Chief of the Defence Staff (Nigeria)

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.

List of CDS

 * Lt. General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade (1980–1981)
 * Lt. General Gibson Jalo (1981–1983)
 * General Domkat Bali (1984–1990)
 * General Sani Abacha (1990–1993)
 * Lt. General Oladipo Diya (1993)
 * General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1993–1998)
 * Air Marshal Allamin M. Daggash (1998–1999)
 * Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi (1999–2003)
 * General Alexander Ogomudia (June 2003 – June 2006)
 * General Martin Luther Agwai (June 2006 – May 25, 2007)
 * General Owoye Andrew Azazi (May 25, 2007 – August 20, 2008)
 * Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike (August 20, 2008 – September 8, 2010)
 * Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (September 8, 2010 – October 5, 2012)
 * Admiral Ola Ibrahim (October 5, 2012 – January 16, 2014)
 * Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (January 16, 2014 – Present)