The Supreme Military Council was the highest law making body during the military era in Nigeria. The regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sanni Abacha, however called theirs Armed Forces Ruling Council and Provincial Ruling Council, respectively. It was usually made up of the Head of State, the Chief of Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the IG and the governors of the states. This was the arrangement during the regimes of J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi and Yakubu Gowon. But beginning from the 29th of July, 1976 when Murtala Muhammed became the Head of State, he composed a 22 man SMC excluding the governors of the 12 states.

Murtala Muhammed's SMC
1.The Head of State - Brig. Murtala Muhammed.
2. Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters - Brig. Olusegun Obasanjo.
3. Chief of Army Staff - Brig T. Y. Danjuma.
4. Chief of Naval Staff - Comm. Adelanwa.
5. Chief of Air Staff - Col. John Yisa Doko.
6. Inspector-General of Police - Mr M. D. Yusuf.
7. GOC 1st Division - Brig. J. A Akinrinade.
8. GOC 2nd Division - Brig. Martin Adamu.
9. GOC 3rd Division - Brig. Emmanuel Abisoye.
10. Lagos Garrison Organization Brig. John Obada.
11. Col. Joseph Garba.
12. Lt-Col. Shehu Yara'adua.
13. Brig. James Oluleye.
14. Brig. Iliya Bisalla.
15. Col. Ibrahim Babangida.
16. Lt-Col. Muktar Muhammed.
17. Col. Dan Suleiman.
18. Capt. Olufemi Olumide (NN).
19. Capt. H. Husaini Abdullahi (NN).
20. Mr. Adamu Suleiman, Commissioner of Police.
21. Lt-Col. Alfred Aduloju.
22. Lt-Commander Godwin Kanu (NN).