The Ministry of Defence (MOD) serves as the principal authority in Nigeria's defense sector, established on October 1, 1958. It provides strategic, administrative, and operational leadership to the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, translating the policy directives of the President into actionable strategies that ensure national security. Overseen by the Honourable Minister of Defence, the MOD's mission is to deliver effective administrative and support services that foster a strong, professional, and mission-capable military.

The Ministry's core functions include policy formulation, defense budgeting and finance, civil-military liaison, and overseeing the welfare of military personnel and veterans. It also sets recruitment and training standards across various defense institutions and manages international defense cooperation with organizations like ECOWAS and the UN. With a legacy spanning over six decades, the MOD coordinates operations for the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force while maintaining vital agencies such as the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, all located in Abuja.