The Nigerian Army, a vital component of the Nigerian Armed Forces, is tasked with protecting the nation’s territorial integrity on land.
Its rank structure is hierarchical, divided into Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), each with distinct roles and responsibilities.
This blog post provides a detailed overview of all ranks within the Nigerian Army, along with their estimated monthly salaries as of April 2025, based on available research from reliable sources such as military-focused websites and reputable publications.
The salary structure is managed under the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS), which accounts for rank, years of service, and educational background. However, discrepancies in reported salaries across sources suggest some variation, and the figures provided here are approximate, reflecting the most recent and consistent data.
Key Points
- Nigerian Army has a clear rank structure, divided into Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, with estimated salaries varying by rank.
- Salaries are based on the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS), with figures ranging from ₦49,000 for Privates to ₦1,500,000 for Generals, though exact amounts may vary.
Commissioned Officers
The Nigerian Army’s Commissioned Officers include ranks from Second Lieutenant to General, with Field Marshall as a theoretical top rank not currently held. Estimated monthly salaries, based on recent data, are as follows:
- General: ₦1,500,000
- Lieutenant General: ₦1,000,000
- Major General: ₦950,000
- Brigadier General: ₦750,000
- Colonel: ₦550,000
- Lieutenant Colonel: ₦350,000
- Major: ₦300,000
- Captain: ₦220,000
- Lieutenant: ₦180,000
- Second Lieutenant: ₦120,000
- Field Marshall: No salary, as no one holds this rank.
Non-Commissioned Officers
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) include ranks from Recruit/Trainee to Warrant Officer Class I, with estimated monthly salaries as follows:
- Warrant Officer Class I: ₦90,000
- Warrant Officer Class II: ₦80,000
- Staff Sergeant: ₦68,000
- Sergeant: ₦63,000
- Corporal: ₦58,000
- Lance Corporal: ₦55,000
- Private: ₦49,000
- Recruit/Trainee: No salary yet
These figures are based on the most consistent data available and may include additional allowances not detailed here.
Read also: List of Opay Offices
Rank Structure in the Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army’s rank system is influenced by the British military structure, given Nigeria’s colonial history.
Ranks are categorized into two main groups: Commissioned Officers, who are typically university graduates and hold leadership roles, and NCOs, who manage operational tasks and rise through the ranks based on experience. Each rank is associated with specific insignia, though this analysis focuses on ranks and salaries.
Detailed Rank Listings and Estimated Salaries
Commissioned Officers
Commissioned Officers are responsible for high-level strategic decisions and command large units. Their ranks, from lowest to highest, are as follows, with estimated monthly salaries based on data from sources like Military Ranks of Nigeria and Nigerian Army Ranks and Salary:
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary (₦) |
|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant | 120,000 |
| Lieutenant | 180,000 |
| Captain | 220,000 |
| Major | 300,000 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 350,000 |
| Colonel | 550,000 |
| Brigadier General | 750,000 |
| Major General | 950,000 |
| Lieutenant General | 1,000,000 |
| General | 1,500,000 |
| Field Marshall | No salary (rank not held) |
Note: The Field Marshall rank is theoretical and has not been attained by any officer, hence no salary is assigned.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
NCOs are essential for direct leadership and operational management, often starting as enlisted personnel and advancing based on merit. Their ranks, from lowest to highest, and estimated monthly salaries, are derived from sources like Nigerian Army Ranks Structure and Nigerian Leaders:
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary (₦) |
|---|---|
| Recruit/Trainee | No salary yet |
| Private | 49,000 |
| Lance Corporal | 55,000 |
| Corporal | 58,000 |
| Sergeant | 63,000 |
| Staff Sergeant | 68,000 |
| Warrant Officer Class II | 80,000 |
| Master Warrant Officer | 90,000 |
| Army Warrant Officer | 90,000 (assumed, based on WO Class I) |
Note: There is some variation in terminology for warrant officers across sources, with terms like Army Warrant Officer, Master Warrant Officer, and Warrant Officer Class II used interchangeably. For consistency, salaries for higher warrant officer ranks are aligned with Warrant Officer Class I at ₦90,000, reflecting the highest NCO salary in consistent reports.
Additional Considerations
Salaries may include extra stipends for special assignments, military operations, foreign missions (e.g., peacekeeping), duty tours, and other benefits, which are not detailed in this analysis. The figures provided are base salaries and may not reflect total compensation. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consulting official Nigerian Army resources or government publications is recommended.
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