HTACOS Officers (Revised) 2017

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CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
GENERAL
01.01. The Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for

Officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria short titled HTACOS
Officers 2017 (Revised) is a revised edition of the HTACOS
Officers 2012, which became effective from the 10th day of July 2012.
It contains regulations governing conditions of service in the Armed
Forces of Nigeria. Whenever the provisions of these regulations are
silent over a particular subject, the provision of the Public Service
Rule (PSR) and the Financial Regulations shall apply.
COMMISSION
01.02. There are 6 types of commission that can be granted in

the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The order of precedence is as follows:
a. Regular Combatant Commission (RCC).
b. Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC).
c. Direct Regular Commission (DRC).
d. Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC).
e. Executive (NA)/Special Duty (NN)/Branch Commission

(NAF) - (EC/SD/BC).
f. Concessional Commission.
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NAME
01.03. In this document, the following shall apply:
a. Name(s). The name(s) of an officer shall be the

name(s) given at attestation and shall not be subject to change
or alteration unless as specified in Sub Paragraph (b) below.
b. Change of Name(s). Personnel desiring of change of

name(s) shall apply through the Commanding
Officer/Commander for approval. The application must be
accompanied by relevant documents to the applicant’s Service
Headquarters.
c. Use of ‘He’&‘Man’. The use of the words ‘he’ and ‘man’

apply to both male and female personnel except where
specifically stated.
DEFINITIONS
01.04. In this document, except where otherwise prescribed, the

following definitions shall apply:
a. President. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the

Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
b. Minister of Defence. The Minister charged with

responsibility for matters relating to defence. An individual so
appointed by the President and ratified by the National
Assembly, responsible for the formulation of National Defence
Policy and the general administration of the Armed Forces of
Nigeria.
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c. Chief of the Defence Staff. The officer so appointed

by the President and ratified by the National Assembly, vested
with day-to-day command and general superintendence of the
Armed Forces of Nigeria.
d. Chief of the Army Staff. The officer appointed by the

President and ratified by the National Assembly to have the
command, direction and general superintendence of the
Nigerian Army.
e. Chief of the Naval Staff. The officer appointed by the

Nigerian Navy.
f. Chief of the Air Staff. The officer appointed by the

Nigerian Air Force.
g. Officer. An officer is a person holding a Presidential

Commission in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
h. Officer Cadet. Officer Cadet is the status of a

soldier/rating/airman/civilian while undergoing training for a
commission.
i. University Cadet. University Cadet is the status of

serving soldiers/ratings/airmen/civilian selected by the
Army/Navy/Air Force Selection Board to study a professional
course in any university, or any equivalent approved institution
of higher learning for the purpose of commission.
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j. Date of Birth. Date of Birth is the date an officer was

born, as given on the day of attestation and recorded in the
individual’s Service Record. The date shall not be subject to any
change or alteration in any form or manner.
k. Home Place. An officer’s home or village is the

Nigerian home place of the officer, as recorded at the time of
attestation.
l. Family. The family of an officer shall be his spouse

under the Marriage Act or Islamic Law or Native Law and
Custom and children under 18 years subject to a maximum
of 4. However, for record purposes, a serving officer can
register all his wives and children.
m. Child. The child of an officer means a child who is

under the age of 18 and must be any of the following:
(1) The officer’s biological off-spring.
(2) The officer’s stepchild, being the biological off-

spring of a spouse of the officer.
(3) A child adopted by the officer in accordance with

any statutory provision.
n. Nigerian Citizen. A Nigeria Citizen shall be as

provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria1999 as Amended.
o. Next of Kin. Next of Kin is a person(s) documented

by an officer on attestation or thereafter amended in Service
records to whom pensionable emoluments, real or personal
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`estates’ are entrusted for administration in the event of death

or incapacitation of the officer without making a Will.
p. Military Service. Military service of an officer is a

period of unbroken service in the Armed Forces of Nigeria from
the date of commissioning to date of retirement from service.
Also, it commences from date of enlistment into service as
soldiers/ratings/airmen for SSCC, DSSC, DRC and EC/SD/BC/CC
officers.
q. Pensionable Service. Pensionable service is military

service, with the period of cadet training, subject to the law in
force, minimum of which:
(1) Service as a soldier/rating/airman counts in full, for

SSC, DSSC and EC officers, subject to the individual being
commissioned immediately after such service without a
break or on application as specified in Paragraph 03.10.
(2) Unbroken service as an officer counts in full.
r. Reckonable Service. Reckonable service is the same

as pensionable service.
s. Non-Reckonable Service. Non-Reckonable Service is

the period(s) of service forfeited by sentence of Court Martial,
or by a summary award.
t. Active Service. The expression, ‘Active Service’, means

the period of service of an officer, which includes
War/Operations and official duties. For details, see Chapter 21.
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u. Reserve. Reserve shall include non-active personnel,

units or formations earmarked for future use on mobilization.
v. Pensionable Emoluments. Pensionable Emoluments

are the total annual consolidated salary and allowances earned
by an officer at the time of retirement.
w. Death on Active Service. Death on Active Service

applies to any military officer killed in action during operation or
died while performing routine duties.
x. Prolongation of Service. An officer shall not be

entitled to retire to reserve at any time when he has become
liable as a person subject to Service Law, to be tried, by Court
Martial for an offence under the Armed Forces Act.
y. Foreigner. A foreigner is a person belonging to or

owing allegiance to a foreign country.
01.05 This Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service

HTACOS Officers (Revised) 2017 shall be reviewed after every 5
years and/or when necessary.
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CHAPTER 2
DISCIPLINE
DISCIPLINE CODE
02.01. All officers are subject to military and civil laws as

provided under the Armed Forces Act.
02. 02 - 02.05. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 3
REGULAR COMBATANT COMMISSION
GENERAL
03.01. Regular Combatant Commission in the Armed Forces of

Nigeria is open to Nigerians specified below:
a. Officers holding the Short Service Combatant Commission

(NA only).
b. Soldiers/ratings/airmen with appropriate qualifications.
c. Civilians with appropriate qualifications.
03.02. The conditions to be fulfilled for the grant of a Regular

Combatant Commission are given in Paragraph 03.06.
03.03. The effective date of commission will first be published in

the respective Service Orders and subsequently in the Official Gazette
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
03.04. Reserved.
GRANT OF A REGULAR COMBATANT COMMISSION
03.05. In order to be considered for the grant of a Regular

Combatant Commission, Short Service Combatant Officers (NA only)
must fulfil the conditions laid down in Paragraph 04.13.
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03.06. In the case of soldiers/ratings/airmen and civilians, they

shall be required to undergo military training at an officer cadet
training institution and must:
a. Be between 18 and 21 years of age as at the date of

commencement of training.
b. Be medically fit in accordance with the Medical Standard

for the Services.
c. Have a minimum of 5 credit passes at G.C.E. O/L or

WASC or NECO or SSCE or NABTEBC, Grade II Teachers
Certificate or National Technical Certificate or their equivalents
obtained in not more than 2 sittings in subjects relevant to the
Course of their choice.
d. Be a Nigerian citizen by birth.
e. Be recommended by his Commanding Officer/Commander

in the case of a serving soldier/rating/airman.
f. Sit and pass the Joint Unified Matriculation Examinations,

Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination and
the Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB).
g. Be unmarried.
h. Satisfy the requirements for commissioning.
03.07. Cadet Training in Nigeria. The following shall apply to

cadet training in Nigeria:
a. Candidates who pass the Armed Forces Selection Board
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(AFSB) shall attend the regular cadet course at the NDA.
b. Service personnel who are so selected but fail to meet the

required standard at the NDA shall be returned to their units
(except those withdrawn on disciplinary grounds) to complete
their current engagements, the period spent in NDA inclusive.
c. Details of leaves, pay and allowances are given in the

appropriate regulations.
d. A cadet relegated twice on disciplinary or academic

grounds cannot be relegated for the third time. In order to
maintain discipline, such cadet shall be withdrawn.
03.08. Cadet Training Outside Nigeria. The following shall
apply to cadet training outside Nigeria:
a. Only NDA Cadets may be sent outside Nigeria for cadet

training.
b. Cadets who fail to reach the standard required for a

commission shall be returned to Nigeria and withdrawn from
further training in the case of civilians, or subjected to the
provisions of Paragraph 03.07.(b) in the case of Service
personnel.
c. Details of leave, pay and allowances accruable to them

shall be in accordance with appropriate regulations.
03.09. Seniority on Commission. A Regular Combatant

Commission officer’s seniority counts from the date of
commencement of his officer cadet training unless he suffers
relegation, in which case his seniority counts from the date of
commencement of training on the course to which he is relegated.
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03.10. Length of Service. The length of service applicable to

regular combatant officers shall be as follows:
a. An officer shall be eligible to apply to retire if he has

served for at least 15 years of commissioned service subject to
regulation in force.
b. Except as provided for in Sub Paragraph (d) below, an

officer holding a substantive rank shall be retired on reaching
the age indicated for that rank. Six months notice in writing of
such retirement or payment of a sum equivalent to 3 months’
salary in lieu of notice shall be given. The appropriate age
ceiling for the various types of commission in the Armed Forces
of Nigeria shall be as follows:
OFFICERS SENIOR TO 36RC ON COMMISSION

TABLE A
Serial Rank Time Type of Commission
on
Rank
RC/ DSSC/ EC/SD/
SSC DRC BC
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
1. Lt/SLt/FgOffr 5 35 35 40
2. Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt 4 40 42 45
3. Maj/Lt Cdr/SqnLdr 4 46 47 50
4. Lt Col/Cdr/WgCdr 5 49 50 55
5. Col/Capt(NN)/GpCapt 5 52 53 -
6. Brig Gen/Cdre/Air Cdre 3 54 54 -
7. Maj Gen/R Adm/AVM - 56 56 -
8. Lt Gen/V Adm/Air Mshl - 58 - -
9. Gen/Adm/Air Chief Mshl - 60 - -
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OFFICERS OF 36 REGULAR COURSE AND BELOW ON

COMMISSION
TABLE B
Serial Rank Time Type of Commission
on RC/ DSSC/ EC/SD/
Rank SSC DRC BC
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
1. Lt/SLt/FgOffr 5 39 39 49
2. Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt 5 47 47 52
3. Maj/Lt Cdr/SqnLdr 6 52 52 55
4. Lt Col/Cdr/WgCdr 5 54 54 57
5. Col/Capt(NN)/GpCapt 5 56 56 -
6. Brig Gen/Cdre/Air Cdre 4 58 58 -
7. Maj Gen/R Adm/AVM 5 60 60 -
8. Lt Gen/V Adm/Air Mshl - 61 - -
9. Gen/Adm/Air Chief Mshl - 62 - -
c. A medical consultant and a Chaplain/Imam of Brig Gen

rank or equivalent and above could remain in Service up to
age 60 years subject to an application by the individual
concerned and approved by the respective Service Council.
d. An officer may only serve for a maximum of 35

years after commission except as deemed fit by the
Commander-in-Chief.
e. The Services shall adhere to the compulsory retiring ages

and periods stipulated; but where a Service Council/Board
considers that it is in the interest of the Service, an officer may
on the recommendation of the Service Chief, be retained
beyond the normal retirement date, but not beyond one year
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and once in an officer’s career. In very exceptional cases

however, an officer’s career could be extended beyond one
year for as long as necessary, either on the recommendation of
the respective Service Chief and the approval of the
Service/Board or at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief.
f. Where a request for extension of service is approved by

the Services Council/Boards, the affected officer shall be
deployed to serve only within his respective Service for the
period of service extension. Such an officer is not to be
deployed to DHQ or any other tri-service institution, except if:
(1) The request for extension had emanated from DHQ

or the tri-service institution concerned; or
(2) The service of the officer has been specifically

requested for by the DHQ or the tri-service institution; or
(3) The officer was serving in DHQ or the tri-service

institution prior to the extension.
g. On the grant of Regular Combatant Commission, a

serving soldier/rating/airman shall be discharged to commission
in which case his length of service shall commence from the
date of commission. His previous service will therefore cease to
be reckonable.
h. However, a soldier/rating/airman/civilian who has served

in the Public Service before enlistment into the Service, may, if
he so desires, apply for merger of his previous public service
not later than 3 years from date of commission (for the purpose
of pension and gratuity/emolument). If approved, the length of
service shall include the period of public service.
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RESTRICTION FROM COURSE NOMINATION
03.11. An officer who is due for retirement or who will be due for
retirement while on a course may not be nominated for Command
and Staff or National Defence/Strategic Courses.
DEBARMENT FROM VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT OR

RESIGNATION
03.12. Any officer sponsored by any of the Services or released on

sponsorship (including self-sponsorship) for any course, military or
civil, lasting up to a session of 9 months shall not be allowed to
proceed on voluntary retirement or resign his appointment within 3
years from the completion of the course except on recommendation
by his Service Chief and approved by his Service Council/Board.
Where the course lasts more than one session, the period of
debarment from resignation or retirement shall be 5 years. This
provision does not apply to officers on resettlement courses pending
retirement.
TRANSFER TO THE RESERVE
03.13. Transfer to the Reserve will be governed by regulations laid

down by the Federal Government as contained in the Armed Forces
Act.
03.14. – 03.15. Reserved.
RECALL FROM THE RESERVE
03.16. Recall from the Reserve will be governed by regulations

promulgated by the Federal Government as contained in the Armed
Forces Act.
03.17 - 03.18. Reserved.
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TERMINAL BENEFITS
03.19. Terminal benefits shall be governed by the following

conditions:
a. Details of terminal leave are as stated in

Paragraph 19.07.
b. Details and eligibility for pension and gratuity are as

stated in Chapter 22.
POWER OF COMMAND
03.20. An officer granted a Regular Combatant Commission shall

have power of command over officer granted every other type of
commission in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. An officer granted a
Short Service Commission shall neither be appointed head of the
Service nor shall he have power of command over an officer of a
Regular Combatant Commission if they are both of the same rank
and seniority.
03.21. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 4
SHORT SERVICE COMBATANT COMMISSION
GENERAL
04.01. The Short Service Combatant Commission is applicable to

only the Nigerian Army and therefore governed by the Nigerian Army
Regulations on this type of commission. Short Service Combatant
Commission in the Nigerian Army is open to the following:
a. Soldiers/ratings/airmen with appropriate qualifications.

b. Civilian with appropriate qualifications.
04.02. The conditions to be fulfilled for the grant of Short

Service Combatant Commission (SSC) are set out in Paragraph 04.04.
04.03. The effective date of commission will be published first in

the Nigerian Army Orders and subsequently in the official Gazette of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
04.04. Any candidate desiring entry into the Nigerian Defence

Academy for the Short Service Combatant Commission Course must
fulfill the following conditions:
a. Must be between the ages of 23 and 27 years at the

commencement of cadet training.
b. Be medically fit in accordance with the rules in the

Medical Standards of the Nigerian Army.
c. Be recommended by his Commanding Officer/Commander

as fit and a proper material for cadet training in case of a
serving soldier/rating/airman.
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d. Be a citizen of Nigeria.
e. Has obtained a degree or equivalent qualification in a

recognized university or institution of higher learning.
04.05. Selection Process. Candidates must pass through a

Nigerian Army Selection Board (NASB) and undergo all formalities
required for proper admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy
including signing an acceptance form of compliance with the HTACOS
(Officers) in force.
04.06. Cadet Training. Cadet training in and outside Nigeria

will be the same as those listed in Paragraphs 03.07(b) and (c)
and 03.08.
04.07. Rank on Commission. SSC Cadets shall be

commissioned 2Lt.
SENIORITY
04.08. Soldiers/Ratings/Airmen. Irrespective of previous

service, seniority of soldiers/ratings/airmen shall start to count from
the date of commencement of their officer cadet training.
04.09. Civilian. Seniority of civilian candidates will count from

date of commencement of officer cadet training.
04.10. Ante-Date. SSC cadets shall be given an ante-date

of 2 years with effect from the date of commencement of training for
promotion purposes only.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
04.11. The Short Service Combatant Commission is granted for a

period of 15 years; that is 10 years on the active list and renewable
thereafter for a period not more than 5 years. No extension shall be
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granted after the fifteenth year of commission except on conversion

to Regular Combatant Commission where applicable.
04.12. The following will apply in the case of an SSC officer who
desires to extend his active list period:
a. An officer wishing to extend his active list period shall

apply to do so for one or more complete years up to a
maximum of 5 years only. An officer who is unable to convert
to the Regular Combatant Commission at the end of the
fifteenth year shall be required to retire.
b. Application for an extension of service will be referred to

the Army Council for approval.
c. Acceptance of extension is dependent on the

requirements of the Service. A shorter period than that for
which the officer applied may be granted.
CONVERSION FROM SHORT SERVICE COMBATANT

COMMISSION TO REGULAR COMBATANT COMMISSION
04.13. The manpower needs of the relevant Service shall

determine the number of SSC officers to convert to RC Commission.
In order to be eligible for conversion to RC Commission, an officer
holding a SSC Commission must fulfill the following:
a. Be under 37 years of age.

b. Had served for a period of not less than 6 years.
c. Must have obtained an “Above Average” assessment in

the last 2 PERs preceding his application for conversion.
d. Be medically fit.
e. Must have passed his PT test in the last 2 PERs preceding
the time of application for conversion.
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f. Must have passed the Lt-Capt or Capt-Maj (practical)

promotion examinations as the case may be.
g. Must be recommended by his Commander.
04.14. Number of Attempts. An officer with a Short

Service Combatant Commission shall be allowed only 3 attempts to
convert to Regular Combatant. Failing, which he shall retire at the
end of 15 years of service.
04.15. Seniority on Conversion. There will be no loss of

seniority on conversion from Short Service Combatant Commission to
Regular Combatant Commission.
04.16. Promulgation on Conversion. AHQ Dept of MS in

conjunction with AHQ DOAA will promulgate occurrences in the
Nigerian Army Orders in respect of an officer stating his seniority.
This will also be published in the Federal Government Gazette for
record purpose.
04.17. When an officer resigns his commission, before the end

of his commissioned service, the remaining period shall be
transferred to the Reserve. This will be subject to such regulation as
are laid down by the Federal Government from time to time.
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CHAPTER 5
DIRECT REGULAR COMMISSION
GENERAL
05.01. Direct Regular Commission (DRC) in the Armed Forces of

Nigeria is open to:
a. Officers of the Direct Short Service Commission.
b. Professionals/University Cadets.
c. Soldiers/Ratings/Airmen who obtain relevant academic

and professional qualifications.
CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY
05.02. In order to be considered for a grant of DRC, a candidate

must be:
a. A Nigerian citizen.
b. Be between 20 and 35 years of age for Medical

Consultants and 20 and 30 years of age for others.
c. If an officer is with a Direct Short Service Commission, he

must have completed a minimum of 3 years of service and has
undergone the DRC orientation course.
d. In the case of university cadets, the provisions in

Chapter 12 shall apply.
e. Recommended by his Commanding Officer/Commander, if

he is a Service personnel.
f. Medically fit in accordance with the Medical Standards for

the Services.
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g. In the case of the Nigerian Navy Upper Yardman Scheme,

the provision of Paragraph 05.09 shall apply.
05.03. Reserved.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
05.04. The following conditions shall apply to the length of

service of a Direct Regular Commissioned officer:
a. Officers with a DRC shall be eligible to apply to retire if

they have served for at least 10 years of commissioned service
subject to the regulation in force except for medical
consultants.
b. Except as provided for in Sub Paragraph (c) below, an

officer holding a substantive rank will be retired on reaching the
age limit set out in Paragraphs 03.10 (b) or (e), whichever is
applicable, subject to a minimum of 6 months’ notice in writing
of such retirement being given before the effective date except
for medical consultants.
c. The Service Council/Board on the recommendation of the

Service Chief, may approve the extension of the above age
limits on case by case basis, where such is desirable in the
interest of the Service. Such extension should not be beyond
one year and once in an officer’s career.
d. Where a request for extension of service is approved by

the Service Council/Board, the affected officer shall be
deployed to serve only within his respective Service for the
period of service extension. Such an officer is not to be
deployed to DHQ or any tri-service institution except for
medical consultants.
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05.05. Resignation. The rules governing resignation in

Paragraph 10.02 shall apply.
05.06. Debarment from Voluntary Retirement or

Resignation. The rules governing debarment for regular
combatant officers in Paragraph 03.12 shall apply.
05.07. Transfer to the Reserve shall be governed by regulations

laid down by the Federal Government and contained in
Sections 262 – 269 AFA (as amended), subject to change from time
to time.
05.08. Recall from the Reserve will be governed by regulations

promulgated by the Federal Government from time to time.
UPPER YARDMAN SCHEME
05.09. The Upper Yardman Scheme (NN only) is designed for

brilliant young naval ratings who possess officer-like qualities and
other requisite qualifications to be commissioned as Direct Regular
Officers. Conditions and selection for this scheme shall be as laid
down, from time to time, by the Naval Headquarters.
TERMINAL BENEFITS
05.10. Details of Terminal Benefits shall be as follows:
a. Details of terminal leave are as set out in

Paragraph 19.07 of this document.
b. Details and eligibility for pension and/or gratuity are as

stated in Chapter 22 of this document.
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CHAPTER 6
DIRECT SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION
GENERAL
06.01. The grant of a Direct Short Service Commission in the

Armed Forces of Nigeria is open to:
a. Soldiers/Ratings/Airmen with appropriate qualifications.
b. Civilians with appropriate qualifications as spelt out in

Chapter 12 of this document.
CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY
06.02. In order to be considered for the grant of a Direct Short

Service Commission, a graduate of a recognized university or holder
of a recognized professional qualification must fulfill the following
conditions:
a. Be between 20 and 30 years of age for both serving

personnel and civilians. However, Medical Doctors (consultants)
could be between 25 and 40 years of age.
b. Medically fit in accordance with the Medical Standards for

the Services.
c. Possesses a degree or higher diploma from a recognized

university or a higher institution of learning or a recognized
professional qualification as spelt out in Chapter 12 of this
document.
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MILITARY TRAINING/SENIORITY
06.03. All those selected for a DSSC of any Service shall undergo:
a. An orientation course in basic military training at a

designated military school of the Service.
b. On successful completion of training, cadets will be

commissioned as Lt/SLt/Fg Offr with no advantage of seniority
except for medical consultants.
06.04. Reserved.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
06.05. The following conditions shall govern the length of service

of an officer granted a Direct Short Service Commission:
a. Fifteen years for an initial period of 8 years service,

renewable yearly for another period of 7 years, once or more
years at a time except for medical consultants.
b. Shall be on probation for the first 3 years of service.
c. Application for extension shall be made through the

officer’s Commanding Officer/Commander at least 6 months
before his current commission is due to terminate.
d. Acceptance of an application for extension is dependent

on the requirements of the Service and the recommendation of
the Commanding Officer/Commander. A shorter period of
service than that which the officer applied for may be granted
to him.
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e. Application for extension of service shall be referred to

the Service Council/Board for approval.
CONVERSION FROM DSSC TO DRC
06.06. Officers granted a Direct Short Service Commission

wishing to convert to Direct Regular Commission must fulfill the
following conditions:
a. Not be more than 39 years of age at the time of

application except for medical consultants.
b. Have served for a period of not less than 3 years as a

commissioned officer.
c. Have 2 good PERs preceding the time of application for

conversion.
d. Be medically fit.
e. Have passed PT test in the last 2 years.
f. Be recommended by his Commanding

Officer/Commander.
g. Attend and passed a Conversion Board interview.
06.07. Officers who fail to convert within 15 years of their service

shall be compulsorily retired, except for medical consultants.
TERMINAL BENEFITS
06.08. Details of Terminal Benefits are set out in Paragraph

19.07 and Chapter 22 of this document.
06.09– 06.14. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 7
EXECUTIVE/SPECIAL DUTY/BRANCH COMMISSION
GENERAL
07.01. The Executive/Special Duty/Branch Commission is strictly

a promotion outlet for soldiers/ratings/airmen who by their
experience and ability are fit for a commission in the particular field
for which they are qualified.
CONDITIONS
07.02. In order to be considered for the grant of the

Executive/Special Duty/Branch Commission, candidates must fulfill
the following:
a. Be between the ages of 30 and 40 years on the date of

commission.
b. Be medically fit in accordance with the Medical Standards

for the Services.
c. Be a serving personnel.
e. Have attained minimum educational standard of

ACE1/NCE/SSCE or equivalent and above.
f. Have completed a minimum of 12 years of unbroken

service.
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g. Have two good PERs preceding the time of application for

commission.
h. Any other specified guidelines by the respective Services.
SELECTION
07.03. Candidates who fulfill the conditions as set out at

Paragraph 07.02 above and who are recommended by their
Commanding Officers/Commanders shall undergo an interview by the
respective Service Selection Boards to determine their suitability.
TRAINING
07.04. Candidates who pass the Selection Board shall undergo a

commissioning training at a designated Service school and may be
commissioned on successful completion of the training. Further
training will be as specified by the Services.
SENIORITY
07.05. Candidates shall be commissioned as Lt/SLt/Fg Offr.

Seniority on commission shall be subject to the decision of the
Service Council/Board.
07.06. The rank ceiling for this commission type shall be

Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr. However, officers with exceptional ability may
be recommended for promotion to the next higher rank of Lt
Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr subject to the approval of Service Council/Board. Any
such officer so promoted shall be promoted to retirement.
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LENGTH OF SERVICE
07.07. EC/SD/BC is pensionable with service continuing until the

age limits in Paragraph 03.10 of this document are reached.
07.08. An EC/SD or BC officer who wishes to extend his service

beyond the specified age ceiling shall apply and his application for
extension of service will be referred to Service Council/Board for
consideration. Extension beyond 35 years of service shall not be
allowed.

RESIGNATION
07.09. The rule on voluntary retirement or resignation for

officers granted a Regular Combatant Commission set out in
Paragraph 03.12 shall apply.
07.10. Transfer to the Reserve shall be governed by regulations

laid down by the Federal Government from time to time.
07.11. A recall from the Reserve shall be governed by such

regulations as are laid down by the Federal Government from time to
time.
RESIGNATION AND RETIREMENT
07.12. The rule on resignation and retirement given in Paragraph

11.02 shall apply.
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EXERCISE OF COMMAND
07.13. An officer holding an EC/SD/BC shall not exercise power

of command over a RCC or SSC commissioned officers. EC/SD/BC
commissioned officers shall therefore not be promoted beyond the
rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr.
TERMINAL BENEFITS
07.14. The following conditions for Terminal Benefits shall apply:
a. Details of terminal leave are as set out in

Paragraph 19.07 of this document.
b. Details and eligibility for pension and/or gratuity are as

set out in Chapter 22 of this document.
07.15. – 07.17. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 8
CONCESSIONAL COMMISSION
08.01 Concessional Commission is another outlet of Executive

Commission granted to outstanding soldiers/ratings/airmen who
possess exemplary leadership qualities but are above the age limit
provided in Paragraph 07.02a. The purpose of the Concessional
Commission is to reward hard work, enhance the retirement benefits
of the beneficiaries and to recognize their meritorious service to the
nation. It also serves as a motivation to non-commissioned officers
to aspire for such elevation.
CONDITIONS
08.02. In order to be considered for the grant of this

commission, candidates must fulfill the following:
a. Be of the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) and

above or equivalent.
b. Be RSMs of Defence Headquarters, Service Headquarters,

Corps/Divisional/Equivalent Tri-Service Establishment
Headquarters.
c. Any other soldier/rating/airmen of the rank of MWO and

above who has distinguished himself as determined by the
Service Chief.
d. Have completed a minimum of 33 years of unbroken

service.
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e. Any other condition(s) as may be applicable by the

Service Chief/Council/Board.
SENIORITY
08.03. Candidates will be commissioned as Captain or

equivalents and seniority on commission shall be determined subject
to the decision of the Service Council/Board.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
08.04. Concessional Commission is pensionable with service

continuing until 6 months period before retirement. It is a terminal
and non-promotable commission.
OTHERS
08.05. Other provisions applicable to EC/SD/BC in Paragraphs

07.09, 07.12, 07.13 (less promotion) and 07.14 shall apply.
08.06. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 9
FEMALE OFFICERS
GENERAL
09.01. The role into which female officers will be deployed in the
Services shall be determined by the Service Council/Board from time
to time.
09.02. Women are eligible for the grant of a Regular, Direct

Regular, Direct Short Service and Executive/Special Duty/Branch/
Concessional Commission. All conditions applicable for the grant of
these commissions to male officers shall also apply.
09.03. Female officers undergoing an initial military training shall

be accommodated separately in any military training institution and
all restrictions applicable to women under such conditions shall apply.
LEAVE ALLOWANCE
09.04. The rules governing leave allowance for female officers

shall be as set out in Paragraph 18.08 of this document.
MATERNITY LEAVE
09.05. The conditions for the grant of maternity leave to female

officers are as those applicable in the Public Service Rules. A Female
personnel who is pregnant is entitled to 16 weeks maternity leave at
a stretch with full pay. A medical certificate showing the expected
date of confinement must be presented not less than 2 months
before that date. The annual leave for that year will, however, be
regarded as part of the maternity leave.
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09.06 Where the annual leave has already been availed before
the grant of maternity leave, that part of the maternity leave
equivalent to the annual leave would still be granted with pay.
Female officers who are undergoing basic military training shall not
be pregnant. Where this happens they shall be withdrawn from the
training and may face disciplinary action.
POSTINGS
09.07. Irrespective of marital status, female officers’ posting

shall be in accordance with the exigencies of Service. However,
efforts would be made to ensure that a married female officer is
posted to serve near or in the same location with her husband.
09.08. – 09.21. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 10
CHAPLAIN AND IMAM OFFICERS
GENERAL
10.01. Chaplain and Imam Officers are commissioned to provide

for the spiritual well-being of Service personnel and their families.
10.02. For a candidate to be commissioned as a Chaplain or

Imam, he must have the appropriate qualification and be ordained in
accordance with the requirements of his religious denominations.
10.03. The effective date of commission shall be published in the

respective Service Orders and the Official Gazette of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
10.04. Candidates for Commission as Chaplain or Imam shall,

where necessary, be recommended by their denominations. In the
case of an Imam, where a candidate does not have a
recommendation, members of the Commissioning Board shall include
a representative of the Directorate of Islamic Affairs.
10.05. Successful candidates shall be granted Direct Regular or

Direct Short Service Commission. Those granted DSSC shall on
application and approval by the Service Chief be eligible for
conversion to the Direct Regular Commission after 3 years of service.
The Service Chaplains and Imams will maintain their relative
seniorities on the roll of their denominations.
10.06. Religious heads have the right to withdraw any Chaplain

seconded to the Services but the Services reserve the right to reject
such requests especially when such a chaplain’s services are still
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required. In any case, no Chaplain or Imam shall be withdrawn

before completion of 5 years of service.
PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES
10.07. Pension and gratuity shall be in accordance with the

Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria
(MFAAFN) and the Armed Forces Pension Act (AFP).
RETIREMENT
10.08. The rules governing retirement given in Chapter 11 of this

document shall apply.
10.09. In addition, however, irrespective of rank, the compulsory

retirement age of a Chaplain or Imam could be extended to 60 years
at the discretion of the relevant Service Chief.
DISCIPLINE
10.10. In spiritual and ecclesiastical matters, Chaplains and

Imams are subject to the disciplinary powers of their appropriate
religious authorities. Chaplains and Imams shall also be subject to
normal military discipline.
10.11. Chaplains and Imams are to wear uniforms in line with

their respective Service dress regulations, except when performing
religious functions, where they will be expected to observe the dress
regulations applicable to their respective faiths.
TERMINAL BENEFITS
10.12. The provisions for Terminal Benefits for Direct Regular

Commission in Paragraph 05.10 of this document shall apply.
10.13. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 11
RESIGNATION, RETIREMENT AND RESETTLEMENT
PART 1
RESIGNATION
11.01. An officer holding a Regular Commission who has

served 15 years, subject to the law in force, may be permitted to
resign his commission. Such an application for resignation may be
approved by the Service Council/Board. The officer will be entitled to
gratuity in line with the existing Pensions Act.
RETIREMENT
11.02. Compulsory retirement or resignation may be effected for

any of the following reason(s):
a. An officer may, at any time, be removed from the Service

or be called upon to retire or resign his commission on
disciplinary grounds.
b. An officer who on account of ill health is reported by an

approved Medical Board as being unfit for further military
service in accordance with the Medical Standard in the
respective Services, shall be retired.
c. An officer may be compulsorily retired from the Service

by the Service Council/Board for any of the following specific
reasons:
(1) Medical unfitness, disability etc.
(2) Failed Promotion Examination or CAPEX 3 times.

(3) Failed Promotion Board 3 times.
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(4) On disciplinary grounds i. e serious offence(s).
(5) Undeployability arising from restructuring and/or

lack of establishment.
(6) On attaining the age ceiling specified for his rank.
(7) Incompetence, indolence, etc.
(8) Disloyalty to constituted authority on written order
both in peace time and in operations.
(9) Failure at Staff Course and post-Staff College
Courses.
d. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an officer earmarked for
compulsorily retirement, except in accordance with
Paragraphs 11.02 (c) [4], [7] or [8], of this document shall be
called upon to retire voluntarily, failure of which he would be
compulsorily retired.
e. An officer called upon to retire, resign or to relinquish his
commission shall, if he so desires, appeal to Mr. President, the
C-in-C through the CDS within 30 days to have his case
reconsidered.
TRANSFER TO RESERVE
11.03. Transfer to the Reserve will be governed by such

regulations as shall be laid down from time to time.
11.04. Recall from the Reserve will be governed by such

regulations as are laid down from time to time.
RESIGNATION
11.05. The rules governing officers holding regular commission

as set out in Paragraph 03.12 of this document shall apply.
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SECURITY OF SERVICE OF THE COMMISSIONED OFFICER
11.06. Notwithstanding, the provisions of Paragraphs 11.01

and 11.02 above, no commissioned officer shall be called upon to
retire, relinquish or resign his commission or transfer to the Reserve,
nor shall pressure be exerted on him to do so except by the authority
of the appropriate Service Council/Board.
11.07. Where an officer has objection on being called upon to

retire or resign, he may seek redress up to the highest possible level.
TENURE OF DEFENCE AND SERVICE CHIEFS
11.08. An officer appointed the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of

Army Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff shall be a
four-star general and may hold the appointment for a continuous
period of 2 years. The C-in-C may extend such an appointment for
another period of 2 years from the date of expiration of the
initial 2-year period.
11.09. The foregoing notwithstanding, the President, C-in-C

reserves the prerogative to extend the tenure of a CDS/Service Chief
irrespective of his age or length of service.
PART II
RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND RESETTLEMENT
GENERAL
11.10. A career in the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a primary one

since the Services require only able-bodied persons. It follows then
that quite a number of officers are bound to retire when they can still
be usefully engaged in other professions outside the military.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING

11.11. All commissioned officers that are eligible to serve for
more than 7 years are encouraged to study for a degree/professional
qualification in any discipline that may prepare them for resettlement.
Each Service Headquarters may approve such request for study. Such
officers are required to have attained a minimum rank of
Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt.
HOUSING SCHEME
11.12. All officers, especially of the rank of Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt
and above, should be encouraged to own a house in any part of the
country. They may wish to leverage the services of the various
Services Housing Loan Scheme or the Federal Mortgage Bank to
supplement the Federal Government Staff Housing Loan Scheme.
Services may be required to guarantee loan for officer wishing to
obtain such facilities for the purpose of building a house.
PLACEMENT OF RETIRED OFFICERS

11.13. Services shall assist all officers who retire voluntarily to
resettle in civilian life through job placement and other beneficial
engagements within and outside the Service.
11.14. An officer who intends to retire and wants his Service to
assist him in resettling, must give his Service a minimum of 2 years
notice of such an intention.
11.15. Such notice of retirement and resettlement once

approved by the Service Council/Board shall not be declined by the
officer under any circumstances where the retirement was voluntary.
However, where the appropriate authority decides that the services
of the officer are still required, the notice shall not stand.
11.16. Upon receipt of a notice for retirement, the appropriate

Service Headquarters, taking the officer’s qualifications,
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administrative capabilities, experience and other qualities into

consideration, is to initiate contact with civilian establishments in the
public and private sectors with a view to placing the officer in an
appointment commensurate with his rank, experience and
qualification.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR CDS AND SERVICE CHIEFS

LT GEN/EQUIVALENTS MAJ GEN/EQUIVALENTS BRIG
GEN/EQUIVALENTS AND COLS/EQUIVALENTS
11.17. A CDS, Service Chief, Lt Gen/equivalents Maj

Gen/equivalents, Brig Gen/equivalents and Cols/equivalents who is
not on active service shall be entitled to the benefits mentioned in
Paragraph 11.18 – 11.21 of this document if he has not taken up any
other appointment to be paid for from public funds except if so
appointed by the President of the Federal Republic Nigeria. When so
appointed, the appointment shall only attract allowances
commensurate with such post and not a salary.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR CDS AND SERVICE CHIEFS
11.18. The following benefits shall be applicable:

a. One bullet-proof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be
maintained by the Service and to be replaced every 4 years.
b. Peugeot 508 or equivalent back up vehicle
c. Retention of all military uniform and accoutrement to be
worn for appropriate ceremonies.
d. Five domestic aides (2 x Service cook, 2 x steward and a
civilian gardener).
e. Aide-de-Camp/Security Officer.
f. SA (Lt/Capt or equivalents} or PA (WO or equivalents).
g. Standard Guard (9 soldiers).
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h. Three Service Drivers.

i. One Service Orderly.
j. Escorts (to be provided by appropriate Military units/
formation as the need arises).
k. Retention of personal firearms (on his demise the

personal firearm(s) shall be retrieved by the relevant Service).
l. Free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR LIEUTENANT GENERAL/

EQUIVALENT
a. 2 x Peugeot 508 or one Toyota Land cruiser.

b. Two Cooks.
c. Two Stewards.
d. 4 x Residential Guards.
e. One Service Orderly
f. Two Service Drivers.
g. Free medicals in Nigeria, and abroad to the tune of
USD 20,000:00 per year.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR MAJOR GENERALS/BRIGADIER

GENERALS AND EQUIVALENT
a. Officers of 2-Star Rank.
(1) One x Peugeot 508.

(2) One Cook.
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(3) One Steward.

(4) 2 x Residential Guards.
(5) One Service Orderly
(6) One Service Driver.
(7) Free medicals in Nigeria, and abroad to the tune of
USD15,000:00 per year.
b. Officers of One-Star Rank.
(1) One x Peugeot 408.

(2) One Service Driver.
(3) 2 x Residential Guards.
(4) One Service Orderly.
(5) Free medicals in Nigeria, and abroad to the tune of
USD10,000:00.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR COLONELS AND EQUIVALENTS

a. Peugeot 301 or another car of the same value.
b. Free medical cover in Nigeria.
11.22. Para 11.19 (a - g), Para 11.20 (a - b) and

Para 11.21 (a – b) may be monetized.
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CHAPTER 12
ACADEMIC/PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
FOR CONSIDERATION FOR GRANT OF A
COMMISSION
12.01. The requisite qualification for entry into the NDA for
regular combatant commission training is WASC, GCE ‘O’ Level, NECO
SSC, NABTEBC or equivalents. However, an NDA Cadet who does not
obtain a degree in the course of training shall not be granted a
commission.
12.02. For the grant of any other commission apart from

EC/SD/BC, a candidate must possess at least one of the following
qualifications:
a. A Bachelors Degree.
b. An HND or equivalent.
c. Any other relevant professional or specialist qualification.
All degrees/diplomas and other professional qualifications must be

obtained from recognized universities and institutions of higher
learning and be registered where applicable by the appropriate
professional bodies in Nigeria.
12.03. Infantry/Armour/Artillery. A degree/equivalent in

any of the Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences or humanities.
12.04. Piloting. A minimum of Commercial Pilot License with

instrument Rating, in addition to the qualifications specified in
Paragraph 12.02, of this document where applicable, shall be
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required for the grant of commission. This provisional consideration

shall be reviewed by 2021 when sufficient pilots, including female
pilots, are expected to have graduated from the NDA.
12.05. Engineering. Any of the following qualifications is

required for the grant of a commission:
a. Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying

Land-Surveying and others as may be specified in respective
Service Orders.
b. Graduate membership of the Institute of Engineers,

Architects, Surveyors and others as may be approved by
respective Service Orders.
c. HND or its equivalent in the field of Engineering.
12.06. Signals/Communication and Electronics.
a. Degree in Electronics, Telecommunications or Electrical

Engineering.
b. Graduate membership of any of the Engineering

Institutes.
c. HND or its equivalent in the field of Telecommunications.
12.07. Supply and Transport/Logistics.
a. Degree in Petroleum Engineering.
b. Degree in Transportation Management/Final Certificate of

Institute of Transport Technology.
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c. Degrees in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Economics,

Business Management and Accountancy, HND in Purchasing
and Supply (PS).
d. HND Catering.
e. City and Guilds No. 152 or 151.
f. ACIS.
12.08. Medical. Degree/professional qualifications registered

with the appropriate professional body shall be required in any one of
the following fields:
a. Medicine/Dentistry.
b. Pharmacy.
c. Medical Imaging Science.
d. Dietetics.
e. Medical Laboratory Technology.
f. Dental Laboratory Technology.
g. Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy.
h. Social Welfare.
i. Medical Records.
j. Clinical Psychology.
k. Public Health.
l. Nursing.
m. Prosthetics.
n. Hospital Administration.
o. Dental Therapy.
p. Optometrics.
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12.09. Provost.
a. LLB, BL.
b. Degree in Criminology.
c. Degree in Psychology.
d. Degree in Social Science.
e. Degree in Ballistics.
f. Degree in Forensic Science.
g. Degree in Criminal Justice.
12.10. Education. Degree in Education, Arts, Sciences, Social

Sciences, Library Studies etc.
12.11. Finance.
a. Degree in Economics, Accountancy and Business

Administration.
b. Possession of ICAN, ANAN, ACMA, ACCA, ACA or any other

recognized professional accountancy qualification would be an
added advantage.
c. HND Business and Accounts.
12.12. Public Relations.
a. Degree in Mass Communication.
b. Degree in Social Sciences.
c. Degree in Public Administration.
d. HND in Printing Technology.

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12.13. Legal Services. The qualification required for

commissioning is LLB and BL.
12.14. Music.
a. Degree in Music.
b. HND in Music.
12.15. Information Computer Communication and

Technology (ICCT)
a. Degree in Statistics.
b. Degree in Economics.
c. Degree in Mathematics.
d. Degree in Computer Science.
e. Degree in Computer Engineering.
12.16. Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic).
a. Successfully completed a 3-year course in ecclesiastic

philosophy leading to a first degree.
b. Completed a 4-year course in Dogmatic Theology (BD

degree).
c. Be a validly ordained Priest.
d. Completed one year apprenticeship in Apostolic Ministry.
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12.17. Chaplain Services (Protestant).
a. BA Theology.
b. BA Religious Studies.
c. HND in Theology.
d. HND in Religious Studies.
e. HND in Christian Ministries.
12.18. Imam.
a. Degree in Islamic Studies with special reference to

Islamic Jurisprudence and Theology.
b. Post-graduate Diploma in Arabic/Islamic Studies.
c. HND Islamic/Arabic studies or its equivalent with at

least 10 years’ experience and the ability to read and write
Arabic and English Languages.
12.19. And others as may be specified in the respective Services.
12.20. Irrespective of the length of experience, the highest rank

on commission of any professional, shall not exceed Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt
Lt, except in cases of Medical Consultants who shall be commissioned
Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr. The salaries of experienced professionals may be
fixed in such a manner as to enable them earn a pay not less than
that of their civilian counterparts in government employment with
same qualification and experience are earning. This salary will be
personal to the officer.
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CHAPTER 13
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
GENERAL
13.01. The Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional Service whose

rate of technological development is inextricably tied to the trend of
technological advancement of the industrialized countries from where
equipment are procured. The Armed Forces of Nigeria would
therefore require officers to be educationally sound in order to cope
with the demands of training and operations.
TYPES OF TRAINING
13.02. The Armed Forces of Nigeria offers 2 types of training to

its officers:
a. Professional Training. Professional training is

designed to enhance the operational capability of the officer.
b. Academic Training. Academic training is designed to

enable officers derive maximum benefit from professional
training in addition to broadening their general knowledge.
13.03. An officer with appropriate academic training could

professionally work in more than one Corps/Branch. Officers should
be absorbed or be able to transfer their services to Corps/Branches
other than to those they are initially appointed. This should be,
especially the case if their educational discipline appears to be
capable of handling jobs of their Corps/Branches or other
Corps/Branches.
13.04. Reserved.
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AVENUES FOR TRAINING
13.05. Two avenues are open for officers for their education and
training in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
a. Nomination for professional courses.
b. Self-improvement educational scheme including:
(1) In-service courses in any field decided upon by the

Services as beneficial to their operations.
(2) Correspondence, open and part-time courses at

institutions of higher learning.
(3) Full time study in higher institutions for first and

higher degrees and professional qualifications. For Sub
Paragraphs 13.05 b (2) and (3) above, officers
themselves will be responsible for securing admission.
SPONSORSHIP
13.06. In order that officers may avail themselves of the

opportunities in 13.05 of this document:
a. The Service may offer full sponsorship to officers

admitted to pursue full-time degree, HND, post-graduate
professional courses in any relevant discipline.
sb. Officers already in Service and passing through this

scheme will continue with their present conditions of Service for
promotion purposes.
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ELIGIBILITY
13.07. Sponsorship for full time graduate and post graduate

courses or equivalent will be open to officers who have attained
a minimum rank of Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt and have completed their
appropriate basic professional courses. All such sponsorship as well
as self sponsorship shall be authorized by Service Headquarters.
13.08. Reserved.
CONSIDERATION FOR PROMOTION
13.09. Any officer on staff course and post-staff course i.e.

National Defence Course (NDC) or equivalent shall not be considered
for promotion until successful completion of such a course.
13.10. Where an officer is withdrawn from a sponsored course for

poor performance, such an officer shall lose one year seniority.
SPONSORSHIP BOARD
13.11. The respective Service Headquarters will set up Sponsorship

Boards to screen and select suitable applicants.
CONDITIONS WHILE IN TRAINING
13.12. During training at any civil institution, all Service

personnel shall wear mufti and will be regarded as students for the
purpose of university discipline. They are expected to take part in all
legitimate university activities; excluding student unionism,
strikes/demonstrations etc, no matter how legitimate such may be.
13.13. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 14
LEGAL POSITION AND LIABILITIES
GENERAL
14.01. A civilian joining the Armed Forces of Nigeria shall, in

addition to civil law, be subject to military law under the AFA 2004 as
Amended.
14.02. When an officer is outside Nigeria on operations, training

or exchange programme, his legal position shall be determined by
the agreement entered into between Nigeria and the host country or
responsible body.
14.03. An officer and officer cadet in any training institution shall

be subject to the rules and regulations of the training institution,
whether local or abroad.
14.04. An officer shall be required to serve anywhere.
LEGAL AID
14.05. Legal aid shall be provided to a Service member who,

while carrying out official duties or any other duty sanctioned by the
Service authority, incurs a civil or criminal liability. The Service
member must be seen to be acting within the scope of his duty.
SUSPENSIONS AND FORFEITURES
14.06. The following rules with regards to suspension and

forfeiture of an officer’s emoluments shall prevail:
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a. If he is charged for an offence relating to fraud, stealing,

embezzlement etc.
b. The effective date shall be the date the officer is charged

or 28 days after he has been placed under close arrest pending
trial, whichever is earlier.
14.07. Only a Service Chief can order the suspension of an

officer’s pay. If the officer is subsequently cleared of the charges, he
shall have his pay restored and all arrears paid.
14.08. If the officer is convicted and awarded a light punishment

e.g. loss of seniority, the appropriate Service Chief may authorize a
refund of all or part of his suspended pay, and his pay will be
restored with effect from the date the sentence was passed.
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CHAPTER 15
INTER CORPS/BRANCH/SPECIALTY/SERVICE TRANSFER
GENERAL
15.01. Officers of the rank of Capt and equivalent and below,

who in the course of their military career decide to change their
Corps/Branch/Specialty, may be permitted to do so under regulations
and conditions in the respective Services.
INTER CORPS/BRANCH/SPECIALTY TRANSFER
15.02. Inter-Corps/Branch/Specialty transfer shall be subject to

regulations guiding these types of transfer in the respective Services.
In addition, the following shall apply:
a. A Board is to be convened by the respective Service HQ

for the purpose of determining the suitability of all applicants
for Inter-Corps/Branch/Specialty transfer.
b. The Board is to sit once every year and all applications

received during the year are to be collated along with relevant
documents and presented before the Board.
c. Applications which can be made at any time of the year

should be made through the Officer’s Unit Commanding Officer/
Commander and to be accompanied by two PERs proceeding
the time of the application for transfer.
d. The application must clearly state reasons for desiring to

change Corps/Branch/Specialty.
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e. If the present Head of Corps/Branch/Specialty approves

the application, he is to indicate his willingness to release the
officer.
f. If the prospective Head of Corps/Branch/Specialty agrees

to accept the officer, the application shall be forwarded to
Service HQ for the necessary authority.
15.03. The Board will have the powers to recommend a change

of Corps/Branch/Specialty, even if a Commanding Officer/
Commander, has not recommended the officer for such a change,
and if in the opinion of the Board, the officer has genuine reasons to
apply for the change. Where there is a clear case of
misunderstanding between the officer and the Commanding Officer/
Commander and the Board feels that the officer can do well if he
transfers to another Corps/Branch/Specialty, the Board may
recommend a change.
15.04. Inter Corps/Branch/Specialty/ Service transfer can only be

permitted once for all time except officially ordered in cases of
exigency of Service.
AUTOMATIC TRANSFER OF COMBATANT OFFICERS
15.05. A combatant officer who gains admission into an

institution of higher learning for a professional course and has his
admission accepted by the Head of the Corps/Branch/Specialty to
which his course is relevant and has also obtained the losing and
receiving Service HQ’s approval, shall on graduation be transferred to
the new Corps/Branch/Specialty/Service transfer. However, the
officer must not exceed the rank of Capt or equivalent, at the time
the change is effected.
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15.06. If the officer in Paragraph 15.05 of this document fails to

meet the professional requirement of his new Corps/Branch/Specialty
and cannot be deployed, he will go back to his former
Corps/Branch/Specialty.
TRANSFER FOR NON COMBATANTS
15.07. DRC officers are not eligible for

inter-Corps/Branch/Specialty/Service transfer unless on
special/exceptional cases.
15.08. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 16
PAY AND ALLOWANCES
16.01. The Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure

(CONAFSS), as approved by Federal Government National Salaries,
Incomes and Wages Commission Circular Reference No.
SWC/S/04/S.304/ dated 18 January 2007, shall apply, with necessary
modifications, alterations and replacements from time to time as may
be approved by the Federal Government.
16.02. Details of harmonised allowances for officers as

promulgated in the Armed Forces of Nigeria Manual of Financial
Administration shall apply.
16.03. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 17
PROMOTIONS
GENERAL
17.01. Promotions shall be a privilege for officers. This is

without prejudice to the conditions laid down from time to time by
the Service Council/Board.
17.02. All promotions shall be published in the respective Service

Orders and Federal Government Gazette.
17.03. Acting and field ranks are not scheduled promotion in the
Services. However, acting and field ranks may be granted to
individual officers during war and peace time based on the exigency
of duty/Service.
PROMOTION OF JUNIOR OFFICERS
17.04. Substantive promotions up to the rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn

Ldr shall be by time amongst other conditions. These time
requirements are as stated below:
a. Cadet to Lt/SLt/Fg Offr. Commission to these ranks

shall be automatic after 5 years from the date of
commencement of cadet training except on disciplinary ground
(Period of 2Lt/Mid/Plt Offr inclusive).
b. Lt/SLt/Fg Offr to Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt. Promotion

to these ranks shall be after 5 years in the rank of Lt/SLt/Fg
Offr.
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c. Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt to Maj/Lt Cdr/SqnLdr.

Promotion to these ranks shall be after 5 years in the rank of
Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt.
d. In addition to Sub–Paragraphs (b) and (c) above, a

candidate should:
(1) Have satisfactory PER/Confidential Report for 3

consecutive years.
(2) Be recommended by his Unit Commanding Officer/

Commander.
(3) Be successful in the prescribed promotion

examinations (to a maximum of 3 attempts and have
been awarded pjsc for Sub-Paragraph c only).
(4) Have satisfied other conditions as may be

prescribed by Service Council/Board.
PROMOTION OF SENIOR OFFICERS
17.05. All promotions above the rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr shall
be by selection, 3 good PERs preceding the time of presentation, and
success in a Promotion Board. In addition, the following conditions
shall apply:
a. Promotion to Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr. For an officer to be

promoted to Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr, he must fulfill the following
conditions:
(1) Awarded psc (RCC only).
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(2) Deployable to Staff/Comd appointments.

(3) Have stayed a minimum of 6 years in the rank of
Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr.
(4) Other conditions not mentioned here but covered
by individual Service guidelines.
b. Promotion to Col/Capt (NN)/Gp Capt. For an officer

to be promoted to Col/Capt (NN)/Gp Capt, he must fulfill the
following conditions:
(1) Awarded psc (RCC only).

(2) Eminently deployable.
(3) Have stayed a minimum of 5 years in the rank of Lt
Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr.
(4) Fulfill other conditions that may be introduced by
the individual Services from time to time.
c. Promotion to Brig Gen/Cdre/Air Cdre. For an officer

to be promoted to the rank of Brig Gen/Cdre/Air Cdre, he must
fulfill the following conditions:
(1) Awarded fdc/mni or equivalent (RCC only).

(2) Be eminently deployable.
(3) Have stayed a minimum of 5 years as a
Col/Capt(NN)/Gp Capt.
(4) Fulfill other conditions that may be introduced by
the individual Services from time to time.
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PROMOTION TO THE RANK OF MAJ GEN/R ADM/AVM
17.06. All promotions to the rank of Maj Gen/R Adm/AVM shall

be by selection, 3 good PERs preceding the time of application, and
success in a Promotion Board. In addition, the following conditions
shall apply:
a. Awarded fdc/mni or equivalent (RCC only).

b. Be eminently deployable.
c. Have the professional ability, expertise and appropriate
qualification.
d. Availability of vacancy for the rank as per the required
establishment.
e. Have stayed a minimum of 4 years on the rank.
f. Fulfill other conditions that may be introduced by the
individual Services from time to time.
17.07. Reserved.
PROMOTION TO LT GEN/EQUIVALENT AND ABOVE
17.08. For an officer to be eligible for the promotion to

Lt Gen/Equivalent and above, he must have stayed a minimum of 3
years on the rank of Maj Gen/R Adm/AVM.
17.09. Reserved.
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RESTORATION OF LOSS OF SENIORITY
17.10. Loss Owing to Disciplinary Award. An officer

sentenced by Court Martial or summarily to forfeit seniority in his
substantive rank shall so forfeit his seniority as stated by the
sentence.
17.11. Grant of Seniority After Forfeiture. When a case in

which a punishment of forfeiture of seniority has been awarded is
reviewed in accordance with the Armed Forces Act, the authority
reviewing the case is to direct when the forfeiture of seniority will be
first reconsidered by the Appropriate Superior Authority (ASA) under
this paragraph. Without prejudice to the afore-mentioned, where
restoration of seniority is successful, it shall not attract any arrears of
pay. However, the procedure shall be as follows:
a. Loss of seniority shall be reconsidered not earlier than 3

years after the effective date of the award and may thereafter
be reconsidered at intervals of not more than 2 years.
b. The ASA will state when next reconsideration (if any) will
take place if the seniority is not restored in the first
consideration.
c. Recommendation under this subject will take into account

the following points:
(1) The original offence.
(2) Conduct of the officer since the forfeiture.
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(3) Effect of the forfeiture on his pay, promotion and

morale.
(4) Act of gallantry.
d. Consideration of forfeited seniority shall be ordered by

ASA.
e. A Board shall be convened by the Services from time to

time to consider seniority lost through non-recommendation.
Reports of such a Board shall not be binding unless approved
by appropriate Service HQs.
PASSED OVER OFFICER
17.12. All officers will continue to be considered for promotion to

the next higher ranks until they are passed over 3 times in any rank
by the Promotion Boards of the respective Services. However, officers
should be informed of the reasons for being passed over. Officers
shall at each pass over lose 12 months seniority.
17.13. Brigadier Generals and equivalent and above passed over

by Promotion Board shall on subsequent promotion be given seniority
in the year of promotion.
RETIREMENT DUE TO NON-PROMOTION PROSPECTS
17.14. Any officer placed on the non-promotable list shall be

presented before a Career Review Board to determine his further
suitability in Service. The Career Review Board’s decision shall be
subject to the approval of the Army Council/Navy Board/Air Force
Council.
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17.15. The following categories of officers shall be placed on

non-promotable list:
a. An officer who fails promotion examination for a rank

thrice.
b. An officer passed over 3 times by a Promotion Board.
c. An undeployable officer as a result of being medically

unfit for duties in his Corps/Branch/Specialty.
d. An officer who has reached the retiring age rank ceiling

as set down in Paragraphs 03.10(b) of this document.
PROMOTION AFTER NOTICE OF RETIREMENT
17.16. An officer who qualifies to be considered for promotion

shall not be disqualified on grounds that he is about to retire. Notice
to retire should be regarded as a routine career procedure. If
promoted, the officer shall still proceed on the retirement except
otherwise decided by the Service Council/Board.
17.17. All promotions in the Armed Forces of Nigeria shall be

governed by the provisions in the Promotion and Manning
Regulations for each Service.
17.18. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 18
ACCOMMODATION
PART 1 - OFFICERS
ELIGIBILITY
18.01. A single officer, shall be accommodated in single officers’

accommodation. A married officer unaccompanied shall be
accommodated in the officers’ mess and such an officer may be
allowed to stay in a private quarter if mess accommodation or single
quarters are not available at the time of his arrival in the new unit.
18.02. A system based on the rank, appointment, the size of

family, periods of separation from the family and period of
occupation of non-official accommodation, as laid down in relevant
instructions, shall apply.
INSTITUTIONAL HOUSES/TIED QUARTERS
18.03. Quarters occupied by the holders of the following

appointments shall be tied to such offices:
a. DHQ
(1) CDS.
(2) Departmental Chiefs.
(3) Comdts of tri-Service Institutions.
(4) Directors/Garrison Commander.
(5) Deputy Directors.
(6) Any other appointment that may be decided upon
by DHQ.
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b. NA
(1) Chief of the Army Staff.

(2) Comd TRADOC.
(3) PSOs.
(4) Corps Comds.
(5) General Officers Commanding.
(7) Comdts NA Training Institutions.
(8) Directors in Service Headquarters.
(9) Brigade Commanders.
(10) Battalion Commanders.
(11) Any other appointments that may be decided upon
by AHQ.
c. NN
(1) Chief of the Naval Staff.

(2) PSOs.
(3) Flag Officers Commanding.
(4) Comds of Autonomous Units.
(5) Comds/COs of Units/Establishments.
(6) Comdts NN Training Institutions.
(8) Any other appointments that may be decided upon
by NHQ.
d. NAF
(1) Chief of the Air Staff.

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(2) PSOs
(3) Gp Comds/SASOs.
(4) COs.
(6) Comdts of NAF Trg Schools/Equivalent.
(7) Any other appointments that may be decided by HQ
NAF.
RENT
18.04. Married Quarters. Rent on married accommodation

shall be in accordance with the prevailing pay and allowances.
RENTED HOUSES
18.05. Where government quarters are not available, the

Services can lease or rent private accommodation. All conditions
applicable to the occupancy of government quarters shall also apply.
ACCOMMODATION ALLOWANCE
18.06. Where government quarters are not provided for and it is

not possible to rent private accommodation for an officer, the officer
can rent a private accommodation on his own. The Lodging/Rent
Subsidy Allowance shall be 30% of his Annual Consolidated Salary.
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PART II – OFFICER CADETS
18.07. A serving soldier/rating/airman who has been receiving

lodging allowance, because a quarter is not available, may continue
to receive lodging allowance on becoming a cadet if he was married
before he became a cadet. Such a cadet will cease to be eligible to
draw lodging allowance from the date on which he is commissioned if
he is provided with Mess accommodation.
18.08. Lodging allowance may be granted to a cadet while he is

in a foreign country if, before his departure from Nigeria:
a. He vacated a married quarters under Paragraph 18.04 of

this document.
b. He was in receipt of lodging allowance.
18.09. –18.15. Reserved
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CHAPTER 19
LEAVE
PART I OFFICERS
ANNUAL LEAVE
19.01. The leave year is from 1 Jan to 31 Dec of every year.

Officers shall complete their privileged leave within the leave year. A
total of 30 working days leave may be granted to serving officers
annually.
19.02. Officers who may be required to return to duty, before

the expiration of any leave granted to them, the balance of such
leave will be carried forward to the retirement period of the officer.
He may, however, be allowed to complete the leave at any time
during the year when the conditions which necessitated his recall no
longer exist.
COMPASSIONATE LEAVE
19.03. On extreme compassionate ground, Commanding

Officers/Commander may grant up to 14 days leave with one free
travel warrant. This will not count against privileged leave. Where
essential, extension of compassionate leave for up to a maximum of
21 days, may be granted by the ASA. In all cases the compassionate
circumstance will be verified before the grant of leave is approved.
19.04. Before an officer leaves active service, all accumulated

leave must be consumed. Where this is not possible, the officers’
entitlement shall be added to his terminal leave.
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SICK LEAVE
19 .05. The grant of sick leave is subject to the following

conditions:
a. Subject to the recommendation of a competent medical

authority, an officer can be granted sick leave not exceeding 21
days in a leave year by his Commanding Officer/Commander.
b. Officers on sick parade granted sick leave by a medical

doctor must ensure that the information about the sick leave
reaches the ASA on time for record purposes.
c. Where the total sick leave granted an officer in a leave

year is in excess of 21 days, if the officer is genuinely sick, his
Commanding Officer/Commander should not refuse granting
the leave but must commence Medical Board proceedings
immediately.
d. The above maximum period does not apply where an

officer is on hospital admission. However, the Commanding
Officer/Commander of the hospital may use his discretion to
recommend the officer to face a Medical Board. This is mainly
in cases of serious illness.
DISEMBARKATION LEAVE
19.06. Officers who have been outside Nigeria on courses or

attachments for a continuous period as stated below (including a
soldier/rating/airman service in the case of newly commissioned
officer), may be granted disembarkation leave as follows:
a. Duration of 3 to 6 months - 7 Working days.
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b. Above six months - 14 Working days.
Such officers shall be entitled to single return ticket to their home

town or where their families reside.
TERMINAL LEAVE
19.07. An officer will be granted 90 working days terminal leave

prior to retirement. To this may be added privileged leave, for that
year, calculated on proportionate basis and any other accumulated
privileged leave.
LEAVE TRAVEL
19.08. When proceeding on leave, an officer shall be entitled

to 10% of his consolidated annual salary.
19.09. Officers granted leave when outside Nigeria on course or

attachment, shall be entitled to:
a. First class travel by rail within the country, subject to a

minimum of 7 days leave being granted in each case. A
maximum of three such journeys may be authorized for an
officer in any one year.
b. Air travel within the country during such leave will be as

follows:
(1) Col/Capt(NN)/Gp Capt and above - Business class.

(2) Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr and below - Economy class.
19.10. An officer on overseas course lasting more than one year

may be allowed to travel home at government expense once
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annually. Air travel in respect of such leave will be as in

Paragraphs 19.09 (b) (1) and (2) above. Families are not allowed to
travel during such leave at government expense.
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PART II - OFFICER CADETS
ANNUAL PRIVILEGED LEAVE
19.11. Officer cadets will be entitled to flat rates of leave travel

allowance as applicable to soldiers/ratings/airmen within Nigeria.
Cadets will enjoy annual privileged leave as dictated by the training
programme of the institution.
19.12. Reserved.
LEAVE IN NIGERIA
19.13. On commission, a Cadet will be granted 2 weeks leave

before reporting to his unit. He shall be entitled to single return
ticket to his home town.
LEAVE OUTSIDE NIGERIA
19.14. An officer cadet outside Nigeria may be granted leave in

accordance with the regulations of the training institution.
LEAVE TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
19.15. Second class free rail travel within the country concerned
shall be authorized for leave granted under Paragraph 18.14 above,
subject to minimum of five days leave being granted in each case.
TERMINAL LEAVE
19.16. Cadets who fail to meet the commissioning criteria

outside Nigeria and who elect to be discharged on return to Nigeria
will not be entitled to terminal leave.
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COMPASSIONATE LEAVE
19.17. The rules on compassionate leave at Paragraph 19.03 of

this document will apply.
SICK LEAVE
19.18. The rules on sick leave at Paragraph 19.05 above will

apply.
DISEMBARKATION LEAVE
19.19. Cadets who fail to meet commissioning criteria and are

returned to unit or discharged will be entitled to disembarkation leave
in accordance with the rules in Harmonised Terms and Conditions of
Service for soldiers/ratings/airmen.
19.20. – 19.25. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 20
TRAVELS
TRAVELLING AT PUBLIC EXPENSE
20.01. An officer is eligible to travel at public expense under the

following circumstances:
a. On change of permanent duty station.
b. On temporary duty tour.
c. On completion of service on the active list (to his

permanent home).
d. On leave, in accordance with the rules set out in

Chapter 19 of this document.
e. Where not covered by the above conditions, on the

authority of an appropriate Commanding Officer/Commander
not below the rank of Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr.
DUTY TOUR ALLOWANCE WITHIN NIGERIA
20.02. The provisions set out at Paragraphs 16.01 of this

document shall apply.
20.03. Reserved.
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20.04. Outside Nigeria.
a. All officers shall be entitled to First Class train tickets

when travelling outside Nigeria.
b. Officers of the rank of Col/Capt/Gp Capt and above are

eligible to travel Business Class by air.
c. Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr and below are to travel Economy Class

by air.
FAMILY PASSAGE OVERSEAS
20.05. An officer attending a course overseas or on attachment

requiring his continuous stay for a period of nine months or more
shall be granted a return passage to his destination along with one
wife and maximum of 4 children under 18 years of age at public
expense.
20.06. – 20.07. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 21
MEDICAL
PART 1 - OFFICERS
MEDICAL ATTENDANCE
21.01. Officers and their families shall receive medical treatment

under the following conditions:
a. Officers, whether on duty or on leave, are entitled to

receive medical attention at public expense.
b. An officer (except when on leave out of a military station)

will attend, in the first instance, the unit medical centre, where
such exist, and will receive attention from a military medical
officer or other authorized medical practitioners.
c. An officer on leave out of a military station, or where

there is no military medical facility, shall receive medical
attention from the nearest government medical facility.
HOSPITAL TREATMENT
21.02. Hospital treatment, whether provided in a military

hospital or government hospital will be at public expense, boarding
and lodging shall also be included. However, treatment in a private
hospital will not be paid for from public fund where it is proved that
the officer had ample opportunity to avail himself of a military or a
government hospital. For the purpose of clarification, government
hospitals include Mission hospitals and medical institutions, which are
run by voluntary agencies as opposed to purely private hospital.
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ARTIFICIAL LIMBS
21.03. The conditions for supply of artificial limbs shall be as

follows:
a. Where the limb was lost as a direct result of an accident

while on duty, and not due to personal negligence, no charge
shall be made for the supply, repair or replacement thereof.
b. Circumstance that will necessitate an officer paying for a

replacement limb will be considered on a case by case basis.
21.04. Special Appliances. The conditions for the replacement

of special limbs shall be as follows:
a. The supply, repair and replacement of special appliances

that are necessary for the military efficiency of an officer shall
be at public expense.
b. Supply, repair and replacement of special appliances shall

be on repayment, at cost price where:
(1) The appliance is not necessary for military

efficiency.
(2) Damage or loss is the fault of the officer.
DENTAL TREATMENT
21.05. Dental treatment shall be provided at a military dental

clinic. When available or at a government dental clinic, treatment to
maintain dental efficiency shall be provided at public expense.
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21.06. Dentures. The conditions for issue of dentures shall be

as follows:
a. Initial issue shall be free.
b. Subsequent issues shall be paid for only when the

wearing of dentures was brought about in the course of
duty.
c. Dentures may not be provided free where the

condition was brought about through the negligence or
fault of the officer.
SPECTACLES
21.07. Initial and subsequent issues of spectacles will be free

except where the condition was occasioned through the officer’s
negligence or fault.
TREATMENT AFTER RETIREMENT
21.08. All retired officers and their families shall be entitled to

receive free medical treatment in Armed Forces of Nigeria and
Government Hospitals.
MEDICAL TREATMENT OUTSIDE NIGERIA
21.09. Medical treatment outside Nigeria will be approved by the

Ministry of Defence on the recommendation of the respective Service
Medical Boards. If a Service Medical Board considers that the
treatment outside Nigeria is necessary, its recommendation shall be
subject to approval by the Head of each Service Medical Corps, who
shall personally certify the Medical Board’s report. Where the Head of
respective Service Medical Corps is not available, the officer
designated to act for him shall exercise the authority.
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PART II - FAMILIES OF OFFICERS
GENERAL
21.10. The family of an officer shall be as defined in Chapter 1.

It is not necessary for the family to be in occupation of married
quarters to be eligible for medical attention under this Chapter.
MEDICAL ATTENDANCE
21.11. The family of an officer is entitled to receive medical

treatment at public expense. The family should attend, and receive
medical attention from a military medical officer or other authorized
medical practitioner. Where there is no unit medical centre, the
family may receive medical attention from the nearest government
medical facility.
HOSPITAL TREATMENT
21.12. The conditions for admission to hospital shall be as

follows:
a. The family of an officer shall be admitted to a military
hospital or civilian hospital where there is no military hospital.
b. Hospital treatment, including maternity cases, whether

provided in a military/government hospital, shall be at public
expense.
21.13. Reserved.
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MEDICAL TREATMENT OUTSIDE NIGERIA
21.14. The conditions for treatment outside Nigeria shall be as

follows:
a. When recommended by a Medical Board, wives of officers

shall receive medical treatment overseas at government
expense, i.e, government shall pay hospital bills and while
convalescing out of hospital on the doctor’s advice, the Nigerian
High Commission/Embassy shall pay the hotel bills and cost of
drugs purchased.
b. All the recorded children of officers (not more than 4)

shall receive medical treatment overseas when recommended
by a Medical Board, at government expense, i.e, government
will settle the medical bills, and while convalescing out of
hospital, on the doctor’s advice, the Government shall pay hotel
bills and cost of drugs purchased.
c. No allowances are payable.
21.15. Officers’ wives and children who fall sick while on

overseas leave shall not be treated at government expense. Where,
however, any member of an officer’s family who is on private
overseas leave fall sick and the officer is not financially capable of
paying the bills, the Embassy or High Commission shall pay the bills
and forward the particulars for subsequent full recovery from the
officer’s pay. The Service shall return the recovered funds to the
Embassy/High Commission.
21.16. – 21.20. Reserved
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CHAPTER 22
PENSION AND GRATUITY
GENERAL
22.01. The payment of pension and gratuity is covered by the

Armed Forces Pensions Act No. 103, 1979 (CAP 23) of the Laws of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria as may be amended from time to
time.
22.02. The actual payment including other non-effective awards

are the responsibility of the Military Pension Board (MPB).
22.03. The rules contained in the succeeding paragraphs are

intended only as a guide towards pensions and gratuities which
officers might expect on retirement or resignation. More details can
be obtained from the MPB and on confirmation from staff channels.
22.04. The basis for computation of pensions and gratuity should

be full CONAFSS rather than DCONAFSS.
ENTITLEMENTS
22.05. All regular commissioned officers shall be entitled to

pension and gratuity. The officer must have served for a minimum of
5 years to be entitled to gratuity and a minimum of 10 years to be
entitled to pension.
22.06. The following shall apply:
a. An officer holding a Short Service Commission/DRC/DSSC

who retires before 10 years service owing to his inability to
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convert to the regular commission, shall only be entitled to

gratuity calculated in accordance with Paragraph 22.21 of this
document.
b. If an officer holding a Short Service

Commission/DRC/DSSC resigns his commission before 10 years
service, he is entitled to gratuity on pro-rata basis provided
there is no disciplinary case pending against him at the time of
his resignation.
c. Officers holding Regular Commission, who resigns before

10 years of service, shall be entitled to gratuity calculated in
accordance with Paragraph 22.06, Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b)
above.
d. Gratuity for all retirements on medical grounds before 10

years shall be in accordance with Paragraph 22.27 of this
document provided the medical reason for retirement was not
as a result of the officer’s negligence.
WAR SERVICE
22.07. The period served by an officer during an officially

declared war, civil or external, shall count as double for purposes of
calculating his pensions and gratuity. War service means any or all
of the following:
a. Service in the Armed Forces after 27 May 1967 and

ending before 16 January 1970.
b. Any other service as may be so declared from time to

time by an Order made by the President of Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
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AWOL
22.08. If in normal circumstances an officer goes on AWOL, or

deserts from his duty station, the AWOL procedure shall apply.
22.09 For the purpose of Pension and Gratuity, if a conviction of

an officer convicted for AWOL had been published, the period of
absence shall be deducted from his reckonable service before
determining the period for payment.
22.10 A pension or gratuity granted under the Armed Forces

Pension Act No 103, 1979 (CAP 23) LFN shall not be assignable or
transferable or liable to be attached, sequestrated or levied upon for
in respect of any debt or claim whatsoever except for the purpose of
satisfying a debt due to the Federal Government of Nigeria or an
order of any court of competence jurisdiction for the periodic
payment of sums of money towards the maintenance of the wife or
former wife or minor child of the serviceman to whom the pension or
gratuity has been granted.
22.11. Where the Chairman Military Pension Board or his

authorised deputy is satisfied that:
a. A sum is due to the Federal Government of Nigeria from a

person to whom a pension or gratuity may/or have been
awarded under this Act; or
b. An overpayment on account of any such pension or

gratuity has been made to any such person by the Federal
Government of Nigeria, the Chairman Military Pension Board
may authorize the deduction from the pension and/or gratuity
in respect of that sum or overpayment of such amounts at such
times as he may think fit, and the amounts so deducted shall
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be applied in or towards paying or repaying that sum or

overpayment.
MISSING IN ACTION
22.13. A Board of Inquiry shall be convened to investigate the

case of an officer who, after one year is still declared missing. The
Board shall establish the circumstances surrounding the officer’s
disappearance and make recommendation for the officer to be
presumed dead or otherwise. Where the Board concludes that the
officer is presumed dead, his/her NOK shall be paid all his/her
benefits in accordance with Paragraph 22.25. However, if the officer
is found alive after payment of his/her death benefits to the NOK,
another Board could be constituted by the Service to determine the
suitability of such officer remaining in Service or otherwise subject to
the approval of the Service Council/Board.
PRISONER OF WAR
22.14. If an officer is taken Prisoner of War or declared MIA,

his /her monthly salary shall be paid to his/her immediate family until
his/her case is disposed of. If he is ultimately declared dead, the NOK
shall be paid all his/her entitlements together with other entitlements
in accordance with Paragraph 22.25. However, if the officer is found
alive after payment of his/her benefits to the NOK, another Board
could be constituted by the Service to determine the suitability of
such officer remaining in Service or otherwise subject to the approval
of the Service Council/Board.
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LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
22.15. Leave without pay shall not be allowed during the period
of service of an officer.
PENSION, GRATUITIES AND OTHER BENEFITS TO

DEPENDANTS
22.16. Pensions and gratuity to be paid to NOK where an officer

dies shall be as follows:
a. Where an officer dies while in the Service after the

completion of the minimum period of qualifying service, his
benefits shall be paid to his legal personal representative, or to
any person being a relation or dependant of such officer.
(1) A gratuity equal to one year’s salary of such an

officer and the gratuity he would have been entitled to if
he had retired on the date of his death, and
(2) Such pension as would have been payable to the

officer if he had retired at the date of his death.
b. Where an officer dies before completing the minimum

period of qualifying service, his designated NOK shall be paid a
death gratuity of only one year total emolument.
c. Any pension payable under Sub-section (1) above shall be

paid to any person entitled thereof. However, a lump sum
representing 5 years pension may be paid forthwith to the NOK
therein.
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PENSION VERIFICATION
22.17. When a pensioner is unable to attend verification exercise

as may be required from time to time due to incapacitation, a
medical certificate should be issued by a certified military or
government hospital which shall be presented by his NOK during
verification will suffice.
DEATH ON ACTIVE SERVICE
22.18. Any serving officer who dies is regarded as dead while on

active service unless otherwise specified. The circumstances listed
below shall be regarded as Death on Active Service.
a. War including civil war if officially declared by legitimate

government.
b. Civil commotion, uprising if officially deployed.
c. Official sport, e.g. Boxing, Football, Wrestling, etc, during

Service authorized competition.
d. Motor or other forms of accident while on official duty.
e. Handling, testing and storage of ammunition, explosives,

mines, electrical appliance and other military equipment.
f. Fire fighting.
g. Involvement in collapsing structures or trenches including

buildings and bridges during official assignments.
h. Diving, climbing during official duty or in the course of

official engineering duty.
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i. Sea-faring during official duty.
j. Exposure to radioactive and NBC agents.
k. Intelligence service, rescue operations and other special

assignments.
l. Military exercises.
m. Flying duties.
n. Any other circumstance that may be considered on its

merit.
22.19. Pension and gratuity paid to personal representatives

where an officer is killed in the course of duty or action shall be as
follows:
a. Without prejudice to Sub-Paragraph ‘b’ below, where,

during his period of service, an officer dies as a result of
injuries received in the course of his duties:
(1) Without his own fault; and
(2) On account of circumstance specifically attributable

to the nature of his duty, there shall be paid to his legal
personal representative or, (in any case where there is no
legal personal representative to any person being a
trustee or heir of such an officer), a gratuity which the
officer would have been entitled to on the date of his
death whichever is higher.
b. In addition to the gratuity payable under Sub-Paragraph

‘a’ above, there shall be granted:
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(1) If the deceased officer leaves a widow, a pension

shall be paid to her, for life, while unmarried and of good
character, at a rate not exceeding one-third of his
accrued pension at the date of his death.
(2) If the deceased officer leaves a widow, to whom a

pension is granted, under Sub-paragraph (1) of this sub-
paragraph and a child or children, a pension, in respect of
each child, until such child, attains the age of 18 years, of
an amount not exceeding one-third of the pension
prescribed in that paragraph; but where the deceased
leaves only one child, that child shall be entitled to two-
third of the deceased officer’s accrued pension until
he/she attains the age of 18 years, or if engaged in full-
time course of studies at an institution of higher learning,
until he/she attains the age of 25 years.
(3) If the deceased officer leaves a child or children,

but does not leave a widow or no pension is granted to
the widow, a pension in respect of each child until such
child attains the age of 18 years, or double the amount
prescribed by Sub-Paragraph (2) of this Sub-Paragraph.
BURIAL BENEFITS
22.20. In addition to the already existing facilities provided for a

deceased officer in active service, the following facilities are to be
provided. This is in accordance with Public Service Regulations,
a. Preparation or embalmment of a corpse and settlement of

mortuary bills, provision of coffin or casket for officers at the
rate of 10% of the officer’s annual consolidated salary.
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b. Allowing the members of the family of a deceased officer

to remain in Government quarters for six (6) months or until his
death benefits are paid, whichever comes first.
c. The above facilities are not intended to put an end to the

practice whereby colleagues of deceased officer make voluntary
contributions to be given to the family or dependant of the
deceased.
d. Officers’ family as defined in Paragraph 01.04 (l) of this

document are entitled to burial at government expense.
e. The NOK shall be entitled to 30% of the annual

consolidated salary of the deceased officer to assist the family
to relocate from the barracks.
22.21. If any officer who retires after completing 10 years of

service dies within 5 years of his retirement, his designated
beneficiary shall be entitled to the pension awarded to the officer
until the fifth anniversary of the date of his retirement.
22.22. If an officer on active service is missing for one year, a

Board of Inquiry shall be set up to establish the circumstances of the
officer’s disappearance and to make recommendations for the officer
to be presumed dead or otherwise. Where the Board concludes that
the officer is presumed dead, his dependants shall be paid the
benefits as set out in Paragraph 22.16 of this document.
22.23. If an officer is taken Prisoner of War or declared MIA or

KIA, maintenance allowance of 50 per cent of his salary shall be paid
to his family until his case is finally disposed of. If he ultimately dies
or is presumed dead in the process, the family shall be paid the
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remaining 50 per cent of his salary up to the time of the

establishment of the fact together with all his other entitlements.
CHILDREN’S EDUCATION- (DEATH ON ACTIVE SERVICE)
22.24. In addition to provisions in Paragraphs 22.16 - 22.20

above, the Service will be responsible for the training of the deceased
officers’ children within Nigeria except where such trainings are not
available within the country; provided the children are under 18 years
of age and have gained admission into any institution of higher
learning before they attained the age of 18. When such a child is
already in an institution, he/she shall be allowed to complete the
course irrespective of age. For the purpose of training, the children
are to be treated as Federal Government Scholars and all conditions
applicable to Federal Government Scholarship students shall apply to
them.
22.25. Before the payment of gratuity, the spouse/spouses shall

be paid maintenance allowance by the Services calculated at 1/3 of
the officer’s monthly pay. The amount involved will be deducted
from the deceased officer’s entitlement once it is determined.
CASUALTY BENEFITS
22.26. Without prejudice to the provisions of this HTACOS or any

other law in existence, every officer who is killed or dies as a result of
injuries sustained in Active Service within or outside Nigeria shall be
entitled to Casualty Benefits. The benefits payable to the NOK shall
be in accordance with the provisions of the Manual of Financial
Administration for Armed Forces of Nigeria.
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DISABILITY PENSION
22.27. Irrespective of length of service, any officer who is retired

from the Service as a result of injury sustained during official duty
shall be entitled to disability pension. Rates will be determined by
the rules/degree of injury as stated by the Medical Board under the
rules contained in the Armed Forces Pensions Act No. 103, 1979
(CAP 23) of the LFN. Tables A and B of Schedule 2 below as
amended from time to time. Where, however, because of the
officer’s length of service, the disability pension is not likely to be as
much as the officer’s normal pension and gratuity had he retired
normally, the higher of the two will be paid to the officer but he
cannot get both. However, where the disability award is lower or is
deemed as the normal service gratuity, 10% of the percentage
disability should be paid to the officer as compensation in addition to
the gratuity.
TABLE A
DISABILITY PENSION PAYABLE
Category Degree of Disability Disability Pension Payable
A. Not less than 66 % 100% of last ATE pay

B. Less than 66% 60% of last ATE pay
but not less than 20%
C. Less than 20 % 20% of last ATE pay subject
to minimum of N100.00 per
month.
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TABLE B
ASSESSMENT OF DISABLEMENT DUE TO SPECIFIED

INJURIES AND CERTAIN OTHER DISABLEMENTS
Description of Injury Assessment
Amputation Cases Upper Limbs Percentage
Loss of hands or amputation at higher sites 100
Right Arm Left Arm
% %
Amputation at shoulder or below shoulder with 80 70
stumpless than 8 inches from tip of acromion
Amputation from 8 inches from tip of acromion to 70 60
less than 4/4 inches from tip of olecranon
From 4½ inches below tip on olecranon 60 50
Loss of thumb 40 30
Loss of three fingers 30 20
Loss of two fingers 20 20
Loss of terminal phalange right thumb 20 20
In the case of a left handed person certified to be such degree of

disablement appropriate to an injury specified as affecting the left
arm, hand etc shall be that indicated above as appropriate to injury
affecting the right arm, hand etc and vice versa. The loss of a thumb
and four fingers of a hand have the same assessment as the loss of
that hand.
OTHER SPECIFIC INJURIES

Percentage
Loss of one eye, the other being normal - - - 40

Loss of vision of one eye, the other being normal - - 30
Loss of hand and a foot - - - - - - 100
Loss of sight - - - - - - - - 100
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OTHER DISABLEMENTS
Very severe facial disfigurement - - - - - 100
Absolute - - - - - - - - - 100
Mental illness as determined by a Medical Board - - 100
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) illness

as determined by a Medical Board - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 100
22.28. Distribution of entitlement as stated under this section on

pensions and gratuity is to be done without prejudice to the
provisions in the respective Services.
22.29. Any retired officer who becomes disabled within ten years
of retirement is eligible for disability pension provided that the cause
of the disability is traced back to the Service.
22.30. Reserve.
AMPUTATION CASES LOWER LIMB

Percentage
Double amputation, through thigh or through thigh on

one side and loss of the foot, or double amputation
below thigh to 4 inches below knee - - - - 100
Double amputation through leg lower than 4 inches

below knee and loss of other foot - - - - - 100
Modified amputation, both feet - - - - 100
Amputation at tip or below hip with stump not exceeding

5 Inches in length measured from tip of great trochanter - 80
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Percentage
Amputation of leg below hip with stump exceeding 5

inches in length, measured from tip of great trochanter
but not beyond middle thigh - - - - - 70
Below middle thigh 4 inches below the knee - - - 60
Below knee with stump exceeding 4 inches - - - 40
Modified amputation one foot - - - - - 30
Loss of all toes of both feet proximal to the proximal

interphalangeal joint - - - - - - - 30
Loss of all toes of one foot proximal to the interphalangeal

joint - - - - - - - - - - 20
Loss of all toes of both feet distal to the interphalangeal

Joint - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20
22.30. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 23
HONOURS AND AWARDS
GENERAL
23.01. The grant of decorations and medals to commissioned

officers shall be in accordance with the National Honours Act and
Instructions on Military Honours and Awards. All awards or
decorations shall be published in the respective Services Orders and
subsequently in the Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. The definitions of military awards, honours and decorations
are contained in detail in Service Dress Regulations/Orders.
23.02. The awards to officers fall under the following categories:
a. National Awards.
b. Gallantry Awards for distinguished service in operations.
c. Gallantry Awards for non-operational acts.
d. Campaign Medal.
e. Grand Service Star.
f. Admiralty Star for NN.
g. The Distinguished Flying Star (DFS) for NAF.
h. General Service Medal.
i. Distinguished Service Star.
j. Meritorious Service Star.
k. Forces Service Star.
l. Professional Course Bar.
m. The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for NAF.
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n. The Command at Sea Badge for NN.

o. And all other awards as may be approved by the Services
Council/Board.
NATIONAL HONOURS
23.03. Deserving officers who have rendered distinguished and

outstanding service in their various callings to the benefit and
progress of the nation will be recommended for the award of a
National Honour commensurate with their ranks. The following
National Honours may be recommended:
a. Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal

Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of
the Niger (GCON). These classes of honours are exclusively
at the discretion of the President.
b. Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic

(CFR). Officers of Armed Forces of Nigeria of the rank of
Maj Gen/R Adm/AVM and above.
c. Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Officers of Armed Forces of Nigeria of the rank of
Brig Gen/Cdre/Air Cdre.
d. Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Officers of Armed Forces of Nigeria of the rank of
Col/Capt(NN)/Gp Capt.
e. Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Officers of

Armed Forces of Nigeria of the rank of Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr.
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f. Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), and

Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). Any of the
officers not covered above.
GALLANTRY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS IN

OPERATION
23.04. The following awards may be recommended for gallantry

and distinguished service in an operational area:
a. Nigeria Star (NS). The NS may be awarded to any

officer for the most conspicuous bravery in the face of the
enemy or for prominent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the face
of the enemy.
b. The River Niger Star (RNS). The RNS may be

awarded to any commissioned officer in the Armed Forces of
Nigeria for a distinguished act of bravery in the presence of the
enemy.
GALLANTRY AWARDS FOR NON OPERATIONAL ACTS
23.05. River Benue Star (RBS). The RBS may be awarded to

a commissioned officer for a distinguished act of gallantry (non-
operational) in the course of duty i.e not in the face of an enemy.
22.06. Any officer to whom the NS, RNS or RBS has been
awarded who subsequently engages in another act of gallantry
which, if he had not been previously awarded the NS, RNS, or RBS
would have rendered him eligible for it, may be awarded a Bar to be
fixed to the ribbon to the medal and an additional Bar may be
awarded for every additional performance of such service.
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23.07. A recommendation for an award for gallantry should be

made as soon as possible after the action for which the award is
proposed.
23.08. Recommendations are to be treated ‘In-Confidence’.
They are to be submitted in duplicate to the Administration
Department/Branch in their respective Services in accordance with
the instructions contained in the pamphlet on Military Honours and
Awards.
FORCES SERVICE STAR (FSS), MERITORIOUS SERVICE STAR

(MSS), DISTINGUISHED SERVICE STAR (DSS), GENERAL
SERVICE STAR (GSS)
23.09. The FSS,MSS, DSS and GSS medals may be awarded to

an officer under the following conditions:
a. An officer may be awarded FSS when he has

completed 12 years of commissioned service and has attained a
minimum rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/SqnLdr with an exemplary record
during that period.
b. An officer may be awarded MSS, 6 years after the award

of FSS if he continues to maintain an exemplary character.
c. An officer may be awarded DSS under the same

conditions 6 years after the award of MSS.
d. An officer may be awarded GSS under the same

conditions 6 years after the award of DSS.
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CAMPAIGN MEDAL
23.10. A campaign medal may be awarded to a commissioned

officer for participating in an operation outside Nigeria. He must
have spent a minimum of 90 days in the theatre of operation before
he is entitled to the award.
GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL (GSM)
23.11. The GSM shall be awarded in the event of national

emergency of an internal security nature in which the civil power
requests the service of the Armed Forces. Any officer who takes part
in this type of emergency shall be eligible for the GSM provided the
operation was not less than 90 days.
PROFESSIONAL COURSES BADGE
23.12. An officer who successfully completes any of the following

military courses will be awarded the appropriate Course Badge:
a. NIPSS/RCDS/War/Defence College or equivalents.
b. Command and Staff College or its equivalent.
c. Advanced Military Courses peculiar to the Services.
d. Advanced Specialist (Military) Courses peculiar to the

Services.
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SERVICE CHIEF COMMENDATION AWARD
23.13. The award of Service Chiefs commendation will be based

on the following criteria:
a. Exemplary character and behaviour by an officer.
b. Gallantry exhibition in the face of grave danger e.g.,

physically averting armed robbery or offering an outstanding
help during national disaster.
c. Any officer who emerges as the best shot in any

organized Small Arms Shooting Competition.
d. Any officer who wins a national or international medal in

any organized sporting event.
e. Any officer who has continuously been a member of

national or international team for 5 years.
f. Any officer who wins international award or decoration

for service.
g. Any officer who is personally recommended by the

Service Chief or GOC/FOC/AOC. Such recommended officer
must not have a pending disciplinary case.
h. Any other criteria that each Service Chief may direct from
time to time.
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PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
23.14. National Awards. The recipient of any national award

will be summoned to an Investiture Ceremony and shall personally
receive such award from the President. Where a recipient is unlikely
to be present, arrangement will be made for the presentation at a
suitable time.
23.15. Gallantry – (Operational and Non Operational).

The recipients of any of these awards will be summoned to an
Investiture Ceremony and shall personally receive such medals from
the President or his representative.
23.16. Campaign and General Service Medals. These

medals will normally be presented by the CDS/Service Chiefs on
behalf of the President and are not to be presented by officers other
than a GOC or equivalent appointment.
23.17. Forces Service Star. This award will be sent to the

Commanding Officer/Commander, who is to arrange for presentation
to the recipient at a suitable parade.
23.18. Professional Course Badge. The graduates of NIPSS,

NDC and AFCSC or their equivalent shall personally receive such bars
from the President or his delegated representative at an Investiture
Ceremony at the institution concerned. The Commandants of other
Service institutions shall make arrangements for presentation of the
institutions’ course badges.
23.19. Service Chiefs Commendation Award. The recipients

are awarded personally by the Service Chiefs. Otherwise, the award
will be presented by the appropriate representative.
23.20 – 23.22 Reserved.
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FORFEITURE
23.23. Officers who qualify for any of the awards shall by no

means forfeit such awards by reasons of retirements.
23.24. National Awards, Operational and Non Operational

for Gallantry. The forfeiture of national awards, operational and
non-operational awards for gallantry is only to be recommended
where an officer has been convicted of treason, sedition, mutiny,
cowardice or desertion during hostilities. In these cases, the
Commanding Officer/Commander of the Awardee is to submit a case
through the chain of command to the Service HQ.
23.25. Forfeiture of All Other Awards. When an officer’s

career has been terminated as a result of disciplinary proceedings, a
Commanding Officer/Commander is to repossess awards liable to
forfeiture into safe custody pending a decision as to their forfeiture or
otherwise. In this circumstance, he is to forward them to the Service
HQ (in the case of a court-martial this action is only to be taken on
confirmation of sentence).
RESTORATION OF AWARDS
23.26. Application for the restoration of all awards are to be

made as follows:
a. For Service Personnel, by the beneficiary’s Commanding

Officer/Commander, supported by his recommendations and
through the next superior headquarters, to the Service HQ.
b. By non effective personnel, to the Service HQ. The

appropriate Directorate is to forward a recommendation and all
relevant documents in each case.
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CHAPTER 24
SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO CADETS AND

SOLDIERS TRAINING FOR A COMMISSION
PROMOTION
24.01. A soldier/rating/airman while an officer cadet will not be

eligible for promotion. Although the rates of pay of a cadet given at
Annex A to this document are quoted as the pay of a separate rank,
the quotation will not constitute authority for appointment or
promotion to the rank. However, where promotion proceedings were
commenced before commencement of cadet training and the cadet is
subsequently promoted as a soldier/rating/airman retrospectively, he
will be entitled to the pay of that rank to which he was promoted.
24.02. Reserved.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
24.03. Cadets and their families (where applicable) will be eligible

to free medical treatment in accordance with the rules laid down in
the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for
soldiers/ratings/airmen.
CLOTHING
24.04. The provision of clothing will be as applicable to cadets in

the military academy.
24.05. - 24.07. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 25
MARRIAGES
25.01. A 2Lt/Mid/Plt Offr is on probation and is expected to live in

the Officers’ Mess. He is not allowed to marry and if he has been
married before he went to the Academy, though his records may
show this fact, he will not be recognized as a married officer for the
purpose of accommodation pay and any other allowances applicable
to married officers.
25.02. Where a soldier/rating/airman is commissioned into any of

the Services’ Corps/Branch/Specialty from the ranks as 2Lt/Mid/Plt
Offr and the officer was married before commissioning, he will live in
the Officers’ Mess for a minimum of three months. Thereafter, he
may be given a married accommodation if available or lodging
allowance in lieu.
25.03. Any officer who is not yet married must first seek approval
of the appropriate higher authority of his/her intention to marry.
25.04. If an officer marries a soldier/rating/airman/airwoman

under any of the existing ordinances, the officer or the
soldier/rating/airman/airwoman will be given the option to leave the
Service from the date of such marriage. It is an offence for an officer
to conceal his marriage to a soldier/rating/airman/airwoman for the
purpose of preventing the officer or the
soldier/rating/airman/airwoman from leaving the Service.
25.05. No officer is allowed to marry a foreigner or a

nationalized Nigerian.
25.06. - 25.10. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 26
CODE OF CONDUCT
26.01. Apart from the fact that officers are subject to military and
civil laws, which places a more demanding responsibility on them,
there are certain codes and ethics of the profession which an officer
is required to maintain and these are set out in the succeeding
paragraphs.
26.02. An officer shall not engage in private business. He shall not

use or be allowed to use government property, his name, position
and connection in any way with commercial enterprises outside
employment or activity with or without compensation, which interfere
or has the tendency of interfering with his official duty or which may
be reasonably expected to bring discredit to the Service.
26.03. An officer shall not accept gifts, favours, entertainments etc,

from officers junior to him in rank or from
soldiers/ratings/airmen/airwomen.
26.04. An officer shall not engage in any amorous relationship with

any soldier/rating/airman/airwoman, fellow officer’s or
soldier’s/rating’s/airmen’s/airwomen’s spouse.
26.05. An officer shall pay all just financial obligations in a proper

and timely manner especially those imposed by law and mutual
contract. It is a very serious offence for an officer to be
apprehended for failure to license or insure his vehicle, his radio and
other legal financial obligations. In the same vein, the issuance of a
dud cheque constitutes an offence.
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26.06. An officer shall not hold membership of any secret society

or political party. He shall not participate, in any way, in activities
concerned with such societies or parties even in observatory
capacities. For the purposes of this paragraph, secret societies are
those societies, by whatever other names called, whose:
a. Membership is not known or made public.
b. Proceedings are kept secret and whose minutes are not

kept.
c. Objectives etc are not made public.
d. Members are under oath, obligations and other threats to

promote the interest (legitimate or illegitimate) of one another
and come to one another’s aid under all circumstances without
due regard to merit, fair play and justice, to the detriment of
the legitimate expectation of non members. For the avoidance
of doubt, since cultural or purely traditional religious societies
are not normally secret by membership or in the conduct of
their affairs, they are ipso-facto excluded from belonging to
secret societies.
26.07. An officer shall not engage in any form of disorderly

behaviour, brawl or any action of public disgrace.
26.08. An officer must not at any time be drunk whether on or

off duty.
26.09. An officer must not engage in homosexuality, lesbianism,

and bestiality.
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26.10. An officer must not engage in body piercing and tattooing

of any part of his body.
25.11. All officers are subject to the Official Secret Act

reproduced at Annex B to this document.
26.12. - 26.14. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 27
RULES GOVERNING OFFICERS IN FOREIGN SERVICE
27.01. Discipline. The Harmonised Terms and Conditions of

Service Officers and the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20, LFN 2004 shall
apply to all officers in the Foreign Service.
27.02. Promotion. Promotion while in the Foreign Service is

vested in the Service Council/Board in accordance with Chapter 16 of
this document.
27.03. Insolvency. As soon as it becomes known that an

officer in the Foreign Service is bankrupt, insolvent or financially
embarrassed, the fact must be reported to the DIA who will in turn
inform the Service HQ concerned.
27.04. Maternity Leave. An unmarried female officer in the

Foreign Service shall be recalled from Foreign Service if she becomes
pregnant.
27.05. Decoration. No officer shall accept or wear foreign

decorations unless with the permission of the Defence Headquarters.
27.06. Presents. No officer or member of his family shall

accept gifts or presents in form of money or otherwise, in recognition
or anticipation of service rendered or to be rendered by virtue of his
official position from any person resident or not resident in the
country in which the officer is serving. This rule does not apply to
small personal gifts as may be exchanged between colleagues and
friends.
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27.07. Medical Treatment. An officer and members of his family

are entitled to receive medical treatment at public expense while
serving at a post abroad.
27.08. Death. When the dependant of an officer assigned to a

Nigerian Commission abroad dies at an overseas post, the
Government shall assist with the burial of the dependant up to a
maximum of one third of the cost of passage between the post and
Nigeria.
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CHAPTER 28
SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES
28.01. The Armed Forces of Nigeria shall maintain a Special

Operations Forces.
28.02. Terms and Conditions of Service shall be as determined

by the Services.
28.03 – 28.10. Reserved.
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CHAPTER 29
NATIONAL RESERVE FORCE OF NIGERIA
GENERAL
29.01. The Armed Forces of Nigeria Reserve shall include non-

active personnel, units or formations earmarked to be used on
mobilization. Part 1 Section 2 of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004 states
that “There shall be established and maintained by the Armed Forces
an Armed Forces Reserve which shall consist of such number of
Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers,
Ratings and Airmen who are transferred to it on completion of their
period of Service in the Armed Forces of Nigeria and in such other
services as the President may prescribe”.
28.02. Role of the Reserve. The role of the National Reserve

Force is to act as a force multiplier to the regular forces in curbing
threats or challenges both within and outside Nigeria without a fall in
efficiency and effectiveness.
29.03. Categories of Reserve Force. The National Reserve

Force shall consist of the following categories:
a. Ready Reserve. The Ready Reserve would be
composed of members of existing para-military
organisations. These are men and women who normally
have full time employment in other para-military
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organisations or professional civilians. In most cases, they

provide skills and expertise that are easily transferable to
specialist military roles.
b. Standby Reserve. The Standby Reserve would
maintain close affiliation without being in the Ready
Reserve. They are key civilian employees of the Ministry
of Defence, National Assembly and Judiciary among
others. Members of this group consist of a pool of trained
individuals who could be mobilized, if necessary, in order
to fill manpower needs in specific areas. They are not
required to receive military training or be part of a unit
and are basically professional volunteers.
c. Retired Reserve. The Retired Reserve would

be composed of retired/discharged
officers/soldiers/ratings/airmen that have completed
colour service. These are available and ready source of
trained manpower. These groups can be readily mobilized
for active military duty to meet specific operational
requirements and can be deployed for any task.
29.04. Organisation of Reserve Force. The organisation of

the National Reserve Force will be as approved by the President,
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
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29.05. Period of Service. The Period of Service for

members of the National Reserve Force will be as determined by the
Federal Government of Nigeria. However, for retired/discharged
personnel from the AFN, the period will be for initial 3 years after
retirement/discharge and thereafter as decided by the Federal
Government from time to time.
29.06. Training. The training of the National Reserve Force will

be as determined by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other
regulations governing the training of such forces.
29.07. Criteria for Selection. The National Reserve Force

selection criteria will be as prescribed in the relevant regulations for
the selection of such forces.
29.08. Allowances. The allowances for members of the

National Reserve Force shall be as decided by the President,
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria as captured in Part 1 Section 3 of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004
which states that “The President may make regulations governing the
pay, duties and methods of recall of members of the Reserve and any
other matters pertaining to the Reserve as seems to him necessary”.
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29.09. Recall from the Reserve shall be governed by regulations

promulgated by the Federal Government from time to time.
29.10. A person called up for reserve duties shall be deemed to

be on active service. All benefits with regards to death or injury as
provided for in this HTACOS shall apply.
29.11. The details of the National Reserve Force are stipulated in

the Manual for the Establishment of the National Reserve Force.
29.12. Reserved
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GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

01.01. The Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for

01.02. There are 6 types of commission that can be granted in

a. Regular Combatant Commission (RCC).

b. Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC).

c. Direct Regular Commission (DRC).

d. Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC).

e. Executive (NA)/Special Duty (NN)/Branch Commission

01.03. In this document, the following shall apply:

a. Name(s). The name(s) of an officer shall be the

b. Change of Name(s). Personnel desiring of change of

c. Use of ‘He’&‘Man’. The use of the words ‘he’ and ‘man’

01.04. In this document, except where otherwise prescribed, the

a. President. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the

b. Minister of Defence. The Minister charged with

c. Chief of the Defence Staff. The officer so appointed

d. Chief of the Army Staff. The officer appointed by the

e. Chief of the Naval Staff. The officer appointed by the

f. Chief of the Air Staff. The officer appointed by the

g. Officer. An officer is a person holding a Presidential

h. Officer Cadet. Officer Cadet is the status of a

i. University Cadet. University Cadet is the status of

j. Date of Birth. Date of Birth is the date an officer was

k. Home Place. An officer’s home or village is the

l. Family. The family of an officer shall be his spouse

m. Child. The child of an officer means a child who is

(1) The officer’s biological off-spring.

(2) The officer’s stepchild, being the biological off-

(3) A child adopted by the officer in accordance with

n. Nigerian Citizen. A Nigeria Citizen shall be as

o. Next of Kin. Next of Kin is a person(s) documented

`estates’ are entrusted for administration in the event of death

p. Military Service. Military service of an officer is a

q. Pensionable Service. Pensionable service is military

(1) Service as a soldier/rating/airman counts in full, for

(2) Unbroken service as an officer counts in full.

r. Reckonable Service. Reckonable service is the same

s. Non-Reckonable Service. Non-Reckonable Service is

t. Active Service. The expression, ‘Active Service’, means

u. Reserve. Reserve shall include non-active personnel,

v. Pensionable Emoluments. Pensionable Emoluments

w. Death on Active Service. Death on Active Service

x. Prolongation of Service. An officer shall not be

y. Foreigner. A foreigner is a person belonging to or

01.05 This Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service

02.01. All officers are subject to military and civil laws as

02. 02 - 02.05. Reserved.

REGULAR COMBATANT COMMISSION

03.01. Regular Combatant Commission in the Armed Forces of

a. Officers holding the Short Service Combatant Commission

b. Soldiers/ratings/airmen with appropriate qualifications.

c. Civilians with appropriate qualifications.

03.02. The conditions to be fulfilled for the grant of a Regular

03.03. The effective date of commission will first be published in

GRANT OF A REGULAR COMBATANT COMMISSION

03.05. In order to be considered for the grant of a Regular

03.06. In the case of soldiers/ratings/airmen and civilians, they

a. Be between 18 and 21 years of age as at the date of