The president of Nigeria serves as the commander in chief of the armed forces and is responsible for determining the operational use of the military. Under the Constitution, the president is granted authority to appoint the chief of defense staff and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and any subsequent branches that may be created by an act of the National Assembly. The president may delegate operational command of the armed forces to any member of the military as he sees fit. The Nigerian military is tasked with defending the nation from external aggression, maintaining territorial integrity, suppressing insurrection, aiding civil authorities in restoring order when called upon by the president, and carrying out similar functions as directed by the National Assembly.
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