Did you know that apart from the Nigerian President, only the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) can give direct instructions to any soldier in the country? Do you know the meaning of the Arabic inscription on the Nigerian Army crest? (check above) Do you also know that the Nigerian Army has had 28 chiefs? How many of them do you know?
Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on the 1st of October, 1960. The following are those who have headed the Nigerian Army, a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Apart from the Nigerian President, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is the only other person who can give a direct order to any soldier in the federation. Before January 1966, the head of the army was referred to as the General Officer Commanding (GOC).