In 1935, the NABC was converted into a full-fledged military band, being part of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF).

Two years before the country's independence in 1960, the band was transferred from its rehearsal space in Kaduna to Abalti Barracks in Lagos.

As part of the government policy of the replacement British citizens with native Nigerians in public roles, Captain Cooper was replaced in 1964 by Lieutenant Colonel Josef Olubobokun (1930–2015), who became the first native Nigerian to lead the cops.

[5][6] The Army School of Music (NASM) is a part of the corps that is also a branch of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

[8] It order to be eligible to serve in the corps, one would have to be aged between 18 and 26, as well as have a height of 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) for male members (162 cm (5 ft 4 in) for female members) and a knowledge of Nigerian regional languages, aside from capability in playing musical instruments.