The position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was established under the Nigeria’s 1979 constitution. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) reports to the president with administrative supervision of the Minister of Defence.
The CDS is assisted by the other service chiefs such as:
1.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
2.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and
3.
Chief of Air Staff Staff (CAS)
These are Pasts and Present Chief of Defence Staff (CDS):
Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff
1.
Lt. Gen. Ipoola Alani Akinrinade
Army
Apr. 1980 – Oct. 2, 1981
2.
Lt. Gen. Gibson Jalo
Army
Oct. 2, 1981 – Dec. 31, 1983
3.
Gen. Domkat Yah Bali
Army
Jan. 1, 1984 – Jan. 10, 1990
4.
Gen. Sani Abacha
Army
Jan. 1, 1984 – Nov. 17, 1993
5.
Lt. Gen. Oladipupo Donaldson Diya
Army
Nov. 17, 1993 – Dec. 21, 1997
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6.
Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar
Army
Dec. 21, 1997 – June 9, 1998
7.
Air Marshall Al-Amin Daggash
Air Force
June 9, 1998 – May 29, 1998
8.
Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi
Navy
May 29, 1999 – June 27, 2003
9.
Gen. Alexander Ogomudia
Army
June 27, 2003 – June 1, 2006
10.
Gen. Marthin Luther Agwai
Army
June 1, 2006 – May 25, 2007
11.
Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi
Army
May 25, 2007 – Aug. 20, 2008
12.
Air Chief Marshall Paul Dike
Air Force
Aug. 20, 2008 – Sept. 8, 2010
13.
Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Pentirin
Air Force
Sept. 8, 2010 – Oct. 5, 2012
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14.
Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim
Navy
Oct. 5, 2012 – Jan. 16, 2014
15.
Chief Air Staff Marshall Alex Badeh
Air Force
Jan. 16, 2014 – Jul. 13, 2015
16.
Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin
Army
Jul. 13, 2015 – Jan. 26, 2021
17.
General Lucky Irabor
Army
26 Jan. 2021 Till Date