The Nigeria Armed Forces as a security organ dates back as far as 1863 when the Hausa constabulary was formed by the colonial masters. This was to later metamorphose into the West Africa Frontier Force (WAFF) and then Nigerian Regiment in 1956. This outfit was only made up of the Army. However, the need to protect and patrol Nigerian coastline and its resources led to the creation of the Nigerian Navy in 1956. These were components of the Nigeria security structure till 1964 when the Nigerian Air Force was established. The idea of forming an air force in Nigeria was muted in 1962. This was as a result of difficulties encountered when the country was called upon to participate in two foreign military operations in war-torn Republic of Congo in the early 1960s and to quell military insurrections in Tanganyika (Tanzania) in 1959. These scenario saw Nigeria relying on civil aircraft in conveying her men and logistics to the theatre of war or being airlifted by other foreign air forces.
Thus, the first batch of cadets for training as Air Force officers were recruited and sent on training with the Ethiopian Air Force in July 1962. A second batch of 16 followed in February, 1963 to train at the Royal Canadian Air Force, while 6 others were sent to Indian Air Force.  The third batch of 84 cadets left for Germany in August 1963.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was thus established by an Act of Parliament in 1964. Part 1 section (2) of the Air Force Act states:
"The Nigerian Air Force shall be charged with the defence of the Federal Republic by air, and to give effect thereto, the personnel shall be trained in such duties as in the air as well as on the ground.
To achieve this goal and realizing the importance for local training, discussion and negotiate were entered into with various countries on the need for local training of NAF personnel. The Federal Government therefore entered contract agreement with the West German Air Force for the ( Technical Assistance Group (TAG). In addition some Nigerian Army officers were transferred to the  Air Force to form the first nucleus of Nigerian officers of the NAF. The Nigerian Act No. 11 of 1964 by the Nigerian Parliament therefore stated the objective of the Air Force thus:
i.) To achieve a full complement of the military system of the Federal Republic of Nigeria both in the air and on the ground.
ii.) To ensure fast versatile mobility of the Armed Forces.
iii.) To provide close air support for ground forces in all phases of operation and to ensure the territorial integrity of a United Nigeria.
iv.) To give the Country the deserved prestige which is invaluable in international matters.
In furtherance to the above objectives section 217(20) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 charged the Nigerian Air Force and other arms of the Armed Forces with the responsibilities of:
1) Defending Nigeria from external aggression.
2) Maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its boarders from violation by land sea and air.
3) Suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon by the President, subject to such conditions as prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly; and
4) Performing such other functions as may be prescribe by an Act of the National Assembly.

Based on the mandate assigned to it by the constitution, Nigerian Air Force formulated its operational doctrine to enable it achieve assigned tasks. This doctrine was predicated on the following fundamental beliefs:
i. The NAF can best be developed and employed in accordance with the principles of unity of command, centralized control and decentralized execution.
ii. The best employment of the Nigerian Air Force shall be in the offensive; and
iii. Air superiority is essential to the successful conduct of combat operations.
In addition, the Nigerian Air Force has its operational dictum as 'ACTIVE DEFENCE,FORWARD ENGAGEMENT'. This is within the framework of a strategically defensive but tactically offensive military stance.