President Olusegun Obasanjo conceived the vision for a national air defence scheme for Nigeria when he was the Military Head of State in the 70s. The idea was for a tri-Service organisation that would be able to provide air defence coverage for vital economic targets throughout the country. The NAF issued an establishment order dated 2 August 1977, which gave birth to the present National Air Defence Corps (NADC). The NADC is charged with the responsibility for:

i. Monitoring the Nigerian airspace situation through a network of radar systems and give early warning of aircraft violations.

ii. Liaison with the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency to ensure proper demarcation and promulgation of air defence identification zones, military air traffic zones and military training and low flying areas.

iii. Identification and interception of hostile aircraft within the Nigerian airspace.

iv. Providing low level air defence coverage of the Nation’s international airports, vulnerable points, vital areas and key points.

v. Embarking on the promotion of passive air defence measures in proper liaison with civil defence organizations. vi. Coordinating National aeronautical search and rescue operations with the National Emergency Management Agency.