Our Structure.
From political leadership through the Permanent Secretary to the operational components and parastatals, this is how the Ministry of Defence is organised.
President & C-in-C of the Armed Forces
How decisions flow.
Political tier
The Honourable Minister and the Minister of State are the political leadership, accountable to the President and the National Assembly. They direct policy, defend the Ministry's budget and represent the Government on defence matters.
Administrative tier
The Permanent Secretary heads the Civil Service side of the Ministry and is the accounting officer. The PS provides continuity across political cycles, leads departmental directors and chairs the Ministerial Tenders Board.
Operational tier
The Defence Headquarters, under the Chief of Defence Staff, exercises joint operational command over the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force — each headed by its own Chief of Service.
Parastatal tier
Agencies and parastatals — NDA, NDC, AFCSC, DICON, NAFRC, MPB, DIA — operate under MOD oversight with statutory mandates ranging from training to industrial production to welfare administration.