Chief of Defence Staff, History of The Highest Commissioned Military Officer in Nigeria
The post of the Chief of Defence Staff was established under Nigeria’s 1979 constitution, to be occupied by the highest ranking as well as most senior commissioned military officer in the Nigerian Armed Forces (the Army, Navy and Air force). By this status, the CDS automatically becomes the chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff; vested with day to day command and general superintendence of the Armed Forces.
Assisted by the Service Chiefs (Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force Staff), he formulates and executes policies, programmes towards the highest attainment of national security and operational competence of the Armed Forces.
List Of Past Nigeria Chiefs Of Defence Staff
1 Lt. General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade (1980–1981)
2 Lt. General Gibson Jalo (1981–1983)
3 General Domkat Bali (1984–1990)
4 General Sani Abacha (1990–1993)
5. Lt. General Oladipo Diya (1993-1997)
6 General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1997-1998)
7 Air Marshal Al-Amin Daggash (1998–1999)
8 Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi (1999–2003)
9 General Alexander Ogomudia (June 2003 – June 2006)
10 General Martin Luther Agwai (June 2006 – May 25, 2007)
11 General Owoye Andrew Azazi (May 25, 2007 –
August 20,2008)
12 Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike (August 20, 2008 –
September 8, 2010)
13 Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (September 8, 2010
– October 5, 2012)
14 Admiral Ola Ibrahim (October 5, 2012 – January 16, 2014)
15 Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (January 16, 2014
– July 13, 2015)
16 Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (July 13, 2015
– present)
