Do you wish to know about the Nigerian airforce ranks, salary structures, and symbol? This article would enlighten you. So, let’s begin!
The Nigerian Air Force–NAF, is a part of the Nigerian Armed Forces in charge of air military operations. They are one of the strongest military forces in Africa. They have over 10,000 officers and more young people are trooping in for recruitment to join the force.
The Nigerian Air Force established on April 18, 1964, has since then been a great security agency. This was following the passage by the National Assembly of the 1964 Air Force Act. It stated that the force that will be saddled with the task of defending the country is majorly through air operations and this has, since been so.
In this blog post, we would be revealing the various ranks in the Air Force and their symbols, as well as, their salary structures.
If you are interested in knowing about these facts then you are on the right page.
Let’s get you started;
Nigerian Airforce Ranks And Salary Structure
Starting from the highest-ranked and paid monthly; here you have it:
Ranks And Salary Structure For Commissioned Officers
- 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
Ranks And Salary Structure For Non-commissioned Officers
- Air Warrant Officer N171,793
- Master Warrant Officer N165,697
- Warrant Officer N101,974
- Flight Sergeant N87,119
- Sergeant N69,261
- Corporal N58,634
- Lance Corporal N55,832
- Aircraftman N53,892
- Cadet (Trainee) N44,564
Nigerian Air Force Official Positions
The Nigerian military has a very defined structure. The Nigerian Airforce ranks and salarie ranges from one position to the other where every position has its meaning, signs, and status. By just looking at a person’s uniform, you can tell what rank they are by the individual symbols indicated on their uniforms.
Commissioned Officers
There are 11 ranks in the Nigerian Air Force for Commissioned Officers. They are:
• Marshal of the Nigerian Air Force
• Air Chief Marshal
• Air Marshal
• Air Vice-Marshal
• Air Commodore
• Group Captain
• Wing Commander
• Squadron Leader
• Flight Lieutenant
• Flying Officer
• Pilot Officer
Non-Commissioned Officers
The Nigerian Airforce has 9 ranks for non-commissioned officers. They are listed below:
• Air Warrant Officer
• Master Warrant Officer
• Warrant Officer
• Flight Sergeant
• Sergeant
• Corporal
• Lance-Corporal
• Aircraftman
• Recruit
Nigerian Air Force Ranks And Symbols
As listed above, the Nigerian Air Force has two cadres of personnel consisting of 11 ranks of commissioned officers and 9 ranks of non-commissioned officers.
Below is a list of these ranks and their symbols:
For Commissioned Officers
Marshal Of The Air Force
This is the highest attainable rank in the Nigerian Air Force and it is said that no Air Force personnel has ever attained this rank in the history of Nigeria. This is because this rank must be granted on honorary grounds and not by promotion.
Marshal of the Air Force is equivalent to Admiral of the fleet in the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Field Marshal in the Nigerian Army
Symbol
Air Chief Marshal
This is the second-highest and a four-star rank in the Nigerian and other Air Forces in the world. The Air Chief Marshal rank has been attained by the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Allex Barde, and Air Chief Marshal, Peterin.
Both were former Chiefs of Defence Staff. Air Chief Marshal is equivalent to General in the Army and Admiral in the Navy.
Symbol
Air Marshal
This is the highest rank ever attained in the countries Air Force. It is a three-star rank. All past and present Chiefs of Air Staff have this rank or lower as the highest.
This rank is equivalent to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Army and Vice-Admiral in the Navy.
Symbol
Air Vice Marshal (Avm)
Next to the Air Marshal rank is the Air Vice Marshal. It is a two-star rank of the Air Force.
This rank is equivalent to the rank of Major General in the Army and Rear Admiral in the Navy.
Symbol
Air Commodore
This is the most junior general rank of the Air Force next to Air Vice Marshal. It is a one-star rank.
This rank is equivalent to the rank of Brigadier General in the Army and Commodore in the Navy.
Symbol
Group Captain
Group Captain is a senior commissioned rank next to Air Commodore.
This rank is equivalent to the rank of Colonel in the Army and Captain in the Navy.
Symbol
Wing Commander
Wing Commander is the rank next to the Group Captain. It is equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and Commander in the Navy.
Symbol
Squadron Leader
This is the rank next to Wing Commander. It is equivalent to the rank of Major in the Army and Lieutenant Commander in the Navy.
Symbol
Flight Lieutenant
This is a Junior commissioned officer rank of the Air Force. It is equivalent to Captain in the Army and Lieutenant in the Navy.
Symbol
Flying Officer
Flying Officer is a junior commissioned rank. It is attained by Direct Short Service DSSC officers on commissioning.
This rank is equivalent to Lieutenant in the Army and Sub-lieutenant in the Navy.
Symbol
Pilot Officer
This is the lowest rank in the Nigerian Air Force for commissioned officers. In order of superiority, a Pilot Officer is directly below a Flying Officer.
Symbol
For Non-Commissioned Officers
Air Warrant Officer
Its symbol is the golden eagle surrounded by the matching golden crown made of olive leaves and silver horses.
Warrant Officers are assistants to Master Warrant Officer or Master Sergeant.
Symbol
Master Warrant Officer
Master Warrant Officers are responsible for military equipment.
The symbol of the Master Warrant Officer is the Nigerian Coat Of Arms, where the horses are silver and the rest is golden.
Symbol
Warrant Officer
The symbol of a Warrant Officer is a golden eagle in a crown of olive leaves. Same as in the Navy and Army.
Symbol
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant is a senior non-commissioned rank of the Nigerian Army. They have three shoulder marks and an eagle on top.
Symbol
Sergeant
This is a junior non-commissioned officer and they have three shoulder marks.
Symbol
Corporal
A Corporal is responsible for a troop’s body. They have two shoulder marks.
Symbol
Lance-Corporal
This rank is higher than the recruit or trainee. Lance Corporals have one shoulder mark.
Symbol
Aircraftman
This is directly below the Lance-Corporal and slightly higher than a trainee
Symbol: NIL
Recruit/Trainee
Symbol
Recruit/Trainee is the lowest rank. This is a rank for those who have just joined the army. They are currently at the lowest level of the hierarchy. While trainees might have one shoulder mark, recruits have none.