| Chief of Defence Staff | |
|---|---|
&sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:Chief_of_Defence_Staff_Nigeria_Standard.png) Standard of the Chief of Defence Staff | |
&sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:240119-A-UH083-1010_Christopher_Musa.jpg) | |
| Ministry of Defence | |
| Abbreviation | CDS |
| Member of |
|
| Reports to | Minister of Defence |
| Seat | Defence Headquarters, Abuja |
| Appointer | President of Nigeria with advice and consent from Senate |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Nigeria |
| Formation | 1979 |
| First holder | Ipoola Alani Akinrinade |
| Website | Official website |
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the head of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the minister of defence and the president of Nigeria. The chief of the defence staff is based at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja and works alongside the Permanent Secretary of Defence.
It is occupied by the most senior commissioned officer appointed by the President of Nigeria. The position was established for the first time under Nigeria's 1979 constitution.
The current chief of defence staff is General Christopher Musa, who succeeded General Lucky Irabor in June 2023.[1]
- ^ "Musa takes over as defence chief, vows to defeat terrorists". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 9 July 2024.