The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is the air branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is the youngest branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces, established four years after the nation became independent.
The Nigerian Air Force was formally established on 18 April 1964 with the passage of the Air Force Act 1964. The Act stated that the "Nigerian Air Force shall be charged with the defense of the Federal Republic by air, and to give effect thereto, the personnel shall be trained in such duties as in the air as well as on the ground." The NAF was formed with technical assistance from West Germany (now Federal Republic of Germany).
The air force started life as a transport unit with the first air crew trained with the Ethiopian Air Force. The head of the German Air Force Assistance Group (GAFAG) was Colonel Gerhard Kahtz, and he became the first commander of the NAF.
The Nigerian Air Force headquarters is responsible for establishing long and short-term mission objectives and articulating policies, carrying out plans and procedures for the attainment of peace and stability. Also, HQ Nigerian Air Force liaises with the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy on joint operational policies and plans.
The headquarters Nigerian Air Force consists of the office of the Chief of the Air Staff and 8 staff or branches namely; Policy and Plans Branch, Operations Branch, Air Engineering Branch, Logistics Branch, Administration Branch, Accounts and Budget Branch, Inspections Branch and Air Secretary Branch respectively.
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Every command has several subordinate groups, each of which has at least one wing - and each wing includes one or more squadrons.
Nigerian Air Force Mobility Command, headquartered at Yenagoa, was established in 2011. It has five other commands located in Lagos, Ilorin, Calabar, Warri and Abuja.
The Nigerian Air Force also maintains and is the primary custodian of the air fleet in which the president flies on, as well as other state and foreign dignitaries. According to the government, there are 10 aircraft in the fleet. They include two each of AgustaWestland AW189, and Falcon 7X, as well as one each of Bombardier Challenger 605, Boeing Business Jet, Falcon 900, Hawker 4000, Gulfstream G500, and Gulfstream G550. In 2024, an Airbus was acquired for presidential travel.
Based on employee reviews, the Nigerian Air Force offers a lucrative and supportive work environment with ample opportunities for skill development and growth.
Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Requirements
In Nigeria, the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) is a type of commission in the NAF that is open to both civilians and serving military personnel.
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General Requirements:
- Age: Applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 30 years by 27 September 2025 (25 - 40 years for Medical Consultants).
- The Exercise is not for serving personnel desiring Branch Commission.
- Interested applicants must possess a minimum of Second Class Upper Division for holders of the first degree and Upper Credit for HND holders.
- In addition, applicants must possess credit in English Language and Mathematics and degree courses of study.
The training period for this type of commission is usually 6 months of intensive military training.
Specific Requirements by Field:
Below are some of the specific requirements based on the field of specialization:
- Armament Technology: HND/B.Eng/BSc, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Explosive Chemistry, Chemistry (Industrial Chemistry).
- Air Intelligence: BSc/HND Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), Geography, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Science (CompTIA A+, Ethical Hacking), MSC Cyber Security, BSc/HND Psychology, Sociology, Intelligence and Security Studies, Criminology, History and International Studies, MSc Forensic Analysis, BSc/HND French Language, Chinese Language, and Arabic Language. The ability to speak multiple Nigerian Languages is an added advantage.
- Air Traffic Control: BSC/HND Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Biology, Mathematics or Air Traffic Control Licence (NCAA).
- Meteorology: BSc/HND (Science) or B Engr (Electrical or Mechanical Engineering).
- Fire: BSc/HND (Science) or B Engr (Electrical or Mechanical Engineering).
- Communication, Information and Space Technology: BSc/HND Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering/Science, Telecommunications Engineering, Data Telecommunication/Networks Engineering, M.Eng/MSc/B.Eng/BTech/BSc/HND Radar Engineering, MSc/BSc/HND Information Technology/Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Programming, Cyber Security, Networking, Artificial Intelligence, Hardware Maintenance. BSc/BEng/PGD Satellite Communication/Satellite Ground Station Engineering, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), Rocketry/Astronomy/Cosmology/Space Engineering, BSc Satellite Control Engineering, HND Satellite Image Analyst, BSc Geography, BSc Geo-Physics/Physics, Mathematics. BEng/BTech/BSc/HND BSc/HND/MSc in other disciplines with proven competencies in Software Development languages such as PHP, Python, C++ and MERN Stack can also apply. Possession of professional certificates such as CSDP, CSSLP, PHP Certification, CSS Zen Garden Certification, CCNA, CCNA Wireless, CCNP, CCNP Wireless, MCSE, Network+, Security+, CCNA Security, CCNP Security, CEH, ECSA, LPT, ECVP, ECSP, CPW, CPWA, CPWDV, CPWDS, CompTIA Security+, and other ICT proficiency are added advantage.
- Public Relations: BSc/BA/HND Mass Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Television and Film Production.
- Medical Consultants: Nurses - BNSc/MSc Nursing: Must possess BNSc and MSc (Nursing Science) from any UNC accredited university, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and possess Annual Practicing License. Psychology: Must possess a BSc in Psychology from any NUC-accredited university.
- Account and Budget: BSc Accounting, Banking and Finance.
Local Government Area Attestation Form:
Applicant's Local Government Area Attestation Form must be signed by a military officer from the same State as the applicants and not below the rank of Wing Commander in the Nigerian Air Force or equivalent in the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy or a Police Officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner and above, or Local Government Chairman/Secretary, Magistrate and Principals of Secondary Schools attended by applicants can also sign the Attestation Form. The Local Government Area Attestation Form must be accompanied by the passport photograph and photocopy of the signees’ Driver's Licence or National ID Card or International Passport.
Presentation of Original Credentials:
Successful applicants are required to submit their original credentials for scrutiny at the Selection Board Interview Exercise.
The Making of Nigerian Air Force Pilot; Kalla Kaga Yadda Suke Koyon Jefa Bama-Bamai
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