The Nigerian Army has announced the opening of applications for the Short Service Combatant (SSC) Commission Course 49/2026, inviting eligible Nigerians to serve in its Combat Arms and Combat Support Arms.
The SSC programme offers qualified graduates a pathway into the Nigerian Army with opportunities in units such as Infantry, Armour, Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence Corps.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Age: Between 23 and 27 years by January 2026.
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Education: Minimum of HND (Lower Credit) or First Degree (Second Class Lower Division) in Arts, Sciences, or Humanities.
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Nationality: Must be a Nigerian citizen by birth.
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Marital Status: Single at the time of application.
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Fitness: Must be medically, mentally, and physically fit according to Nigerian Army standards.
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Height: Minimum 1.68 m for men and 1.65 m for women.
Required Documents
Applicants are expected to upload clear and valid copies of:
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Birth certificate or age declaration
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Certificate of state of origin
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NYSC discharge or exemption certificate
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Letter of attestation from degree-awarding institution
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Recent passport photographs
All documents must be scanned and uploaded during the online application process.
Service Details
Successful candidates will serve an initial 15-year term – comprising 10 years on active list, renewable for an additional five.
Cadets will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants upon completion of training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
How to Apply
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Visit the official Nigerian Army Recruitment Portal at recruitment.army.mil.ng.
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Create an account, log in, and fill out the online application form.
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Upload the required documents.
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Submit the completed application before the deadline.
Application Deadline: 12 November 2025
Application Fee: Free of charge
Important Notes
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Applicants should disregard any unofficial recruitment portals or agents.
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The Army warns against falsifying documents or submitting multiple entries.
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Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for screening at designated centres nationwide.
For further details, candidates may contact the Military Secretary (Army) at Army Headquarters, Abuja, or call 08179269294 / 08109959294 between 0800–1800 hours daily.