I still see no cogent reason/improvement that this base will achieve; Even if there are 'tremendous gains', those gains are readily available now WITHOUT any US base located on Nigerian soil. That is the crux of my own view - this talk of 'technological development' is a ruse or a pipe-dream at best. If after years of importing foreign equipment it has not made a difference, now suddenly allowing their military to be located on our land will? Ok IF the goverment ensures we get the best out of it and other hypothetical situations - what has CHANGED on the ground/administratively in Nigeria to believe that this 'benefit' will accrue to us from this?

We do not need significant military training that cannot be otherwise provided under existing channels. How much improved has Djibouti's military become because of the US presence there?

These are not excuses, but the so called 'benefits' are tangential at best to our national interests, a mere increase in training of soliders? Or fishing techniques? Why can that not happen without a military base on our soil? Training of soldiers? Did India and China get bases on their soil before they could competently train their soldiers? As others have mentioned, we are not a nation consistently at war, our military is, by African standards, one of the most professional and most equipped. If they are so interested in 'capacity building' then let them go to Liberia/Sierra Leone or Chad - those countries have more instability and military conflict requiring such assistance, but not Nigeria.

Military technology is highly guarded and protected by the Americans, the best they will do for you is make you more dependent on their tools, they won't transfer anything.

So now we need to bring soldiers to have a base to see what 'real' soldiers look like? Don't worry, even in Agenebode, they have watched 'Tour of Duty' and seen other american war movies, if you want to see 'real soldiers' turn on your TV set.

can anybody tell me any good thing that has ever come out of the Nigeria army?

bilymuse:

can anybody tell me any good thing that has ever come out of the Nigeria army?

This has nothing to do with Nigerian Army but US and Yara-ill with their agenda.

If US really cares, they should establish universities, grant scholarship, IT villages.

They should give their companies taxe-holiday to come Nigeria.

bilymuse:

can anybody tell me any good thing that has ever come out of the Nigeria army?

I never knew Nigeria had an army.

What tribes make up this army? At least here in America, you see all shades of people in the US army. Are there any Ibos, Yorubas, Edos or Calabar people in the Nigerian army?  Or is it made up of strictly "gworos" from the Rebuplic of Chad?

Well, let me start with an easier question then since the ones above may be too difficult as "JAMB" questions!

IS THERE ANYTHING GOOD THAT HAS EVER COME OUT OF THE NIGERIAN NONENTITY CONCEPT?



Okay, back at topic!

For example, here are a list of Military bases and installations located all over the country called the US.  Where are the Nigerian military bases located please? I am truly ignorant of such matters and would like some education from enlightened "know it alls from Nigeria" on Nairaland!



http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blstatefacts.htm



This is a list of United States military bases currently located around the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_bases

This list is for the sole purpose of identifying present-day US. military institutions and the general locations of each.


Countries with a US military presence in 2007.


Within the US.

United States Air Force (71)
Alabama Maxwell-Gunter AFB: near Montgomery Mississippi Columbus AFB
Alaska Clear AFS: near Anderson Keesler AFB
Eielson AFB: in Fairbanks (North Star) Missouri Whiteman AFB
Elmendorf AFB: in Anchorage Montana Malmstrom AFB
Arizona Davis-Monthan AFB Nebraska Offutt AFB
Luke AFB Nevada Nellis AFB
Arkansas Little Rock AFB New Jersey McGuire AFB
California Beale AFB New Mexico Cannon AFB
Edwards AFB Holloman AFB
Los Angeles AFB Kirtland AFB
March AFB North Carolina Pope AFB
McClellan AFB Seymour Johnson AFB
Travis AFB North Dakota Grand Forks AFB
Vandenberg AFB Minot AFB
Colorado Buckley AFB Ohio Wright-Patterson AFB
Peterson AFB Oklahoma Altus AFB
Schriever AFB Tinker AFB
Air Force Academy Vance AFB
Delaware Dover AFB South Carolina Charleston AFB
District of Columbia Bolling AFB Shaw AFB
Florida Eglin AFB South Dakota Ellsworth AFB
Hurlburt Field Tennessee Arnold AFB
MacDill AFB Texas Brooks AFB
Patrick AFB Dyess AFB
Tyndall AFB Goodfellow AFB
Georgia Moody AFB Kelly AFB
Robins AFB Lackland AFB
Hawaii Hickam AFB Laughlin AFB
Idaho Mountain Home AFB Randolph AFB
Illinois Scott AFB Sheppard AFB
Indiana Grissom AFB Utah Hill AFB
Kansas McConnell AFB Virginia Langley AFB
Louisiana Barksdale AFB 
New Orleans JRB Washington Fairchild AFB
Maryland Andrews AFB McChord AFB
Massachusetts Hanscom AFB Wyoming Warren AFB
Westover AFB 


Overseas

United States Air Force Overseas
Germany Ansbach The Philippines Clark AB
NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Geilenkirchen John Hay AB
Ramstein Air Base Portugal Lajes Field, Azores
Spangdahlem Air Base Spain Morón Air Base, Morón de la Frontera, Andalusia
Greenland Thule AB South Korea Kunsan Air Base
Guam Andersen Air Force Base Osan Air Base
Italy Aviano Air Base Turkey Incirlik Air Base
San Vito dei Normanni Air Station United Kingdom RAF Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk
Japan Kadena Air Base, Okinawa RAF Menwith Hill, Yorkshire Dales
Misawa Air Base, Misawa, Aomori RAF Mildenhall, Mildenhall
Yokota Air Base, Tokyo RAF Upper Heyford, Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire
Kyrgyzstan Manas Air Base, Bishkek 
The Netherlands Joint Force Command Brunssum 
Panama Albrook Air Force Base
Howard Air Force Base


United States Army

Within the US.
United States Army (59)
Alabama Fort Rucker Missouri Fort Leonard Wood
Redstone Arsenal New Jersey Fort Dix
Alaska Fort Greely Fort Monmouth
Fort Richardson Picatinny Arsenal
Fort Wainwright New Mexico White Sands Missile Range
Arizona Fort Huachuca New York Fort Drum
Yuma Proving Ground Fort Hamilton
Arkansas Pine Bluff Arsenal Watervliet Arsenal
California Fort Irwin West Point
Presidio of Monterey North Carolina Fort Bragg
Colorado Fort Carson Oklahoma Fort Sill
District of Columbia Walter Reed Army Medical Center McAlester Army Ammunition Plant
Florida SouthCom HQ Pennsylvania Carlisle Barracks
Georgia Fort Benning Tobyhanna Army Depot
Fort Gordon South Carolina Fort Jackson
Fort McPherson Texas Fort Bliss
Fort Stewart Fort Hood
Hunter Army Airfield Fort Sam Houston
Hawaii Fort Shafter Red River Army Depot
Schofield Barracks Utah Dugway Proving Ground
Illinois Charles Price Support Tooele Army Depot
Rock Island Arsenal Virginia Fort Belvoir
Kansas Fort Leavenworth Fort Eustis
Fort Riley Fort Lee
Kentucky Fort Campbell Fort Monroe
Fort Knox Fort Myer
US Army Recruiting Command Fort Story
Louisiana Fort Polk Washington Fort Lewis
Maryland Aberdeen Proving Ground Fort Detrick Wisconsin Fort McCoy
Fort Meade 
Fort Ritchie


Overseas

Germany
Campbell Barracks, Heidelberg
Conn Barracks, Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt
Vilseck
Grafenwoehr
Italy
Caserma Ederle, Vicenza
Japan
Camp Zama, Tokyo
Philippines
Post of Limay
Post of Manila


United States Marine Corps
MCRD Parris Island

United States Marine Corps (14)
Arizona MCAS Yuma North Carolina Camp Lejeune
California MCAGCC 29 Palms MCAS Cherry Point
MCLB Barstow MCAS New River
Camp Pendleton
MCAS Miramar/MCRD San Diego
South Carolina MCAS Beaufort
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island

Georgia MCLB Albany Virginia Henderson Hall
Hawaii MCB Hawaii MCB Quantico


United States Navy

[edit] Within the US.
United States Navy (57)
California NAWS China Lake Mississippi NCBC Gulfport
NB Coronado NAS Meridian
NAS Lemoore NS Pascagoula
Monterey NPS Nevada NAS Fallon
NAS North Island New Hampshire Portsmouth NS
Point Loma NB New Jersey NWS Earle
NBVC Point Mugu NAES Lakehurst
NBVC Port Hueneme New York Scotia Depot
NS San Diego Pennsylvania NAS Willow Grove
Connecticut NSB New London Rhode Island NS Newport
District of Columbia Washington NY South Carolina NWS Charleston
Naval Research Laboratory Tennessee NSA Mid-South
Florida Corry Island NTTC Texas NAS Corpus Christi
NAS Jacksonville NAS JRB Fort Worth
NAS Key West NS Ingleside
NS Mayport NAS Kingsville
Panama City CSS Virginia Chesapeake NSGA
NAS Pensacola NSWCDD
NAS Whiting Field FCTCLANT
Georgia NAS Atlanta NAB Little Creek
NSB Kings Bay NS Norfolk
Hawaii NS Barking Sands NAS Oceana
NS Pearl Harbor Wallops Island ASCS
Illinois NS Great Lakes NWS Yorktown
Indiana NSWC Crane Division Washington NBK Bangor
Louisiana NASJRB New Orleans NBK Bremerton
Maine NAS Brunswick NS Everett
Maryland Fort Meade NSGA NAS Whidbey Island
NAS Patuxent River 
United States Naval Academy


Overseas

British Indian Ocean Territory
Diego Garcia
Cuba
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
The Philippines
Sangley Point Naval Station
Spain
Rota Naval Station
Japan
Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Fleet Activities Sasebo
Guam
Naval Base Guam
Bahrain
Naval Support Activity Bahrain



Barracks

Campbell Barracks, Heidelberg, Germany
Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Regan Barracks
Schofield Barracks
Carlisle Barracks

Bases
Altus AFB, Oklahoma
Andersen AFB, Guam
Andrews AFB, Maryland
Arnold AFB, Tennessee
Aviano AB, Italy
Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Beale AFB, California
Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.
Brooks AFB, Texas
Cannon AFB, New Mexico
Charleston AFB, South Carolina
Clark AB, The Philippines
Columbus AFB, Mississippi
Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
Dover AFB, Delaware
Dyess AFB, Texas
Edwards AFB, California
Eglin AFB, Florida
Eielson AFB, Alaska
Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
Fairchild AFB, Washington
Fort Worth NAS JRB, Texas
Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Goodfellow AFB, Texas
Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
Guantanamo Base
Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
Hickam AFB, Hawaii
Hill AFB, Utah
Holloman AFB, New Mexico
Howard AFB, Panama
Hurlburt Field, Florida
Incirlik AB, Turkey
John Hay AB, The Philippines
Kadena AB, Japan
Keesler AFB, Mississippi
Kelly AFB, Texas
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
Kunsan AB, South Korea
Lackland AFB, Texas
Lajes Field, Azores
Langley AFB, Virginia
Laughlin AFB, Texas
Little Rock AFB, Arkansas
Los Angeles AFB, California
Luke AFB, Arizona
MacDill AFB, Florida
Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan
Maxwell AFB, Alabama
Maxwell AFB Gunter Annex, Alabama
MCB Camp LeJeune
MCB Camp Pendleton
MCB Camp Smedley Butler
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
McChord Air Force Base, Washington
McClellan AFB, California
McConnell AFB, Kansas
McGuire AFB, New Jersey
Minot AFB, North Dakota
Misawa AB, Japan
Moody AFB, Georgia
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Nellis AFB, Nevada
Offutt AFB, Nebraska
Osan AB, South Korea
Patrick AFB, Florida
Peterson AFB, Colorado
Pope AFB, North Carolina
RAF Lakenheath, England
RAF Mildenhall, England
Ramstein AB, Germany
Randolph AFB, Texas
Robins AFB, Georgia
Schriever AFB, Colorado
Scott AFB, Illinois
Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
Shaw AFB, South Carolina
Sheppard AFB, Texas
Spangdahlem AB, Germany
Subic Bay Naval Base, The Philippines
Thule AB, Greenland
Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Travis AFB, California
Tyndall AFB, Florida
Vance AFB, Oklahoma
Vandenberg AFB, California
Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Yokota Air Base, Japan
Yokosuka, Fleet Activities, Japan

Camps
Camp Ashland(ARNG)
Camp Bondsteel
Camp Bonifas
Camp Bullis
Camp Courtney
Camp Darby
Camp David
Camp Dodge
Camp Foster
Camp Futenma
Camp Gonsalves
Camp Gruber(ARNG Oklahoma)
Camp Hansen
Camp Hay
Camp Kinser
Camp Robinson
Camp McGrath
Camp Murray
Camp Lester
Camp Schwab

Facilities
The Pentagon

Fields
Cunningham Field
Del Monte Field
Hurlburt Field
Lindberg Field
Nichols Field
Nielson Field

Forts

Fort Benning, GA
Fort Bragg
Fort Buchanan
Fort Campbell, KY
Fort Dearborn
Fort Detrick
Fort Dix
Fort Drum
Fort Eustis
Fort Frank
Fort Gordon, GA
Fort Greely
Fort Hamilton
Fort Hayes
Fort Hood, TX
Fort Hughes
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Lee
Fort Leonardwood, MO
Fort Lewis
Fort McCoy, WI
Fort McPherson, GA
Fort Mills
Fort Richardson
Fort Riley
Fort Rucker
Fort Sam Houston, TX
Fort Sill, OK
Fort Stotsenburg
Fort Wainwright
Fort William McKinley
Fort Wint


Points

West Point

Posts

Caserma Ederle, near Vicenza, Italy
Post of Limay
Post of Manila - Philippines

Stations

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Cod Air Force Station
Clear Air Force Station
Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station
New Boston Air Force Station
Onizuka Air Force Station
Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Sangley Point Naval Station, The Philippines
Wallace Air Station
San Vito dei Normanni Air Station (Italy; used for COMINT, a FLR-9 receiving system was installed there from 1964 to 1994)
Rota Naval Station, Spain

By name

Anniston Army Depot
Aytos Logistics Center, Bulgaria
Fort Benning
Bezmer Air Base, Bulgaria
Clark Air Base, The Philippines
Cunningham Field
Camp David
Fort Dearborn
Del Monte Field, The Philippines
Fort Detrick
US. Navy Base Diego Garcia - British Indian Ocean Territory
Camp Dodge
Fort Douglas
Fort Drum
Fort Drum, The Philippines
Edwards AFB
Eglin AFB
Eielson AFB
Elmendorf AFB
Fort Frank, The Philippines
Camp Foster
Camp Gonsalves
Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria
Guantanamo Base - Cuba
Hanscom Air Force Base
Camp Hansen
Fort Hughes, The Philippines
Hurlburt Field
Camp Kinser
MCAGCC 29 Palms
Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point
MCB Camp Lejeune
Camp Lester
Nellis AFB
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Novo Selo Range, Bulgaria
MCB Camp Pendleton
Post of Limay
Lindberg Field
Post of Manila, The Philippines
Fort McCoy
Camp McGrath
Fort McKinley, The Philippines
Fort Mills, The Philippines
John Hay AB, The Philippines
Nichols Field, The Philippines
Nielson Field, The Philippines
MCB Camp Pendleton
Pettit Barracks, The Philippines
MCB Quantico
Regan Barracks
Fort Richardson
Fort Rucker
Schofield Barracks
Sangley Point Naval Station, The Philippines
Subic Bay Naval Base, The Philippines
Schriever AFB
Camp Schwab, Okinawa
MCB Camp Smedley Butler
Fort Stotsenburg, The Philippines
Wallace Air Station, The Philippines
West Point
Fort Wainwright
Fort Wayne
Fort Wint, The Philippines

Chai!  E don tey when this US dey fight war. See all the bases and shit they have accquired all over the world including within the US? Lord have mercy on their enemies!


My point is that we need a real army base other than a shariaal based one in Nigeria since what we currently have in Nigeria masquerading under the name "army" is a mirage!  All we have is a gestapo like arrangment located in the Northern part of Nigeria. . . established to hold the rest of Nigeria hostage as the history of Biafra shows.  If Nigeria should ever need a military intervention, you all better bet your sweet arses that you southerners especially will be slaughtered like wild cattle. Since una no dey join army.

Only the presence of a US military base will help neutralize the evil that will befall the south if the so called "army" in Nigeria should embark on it's usual "rules of engagement"!

Based on tribalism and Shariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah of course!

Please, y'all should welcome the US military base in Nigeria. It will be very neutral to all tribes at least. . . .better than the British established!

Highly supported!


See all the better countries with US bases in Nigeria. . . enjoying peace and tranquility? 

E come be "kpangolo" Nigeria? Wetin una dey hide?

Long hissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

the above post is still flawed!!! mitigating absolutely no wahala

i think the so called tension neutralisation you are talking about will surely come from capacity,structural and intellectual development of Nigerian populance.

And for those of you who only sees light by selling your birth dumb a$$ right im afraid, its surely slavery monkie mentality, and i know when the going wasnt good for the japanise they didnt canvass for uncle tom your grand pa instead they stood and dugged it out

oh god can some of these jumbo-mobo analist in here picture the  implications of their ineffective actualisations

KISS MY TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETH! NONSENSE  just because you got your hands in the key board doesnt mean you understand the concept and the implication of things in line with nigeria development

As usual. . . .thread derailment in progress!

Nigerian development?  Hmmmm! Innna-res-ting! I wonder what that is.

_{Searching desperately in the "University of Wikepidia" for the constituents of the "Nigerian Army, or Navy". . . . . . . . . . .TO ABSOLUTELY NO AVAIL.}

This was all I found.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Nigeria

Military of Nigeria

Nigerian Armed Forces

Current form 1960
Service branches Army, Navy, Air Force
Available for
military service 26,802,678 males, age 18-49 (2005 est.),
25,668,446 females, age 18-49 (2005 est.)


Fit for military service 15,052,914 males, age 18-49 (2005 est.),
13,860,806 females, age 18-49 (2005 est.)

Reaching military
age annually 1,353,180 males (2005 est.),
1,329,267 females (2005 est.)
Active personnel 85,000 (ranked 51)
Expenditures
Percent of GDP 1.5% (2006)
The Military of Nigeria has active duty personnel in three armed services, totalling approximately 85,000 troops and 82,000 paramilitary personnel.[[/b]1] It origins lie in the elements of the Royal West African Frontier Force that became Nigerian when independence was granted in 1960. In 1956 the Nigeria Regiment of the RWAFF was renamed the Nigerian Military Forces, RWAFF, and in April 1958 the colonial government of Nigeria took over from the British War Office control of the Nigerian Military Forces.[2]

[b] Since its creation the Nigerian military has fought in a civil war – the conflict with Biafra in 1967-70 – and sent peacekeeping forces abroad both with the United Nations and as the backbone of the ECOWAS-sponsored ECOWAS Cease-fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

It has also seized power twice at home (1966 & 1983) and today ‘has become entrenched in all facets of [Nigerian] civic and economic life,’ including manipulation of national political life – General Sani Abacha’s creation of artificial political parties – and a central role in the control and management of Nigeria’s oil wealth.[3]


1 Branches
1.1 Army
1.2 Navy
1.3 Air Force
2 Nigerian military forces abroad
3 Sources and References
4 External links




Crest of the Nigerian Army
Nigerian troops with a US C-130 HerculesDuring the Second World War, British-trained Nigerian troops saw action when the 81st and 82nd (West Africa) Divisions fought in the Far East.

The Nigerian Army, the largest of the services, has about 67,000[4] personnel deployed in the: 1st and 2nd Mechanized Infantry Divisions

[
b] (headquarters in Kaduna and Ibadan respectively), [/b]

3rd Armoured Division (HQ in Jos),

81st Division HQ in Enugu, Lagos (Amphibious), 82nd Division (Airborne and Amphibious),

and the Abuja-based Guards Brigade.

The divisions are distributed brigade wise across region. The 1st Division is distributed in NW, 2nd in SW, 3rd in NE and the 82nd in SE. Lagos and Abuja have Garrison commands with Lagos garrison as large as a division. There are also Divisional Artillery Brigades, Ordinance corps as well as Combat Engineer Regiments spread across the country. The Army has demonstrated its capability to mobilize, deploy, and sustain brigades in support of peacekeeping operations in Liberia, former Yugoslavia, Angola, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sierra Leone. Ex-President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo promoted and appointed Lt Gen Owoye Andrew Azazi as the Chief of the Defence Staff (CODS). Lt. Gen. Azazi was until his new appointment the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). He replaced General Martin Luther Agwai who was also promoted and appointed the Commander of African Forces in Darfur.

Lt. Gen. Azazi's appointment took effect from 1 June 2006, as contained in the statement dated 30 May 2006, issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Obong Ufot Ekaette.

The current COAS is Lt. Gen. Luka M. Yusuf who replaced Lt. Gen. Azazi in 2007.


[edit] Navy

The NNS Aradu, a MEKO 360 class frigate, flagship of the Nigerian NavyIn 1887, the Colonial Government of Nigeria established the Lagos Marine as a quasi-military organization combining the duties of present day Nigeria Ports Authority, the Inland Waterways and the maritime policing duties of modern day Navy.[5] When Northern and Southern Nigeria were brought together as one country in 1914, the two marine forces became the Nigeria Marine, and on 1 June 1956 after lobbying for a full-fledged naval force instead of a ports authority, the Nigerian Naval Force was established.

The Nigerian Navy command structure today consists of the Naval Headquarters based in Abuja, two operational commands with headquarters in Lagos and Calabar, two training commands with headquarters in[b] Lagos but with training facilities spread all over Nigeria,[/b] two operational bases, five forward operational bases (with two more soon to come on stream), two dockyards located in Lagos and Port Harcourt and two fleets based in Lagos and Calabar. The Navy has 8,000 personnel, including those of the Coast Guard.[6]

The commander of the Nigerian Navy is Vice Admiral GTA Adekeye, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). He is assisted by 7 principal staff officers at the Headquarters known as Branch Chiefs. The PSOs are: Rear Admiral PS Adeniyi, The Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral SU Umosen, the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral D Alabi, the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Rear Admiral Jonah, the Chief of Naval Engineering, Commodore S Orishamolade, the Chief of Logistics, and Commodore B Acholonu, the Navy Secretary.

Each of the Branches consists of Directorates. The Administration Branch, for instance, consists of Directorate of Education (headed by Cdre SEA Olamilokun) and Directorate of Medical Services (headed by Cdre K Ibe Lambert). The Directorate of Naval Information, headed by Captain H Babalola, is under the Chief of Policy and Plans.

The commands are under the flag officers commanding. Rear Admiral II Ibrahim commands the Western Naval Command while Rear Admiral BA Raji commands the Eastern Naval Command. The Naval Training Command is commanded by Rear Admiral GT Ombo. The newly constituted Logistics Command is headed by Rear Admiral HOG Arogundade.

The Navy recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee in Lagos with a parade and a review of the fleet by the Commander in Chief, President Olusegun Obasanjo. To witness this colourful parade were the Chiefs of Naval Staff of African Navies and other friendly nations. In 2004, two Navy rear admirals were dismissed on corruption charges after having been convicted of involvement in the disappearance from Navy custody of the Russian oil tanker African Pride.[7]

The IISS Military Balance 2007 lists the Nigerian Navy as having one MEKO 360 class frigate, NNS Aradu, one Vosper Mk 9 corvette, Enymiri (F 83), two modified Italian Lerici class coastal minesweepers (Ohue and Marabai, commissioned in 1987 and 1988 respectively) 3 French Combattante fast missile craft (Siri, Ayam, and Ekun), and four Balsam ocean patrol craft (ex buoy tenders).[8] All these vessels are listed as having their serviceability in doubt. Vessels which may be operational are a German Lurssen 57m coastal patrol craft, 12 Defender patrol boats, the landing ship tank NNS Ambe (LST 1312), and the five logistics and support ships: one survey vessel, three tugs, and the training ship Ruwan Yaro (A 497). There are two Agusta Westland Lynx Mk.89 ASW helicopters and two Agusta A109E Power utility helicopters, all of which are probably non-operational. However in late 2006/early 2007, a naval exercise was held which saw several previously thought unservicable ships involved.[9]

CONSTRAC is the Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Training Conference. The First CONSTRAC was held at Obudu in Cross River State in Nov 2006. The Nigerian Navy has just concluded the Second Chief of the Naval Staff Training Conference in Sokoto, Nigeria. It was held at Sultan Macido School of Qu'ran and General Studies between 29 Oct 07 and 2 Nov 07.


Air Force

Main article: Nigerian Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force (10,000 - IISS Military Balance 2007) flies transport, trainer, helicopter, and fighter aircraft, of which the IISS says there is 'very limited operational capability'.

Nigeria also has pursued a policy of developing domestic training and military production capabilities. Nigeria has continued a strict policy of diversification in her military procurement from various countries.


Nigerian military forces abroad

In December 1983, the new Major General Muhammadu Buhari regime announced that Nigeria could no longer afford an activist anti-colonial role in Africa. That policy statement did not deter Nigeria under Generals Ibrahim Babangida in 1990 and Sani Abacha in 1997 from sending ECOMOG peacekeeping forces under the auspices of ECOWAS into Liberia and later Sierra Leone when civil wars broke out in those countries. President Olusegun Obasanjo in August 2003 committed Nigerian troops once again into Liberia, at the urging of the United States, to provide an interim presence until the UN's force UNMIL arrived. Charles Taylor was subsequently eased out of power and exiled to Nigeria.

In October 2004, Nigerian troops again deployed into Darfur, Sudan to spearhead an AU force to stop the genocide in Darfur. Nigeria boasts to have contributed more than 20,000 troops/police to various UN missions since 1960. Nigerian Police and troops have served in places like UNIPOM (UN India-Pakistan Observer mission) 1965, UNFIL Lebanon 1978,UN observer Mission (Iran-Iraq ceasefire) 1988, former Yugoslavia 1998, East-Timor 1998, and Democratic Republic of the Congo 2004.


[edit] Sources and References
^ IISS Military Balance 2007, Routledge, p.286
^ Library of Congress Country Studies, Nigeria
^ J. ‘Kayode Fayemi, ‘Governing the Security Sector in a Democratising Polity: Nigeria’ in Gavin Cawthra & Robin Luckham (eds) Governing Insecurity: Democratic Control of Military and Security Establishments in Transitional Democracies, Zed Books, London/New York, 2003, pp.57-77
^ IISS Military Balance 2007, p.287
^ http://www.nigeriannavy.gov.ng/history.aspx, accessed February 2008
^ IISS Military Balance 2007, p.287
^ Naval Open Source Intelligence on the Nigerian Navy, bottom two articles
^ IISS Military Balance 2007, Routledge, p.287. Most name and pennant number information is from Captain Richard Sharpe RN (ed.), Jane's Fighting Ships 1999-2000, Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, Surry, p.485-7
^ Segun Adeyemi, 'Nigerian Navy exercise tests operational capability, 'Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 44, No. 5, 31 January 2007, p.16

[edit] External links
Nigerian Army
Nigerian Navy Education
Nigerian Navy Education 2
Nigerian Navy Education 3
Jane's Defence news on Nigerian Navy
Nigerian Military School, Zaria
CIA World Fact Book - Nigeria

Obviously we need help in more areas than one or two!

Interesting read I say!

Hmmmmmm!

_{Not knowing what to make out of all the jargon above!}

@Xiomara, sure the army leaves a lot to be desired and that in itself is such an understatement. However what is going to genuinely solve the problem, political will or an american base? By the way when i refer to political i am also adding the citizenry into that equation and with all the problems Nigeria has i am yet to see one that i feel cannot be solved with political will.

Sky Blue:

@Xiomara, sure the army leaves a lot to be desired and that in itself is such an understatement. However what is going to genuinely solve the problem, political will or an american base? By the way when i refer to political i am also adding the citizenry into that equation and with all the problems Nigeria has i am yet to see one that i feel cannot be solved with political will.

I say an American base.  Only with the presence of one can we truly learn about "political will" from the masters of political will.

We are not capable of learning anything about political will by ourselves.  Case in point. . . no country ever suffered from the presence of a US miltary base in it's midst.  They have all gained in more ways than a hundred.

What does Nigeria have to lose if not cheap sentiments and a hollow national ego?

@Xiomarra, but you make democratic politics sound needlessly complicated when in its essence it is actually basic and the very essence of democracy is a universal concept. There are also a lot of examples of countries that have blossomed not because they had US base in their country but because they wanted to develop and i am sure i don't need to give examples. I just still don't see the necessity of a base because what we should be concentrating on is awaking an actual non existent democracy in Nigeria whereby people and leaders think of the collective good as opposed to their own pockets only. Presidential democracy has worked in different countries but is not working in Nigeria why? Paliamentary system has worked in other countries, even communism is bringing development to some countries. You can force a horse to the stream but you can't force it to drink water. If the will is not there to change then you can surround Nigeria with American bases all you want but it would make no difference. In this day and age ignorance is not an excuse. You really think Nigeria is not progressing because they "dont know" about democracy or political will? It is not a complicated concept and the main power lies with the citizenry but i don't know what it will take for people to wake up. Doesn't democracy seem to be working in lagos? I know you people have called that state a lot but the fascination seems to be, "so it can work in Nigeria?" The will to change things.

Sky Blue:

@Xiomarra, but you make democratic politics sound needlessly complicated when in its essence it is actually basic and the very essence of democracy is a universal concept. There are also a lot of examples of countries that have blossomed not because they had US base in their country but because they wanted to develop and i am sure i don't need to give examples. I just still don't see the necessity of a base because what we should be concentrating on is awaking an actual non existent democracy in Nigeria whereby people and leaders think of the collective good as opposed to their own pockets only.

The main crux of your problem with the idea, seems to be the supposed plan for an AFRICOM base in Nigeria. A couple of months ago, there were no plans for a base and I am not sure if that has changed. This is a deal and both sides get to lay down their own demands. I am not sure if you have, by now, perused the AFRICOM website but I believe on there, it is clear that this is not necessarily about “a base” but about about more. If and I say, If a base is what they want in exchange for other things, why make it about the base?

Sky Blue:

Presidential democracy has worked in different countries but is not working in Nigeria why? Paliamentary system has worked in other countries, even communism is bringing development to some countries. You can force a horse to the stream but you can't force it to drink water. If the will is not there to change then you can surround Nigeria with American bases all you want but it would make no difference.

I will not go as far as to say that Democracy, in Nigeria is not viable. I believe it will take some time for people to come around; for people to understand that they are humans and do have the right to be treated like human beings and not like animals. How long? I do not know but it will happen. Moving things forward in the area of development and security will actually force people to start understanding that things have changed for the good.

Sky Blue:

In this day and age ignorance is not an excuse. You really think Nigeria is not progressing because they "don't know" about democracy or political will? It is not a complicated concept and the main power lies with the citizenry but i don't know what it will take for people to wake up. Doesn't democracy seem to be working in lagos? I know you people have called that state a lot but the fascination seems to be, "so it can work in Nigeria?" The will to change things.

I don’t believe the citizens understand what democracy is and how much power they have in their hands at this time. I believe that is one of the main problems. Ignorance is definitely not an excuse but we are an ignorant people. I don’t think what is happening in Lagos is necessarily democracy. I mean Fashola is doing a great job but he is, as of now, working to build the state of his own. what part have the people actually played in all that?? I would say democracy is working in Lagos as democracy worked in Nigeria while Buhari and idiaghon both had the seat.

@Kobojunkie, LOL. That is where you are wrong my friend, after going on about this magical website through out yesterday, i visited it . This AFRICOM thing has been on the news lfor a while and yes at some point it is about the base. Just go through news headlines early this year and you will realise that the US was actually looking for host countries for AFRICOM bases. One last thing, maybe i misread your reply post but i never said democracy is not viable in Nigeria, i don't know where you got that from or wether you spelt something wrong.

I may have misread you. I took your post on Nigeria not progressing, and the lecture on what you think of democracy that followed to mean democracy may not be working

Actually, a couple of months ago, there were no plans for a base in Nigeria. We discussed this on length in here as well. I am quite sure of this as I remember reading Mbeki calling on African countries to reject the offer but there was some news article about that never having been part of the plan. I am not sure of what the headlines are in Nigeria at this time. The website is not meant to be magical in any way but direct source of information on the idea. AFRICOM is not majorly about a base which seems to be the main argument you keep coming back with, as of right now it continues to function even without the supposed future base in Nigeria. If a base is in the deal, and the benefits are a big plus, I continue to be for it.

You guys should learn to read between the lines.

”So, if there is a level of infrastructure available somewhere, it does not have to be in America, it could be any other country. But now the Americans have offered what they have been offering us but they have said ‘let us make it more administratively tidy‘ rather than getting this support from Europe.”

take each statement as below:
So, if there is a level of infrastructure available somewhere, it does not have to be in America, it could be any other country.

what is infrastructure here? simple Military Base or Baracks. And he said further it can be in any country.

But now the Americans have offered what they have been offering us

what has US being offering? Military Base/command/barracks in Africa.

but they have said ‘let us make it more administratively tidy‘ rather than getting this support from Europe.”

means: AFRICOM should not be in Europe but Nigeria. Since the subject here is a Nigeria foreigner Minister. He can only speak for Nigeria and not Ghana, Liberia or South Africa.

@Kobojunkie, the rant about democracy was just to explain that we could try whatever form of government we want and we have tried about three, but nothing will work if there is no political will. It is ridiculously simple. How many posts on Nairaland have discussed different forms of government, or better forms for Nigeria? That whole democracy thing was addressed at Xiomarra because she seemed to suggest that the base will show us an example or something of the sort to learn from. Hence i stated that if we have not been able to learn or sort ourselves out especially in this day and age it is because there is no will to do so hence that "learning by example" will not work if there is continued unwillingness. We keep returning back to this base issue because that is what this thread is meant to address, isn't it? We are beginning to go round in circles a bit but just so we are clear. If there is a talk of a base you won't mind it and i don't see its necessity or significant benefits. Is that OK for a summary?  

I am cool!!!

it is sad that so persons in dis day and age will say sje/he did not know Nigeria has an army? we all had brodas&fathers who have served and died in the army,so it is very shameful of any Nigerian to make such a comment for the sake of debate. xiomarra the Nigerian in Nigeria army are not as tribalistic as you are dat i can assure and to think you are using wikipedia for your source of information shows how limited your knowledge on this issue is.you can support the USA base but please do not defame the Nigerian army.the Italians say he knows nothing know enough if he keeps quiet

@superboi, so is the Nigerian Army at present something to be proud off? You have never been had to part with your cash at a "check point"? Should you be mad at Xiomarra or at the situation?

is american army to somehing to be invited to the country after rapping little gals everywhere their based? my broda they are things am proud about in our army and there are things they can improve at.and soldier and police different oh!

Some in the Nigerian military have been accused of exactly the same, both at home and abroad.
Is this really the line of argument you want to use against US military presence in Nigeria??

What next?? You have proof that the US Army laced all tomato cans with carcinogens and so we should not let them in??

@superboi, forget about US army for now and let us focus on the Nigerian Army. Without letting sentiments of possible past glories get in the way, what is there to be proud of about the Nigerian Army at present? Being objective, can you compare anything good with the sea of just simply unacceptabilities? Where does one begin?

kobojunkie am not using dat as an argument.its was a reply to some totally condeming the nigeria army.

What exactly/specifically does Nigeria stand to gain from the presence of US military personnel in Nigeria? Is it wartime in Nigeria or what?

there are not of improvements in the nigerian army of recent, i served last year and lived in the barrack where i served but the media is in business and what is more likely to make news is that soldier kills kid in niger delta than soldiers get trainning to disobey unconstitutional orders or nigerian soldiers excel in un peace keeping mission

Armagedom,america is the mordern babylon,believing in old concept of war,destructions and conquest,all but mirage,they can't see.

If they spend a third of the money they spend on defense in seekig peace in the world,there will be peace.Agents of death,i wonder why?why can't the world change from old babaric and brutal ways to more civil ways?Must we fight?


Civilized man.,civilized monsters.

[b]@ all,

The idea of US military base in Nigeria is certainly a topic that will generate a lot of controversy for many reasons than one.
1. Many Nigerians are oblivion of issues of International politics or strategic security issues
2. Foreign policy issues is elitist in nature meaning that the rationale behind a foreign policy decision may be very strange to the ordinary man on the street, and most often than not do not enjoy the popular support of majority of the citizens
3. Again, Foreign policy issues is always shrouded in secrecy because it is herculean task for any govt to provide acceptable explanation to the public without jeopardising votes in the next election
4 . Nigeria is predominantly xtian & Islam which means American base may not court the favour of a segment of the society giving their exploits in muslim countries etc

I can go on and on siting many more reasons why a topic like this will always generate controversy

NOW LET USE LOGIC  HERE

FIVE REASONS TO REJECT US BASE:

1. Strategic: Can pose a security treat in the long run, especially if the two nations are traditional rivals or envious of each other
2. Can lead to interverence in the affairs of the host nation, especially if the in-coming president did not like the idea, the foreign troops may ensure emergence of president that will favours their cause
3. The host president may become a stoogy in the face of the most sophisticated army in the world
4. Intrusion of foreign culture can cause a sociological disharmony
5. The host country may suffer in silence as the foreign troops may become a burden rather than a blessing etc

FIVE REASONS TO ACCEPT US BASE:

1. Nigeria need US to secure a UN permanent seat at the security council, US is currently supporting Egpty, Nigeria can not afford it, Egpty holding that position will benefit Arabs more than Africa. Nigeria is the only hope of Africal in this millenium ( A loss to Egpty or South Africa will be a monumental loss)
2, US is the only surviving super power and can single handedly brings prosperity or poverty to any country, every nation that court with US get richer at their expense (Nigeria & US are not equal, so no need for any security palaba)
3. US can denied Nigeria a permanent seat at the UN, even if all the four others vote for Nigeria ( it has done it b4 to Butrous Ghali when he wanted to go for second term)
4. For strategic security in the Niger Delta, US base is not out of place
5. National Survival, you cannot be enemy of the US and survive in this more or less unipolar world etc

In International politics, there is no honour, no loyalty, no friends, the only permanet thing is "INTEREST" Every nation where US has its military base have tendencies to prosper and buoyant economy except a foolish country will host the US and still be poor.
Every nation is like a prostitute in the international system, with  visionary leaders that knows how to balance and re-align interests a country can record monument success in little time like the South Koreas (with about 100,000 US troops) You can host the US today, get the UN Security Council seat, get better economic packages from US to build your economy, benefit from their expertise, climb on the shoulder and move on, the truth is US will not forever remain a Super Power, empire rises and falls. Tomorrow you can pass a law not to allow foreign troops on your land but you would ve been better off by then.

As I said earlier, this kind of wisdom is rare among Nigerian leaders, because the re not sincere and they come to power to exploits their poor masses. It will take a wise nation to benefit from US . America  is a generous cowboy, if you play soft and cool headed with her, you can climb thru her to stardom and if you re foolish, you can dare her and bring collateral damage to yourself and your people like Saddam.[/b]

FIVE REASONS TO ACCEPT US BASE:
1. Nigeria need US to secure a UN permanent seat at the security council,

We need the 5 permanent members not just the US. (Any of the permanent members could veto our becoming permanent members.)

2.US is the only surviving super power and can single handedly brings prosperity or poverty to any country,

The US won't bring poverty to Nigeria because we refused them a military base. We need trade pacts not arms treaty.

3.US can denied Nigeria a permanent seat at the UN, even if all the four others vote for Nigeria

Are you running out of reasons? (See your reason number 1)

4.For strategic security in the Niger Delta, US base is not out of place

Supposing the US decides to side with peoples of the Niger Delta? (Remember the Niger Delta peoples are the one's sitting on this black gold)

5.National Survival, you cannot be enemy of the US and survive in this more or less unipolar world etc

Are you saying they will attack us if we refuse them a base?

(1)segzy there are alot of country where the usa have bases and majority the people remain poor. so that not an issue.(2) if you look at the country that have permanent seat at the un security council,they all got their wealth through hardwork and not through being member of that council. (3) we can still be the us friend without having their base here.

superboi:

is american army to somehing to be invited to the country after rapping little gals everywhere their based? my brother they are things am proud about in our army and there are things they can improve at.and soldier and police different oh!

Because them never see toto before abi?

superboi:

it is sad that so persons in this day and age will say sje/he did not know Nigeria has an army? we all had brodas&fathers who have served and died in the army,so it is very shameful of any Nigerian to make such a comment for the sake of debate. xiomarra the Nigerian in Nigeria army are not as tribalistic as you are that i can assure and to think you are using wikipedia for your source of information shows how limited your knowledge on this issue is.[/b]you can support the USA base but please [b]do not defame the Nigerian army.the Italians say he knows nothing know enough if he keeps quiet

You are right!

Nothing to know about the Nigerian army just a bunch of Chadians with Yoruba and Calabar names for psychological 499!

Sky Blue:

@superboi, forget about US army for now and let us focus on the Nigerian Army. Without letting sentiments of possible past glories get in the way, what is there to be proud of about the Nigerian Army at present? Being objective, can you compare anything good with the sea of just simply unacceptabilities? Where does one begin?

Wonderful!

xiamorra well if a chadian is ready to join the nigerian army and die in the force he is nigerian,more so than you and your brodas that join the us army are american

people like you are the problem of nigeria,always concentrating on what divides us than what unites us

superboi:

people like you are the problem of nigeria,always concentrating on what divides us than what unites us

Don't get into any debate with that woman o. She's anti Nigerian to the core. Another thing is she's certified brain dead. Is no use arguing with her, it serves no purpose. Here is a woman who said 99% of Nigerians are stupid yet spend 99% of her on-line time on Nigeria forum. I rest my case.