How much is the salary of Nigerian Navy? The Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian armed forces and it is among the largest navies in Africa. Since its creation, it has engaged in several missions such as the Nigerian civil war, first Liberian war, sierra leone civil war, Niger Delta conflict, Boko Haram insurgency and the invasion of Gamba.
The Nigerian navy originated from the Nigerian Marine which was a coalition or amalgamation of the two marines; southern Nigeria Marine formed in 1893 and Northern Nigeria Marine formed in 1900. This amalgamation was due to the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorate in 1914, so there was a need for both marines to be under one umbrella. Responsibilities of the Marine included administration of ports, dredging of channels, ferry services and touring launches.
In 1959, the Nigerian Naval force became a full fledge Navy upon permission granted by Queen Elizabeth II to use the Royal Navy Title. In 1963, Nigeria became a republic, and hence the title changed from the "Royal Navy to "The Nigerian Navy". The tasks of the Navy thus increased from what it used to be to being tasked with the Naval defence of Nigeria, guarding the coasts, enforcement of custom laws and training officers in Naval duties. In 1999, the roles was further stretched to include military and constabulary roles, especially in the oil and gas sectors of the maritime economy.
Salary of the Nigerian Navy 2024 and Ranks
Just as every other military force, the Nigerian Navy is grouped into the Commissioned Officers and non Commissioned Officers and in each of them, there are different ranks too. The commissioned Officers are those who can command personnel under his authority whereas non Commissioned Officers cannot do that. In all, the salary differs based on ranks and they are clearly shown below:
Salary of commissioned Officers of the Nigerian Nevy
a. Admiral of the fleet: this is the highest rank in the navy and it is rarely ever conferred. Its equivalent is the rank of Marshall in the Nigerian Air force or the Rank of Field marshal in the Nigerian navy.
b. Admiral: The Admiral is usually paid 1,358,595 in naira per month, and 16,303,140 naira per year. The title is given to a senior officer who is often referred to as a flag bearer, and he commands a fleet or group of ships of the navy. This rank is the second to the highest rank in the Nigerian Navy and is under the Admiral of the fleet, but above the rank of vice-admiral.
c. Vice-admiral: This rank is above the rank of rear admiral and equivalent to the Lieutenant General in the Nigerian Army. The Vice admiral is paid 13,363,229 in naira per year, and 1,113,602 naira per month. Vice admiral commands numbered fleets.
d. Rear admiral: The Rear admiral is paid 12,038,945 million naira per annum and 1,003,245 naira per month. It is a senior officer rank equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captsain but below a vice admiral. This rank is often regarded as a two- star "admiral".
e. Commodore: This is the rank above the captain and below rear admiral. The commodore is paid 7,385,856 million naira per year, and 615,488 naira per month. A commodore commands a flotilla or squadron of ships as part of a larger taskforce or naval fleet commanded by the Admiral.
f. Captain: This is the rank below that of the Commodore and above the Captain. It corresponds with the colonel rank in the Nigerian Army. The captain is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the merchant ship. This responsibility including the safety and security of the ship, cargo operations, navigation and crew management. He is paid 3715,859 naira per year, and 309,655 month per month.
g. Commander: The commander is under the captain and above the lieutenant commander. His duties are chiefly to lead commands through operations to missions, to guide and influence leadership actions by giving guidance. He may command a frigate, destroyer, fisher protection squadron, patrol boat squadron or may serve on a staff. He is paid 3,380,086 naira per annum and 281,674 per month.
h. Lieutenant commander: A lieutenant commander is a senior department officer or executive officer on warship and shore installation. They are above the rank of lieutenant and below the rank of commander in the navy rank of commissioned officers. The lieutenant commander is paid N230,652 per month.
I. Lieutenant: A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in the armed forces/navy. He is above the sub-lieutenant and below the rank of lieutenant commander. His monthly salary is usually about 195,685 naira.
j. Sub-lieutenant: the sub- lieutenant monthly salary is 150,625 naira. This is a rank above the acting sub- lieutenant and below the lieutenant.
k. Acting Sub- lieutenant: the acting sub- lieutenant's monthly salary is 130,852 naira. He is ranked below the sub- lieutenant and upon passing the fleet Board, are declared sub- lieutenants.
l. Mid ship-man: This is a person training in the naval academy. They are taught skills and ethical standard to guide them and put them in shape, preparing them to become naval officers. It is the lowest rank in the rank of commissioned officers. The mid- shipman's salary is about N118,835.
Salary of non-commissioned Officers of the Nigerian Nevy
a. Warrant Chief petty officer: This officer is the most senior officers of the non- commissioned ranks. The warrant chief petty officer monthly salary is N120,853.
b. Chief petty officer: The job of the chief petty officer is to see to it that the person under his supervision is working effectively and efficiently. He is the functionary that ensures that work is done immediately. In the hierarchy, he is under the warrant chief petty officer and his salary is pegged at N90, 825. On an individual level, the average sailor would make it to this rank under four years.
c. Petty officer: The petty officer's monthly salary is N80, 852. His job is to evaluate and prioritize division jobs daily. He is a subordinate officer in the navy appointed from the enlisted men. As an un- commissioned officer, they don't get to be saluted.
d. Leading Rating: the leading rating monthly salary is N70,855. It is a duty of leading rating officers of every branch in the country, to ensure that order is preserved in their area, among the ratings of whichever branch whether on duty or not, who hold a rate junior to them.
e. Able rating: The Able rating monthly salary is N50,855. Their duties involve deck and accommodation patrols, being on the lookout or assisting an officer watch, mooring and un-mooring vessel ports, securing cargo and cleaning and maintaining the port. This rank is above the rank of ordinary rating and under the rank of leading rating.
The able rating officer also performs works like general maintenance of the equipment, repair, sanitation and upkeep of material, and areas in the deck department. Maintenance can include chipping, scraping, cleaning and painting.
f. Ordinary rating: the ordinary rating monthly salary is N45,854. This is the ordinary sea mark in the deck department of the ship. Their duties mainly includes; cleaning and collecting of garbage, painting and polishing of ship brightwork, repair and maintenance of the deck. An ordinary seaman works two to four hours a day.
g. Trainee: These are the new entrees and as trainees, they are not paid a dime.
Is the Nigerian Navy Force Paid Very Well?
When compared to other professions in Nigeria, there isn't any doubt that the Nigerian Navy is not paid very well considering the increase in the price of commodities in the country currently. One can actually say that members of the Nigerian maritime force are struggling to feed.
In other developed countries in the world like the United State, Canada etc, Navy salary is about $12,7017 which is too much compared to what is paid above. Bringing it down to Africa, South African Navy force are currently paid R99,000 (least), which is also very huge compared to what is paid by the Nigerian government.
Even in Nigeria, there are hundreds of jobs that pays better than the navy these days and the government has to look into this issue. The truth is; people are gradually looking away from working for the Nigerian maritime force and it is apparent.
Duties and obligations of the Nigerian Navy
Here are the duties of the Nigerian Navy;
1. Naval Defense: As should be obvious, protecting a country's coastline at sea is the primary function of any Navy. In a similar vein, the Nigerian navy is responsible for protecting the country from any threats that may arise under its jurisdiction.
The country is encircled by vast bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean being the largest. This would allow for attacks against the country to be launched via waterways. Therefore, protecting the country from outside enemies is the Nigerian navy's top priority. When planning for naval defence, Nigeria considers both external and domestic threats.
2. Guard duties: In addition to its primary mission of enforcing Customs regulations, the Nigerian navy is also responsible for conducting hydrographic surveys, training officers and sailors, and conducting research.
3. Military duties: The Nigerian navy is responsible for the global capturing of terrorists and high-value enemies. Not just that, they are also responsible for using specialized reconnaissance missions to gather information and intelligence.
Requirements To Join Nigerian Navy
A minimum of five credits in mathematics and English from the West African School Certificate (WASC) or Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) are required for admission to the Nigerian Navy. In addition, candidates must hold a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
The Nigerian Navy Education and Training Command administers the Nigerian Navy Recruitment Aptitude Test (NNRAT), which candidates who fulfil the prerequisite academic standards may need to take.
The exam's goal is to evaluate the candidate's logical thinking and comprehension of fundamental scientific and math ideas. The following are additional prerequisites to join the Nigerian Navy in 2023-2024:
HND required at least for Lower Credit
Registered Midwife/Registered Nurse (RN/RM)
Either London City and Guilds or WAEC City and Guilds
ND in any further pertinent field
Any other credentials comparable to the ones listed above
Candidates must have all of the official documentation provided on the Nigerian Navy website, including birth certificates or age declarations, education certificates, and other paperwork.
Along with having high morals, applicants must also not have had any criminal convictions.
Candidates must successfully complete the Nigerian Navy Aptitude Test, Selection Interview, and Recruitment Medical Examination.
A certified certificate of medical fitness from a government or military hospital is another need for applicants, along with being physically and medically fit for naval duty.
In conclusion, you can see that the Nigerian Navy is also amongst the most paid in the country. Indeed, this shows that working as a Navy officer in Nigeria actually worth it. But as you may already know, employment in Nigeria is usually based on tribalism and favoritism. That is why many people complain of not being able to make it into the Nigerian Navy even when they are qualified.
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