA has a body (security panel) in the senate that can investigate it, so also those the military,put in mind that CIA or an other FEDERAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY in its own right is rather kinda secretive military institution...

ALL this checks is to make sure no one is too powerful and even if anyone is powerful it's a civilian(democratically elected or appointed),

The CIA is only part of a 16-agency strong Intelligence Community. No other agency 'reports' to the CIA and vice versa.

In fact, all the 16 intel agencies report to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), who acts like a coordinator of the intel community.
The office of DNI was created in 2005 due to recommendations of the special 9/11 commission.

Moreover, the US military chain of command, per the Goldwater-Nichols Act, runs from the president - Secretary of Defense - the commanders of the combatant commands (i.e. CENTCOM, SOCOM, Tramsport Command etc).