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Further Reading

Nigeria - Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence came into being in April 1958, two years before independence from Great Britain, when the War Office granted control of the armed forces to the national government. Upon its creation, the ministry was given responsibility over the two branches of the military in existence at that time the army and the navy and today also oversees the command of the Nigerian Air Force, founded in 1964.

Despite a history of military intervention in civilian government since the nation won independence, the Nigerian military has been involved in the national development and peace keeping, both domestically and regionally. In the interest of national unity, the Nigerian military has provided assistance to civil authorities and helped prevent and repel external aggressions on numerous occasions.

Under the Fourth Republic, in 2002 the Ministry was headed by Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd). The Minister of Defence appointed in May 1999 by President Olusegun Obasanjo. The ambitious goal of the defence ministry, and a vital one for continued democratic rule in Nigeria, is to reposition the military to fulfil its constitutional role as the defender of the elected regime and guarantor of sovereignty.

In addition to the formation and execution of defence policy, and the management of military emergencies, the ministry of Defence has a twofold mission. Nationally, it must ensure combat readiness of forces to guarantee internal and national security; provide for the welfare of personnel; and enhance and develop the defence industries to reduce dependence on imports and create the potential for export production. Globally, the ministry is active in pan-African security through collective defence agreements, and provides peacekeeping forces to areas under the mandate of the United Nations.

The United States has worked to help Nigeria improve the professionalism of its military, the military's respect for human rights and all Nigerians' appreciation and support for civilian rule. The US Congress restricted military aid to Nigeria in response to the massacre of approximately 200 civilians in Benue State in 2001 by the Nigerian army. The United States sponsored a Defense Institute of International Legal Studies seminar for Nigerian military and civilian leaders with a focus on human rights, international law, rules of engagement and civilian control of the military. The United States continued to sponsor a high-level program at the Ministry of Defense (MOD) to teach proper civil-military relations and assist in the reorganization of the MOD.