The history of the Nigerian Army dates to 1863, when Lt Glover of the Royal Navy selected 18 indigenes from the Northern part of the country and organized them into a local force, known as the "Glover Hausas". The small force was used by Glover as governor of Lagos to mount punitive expedition in the Lagos hinterland and to protect British trade...

Applications are invited from eligible Nigerians for commission into the Nigerian Army (NA) as Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) officers. The SSCC application is open to both civilians and serving military personnel with appropriate qualifications. On completion of training and when commissioned as officers, the SSCC officers would serve only in the Combat Arms (Infantry and Armour Corps) and Combat Support Arms (Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence Corps) of the Nigerian Army

All applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of Nigeria by birth, as defined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
• Be a male or female between the ages of 23 and 27 by 9 January 2026.
• Be medically, mentally and physically fit according to Nigerian Army Standards.
• Civilian applicants must be recommended and attested to his/her good character by at least 2 recognizable referees who are either a Local Government Chairman/Secretary or an officer of the Armed Forces not below the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel and equivalent/Assistant Commissioner of Police who must hail from the applicant’s state of origin. Passport photographs of referees must be affixed to the letter of attestation.
• Candidates must submit a Letter of Attestation from their former institutions.
• Measure in height at least 1.68m (for male) and 1.65m (for female).
• Must not have been convicted by any court of law. Military personnel must not have any disciplinary case and must be endorsed by the Commanding Officer/Commander.
• Possess at least a first degree with not less than Second Class Lower Division or HND of not less than Lower Credit in the arts, sciences or humanities from accredited university or institution of higher learning. Courses of study must also be accredited at the time of study.
• Possess valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital or Local Government Council or valid age declaration.
• Possess a valid certificate of state of origin.
• Applicants (other than serving members of the Armed Forces) must possess NYSC discharge certificate or a valid certificate of exemption.
• Only tertiary academic credentials obtained from Year 2017 to date will be considered.
• Applicants must present valid contact addresses and telephone numbers of parent/guardians and Next of Kin.
• Candidates must not have any body inscriptions or tattoos.
• Candidates must tender all original copies of educational certificates (primary to tertiary).
• Service personnel must present valid military identity cards and letters of recommendations by their Commanding Officers/Commanders. They must also present valid letter(s) of official sponsorship in tertiary academic institutions. Additionally, they must have served for a minimum period of 5 years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. All Service personnel applicants are under obligation to declare their Service status on application as required by Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Failing to do so constitutes an offence in addition to disqualification at any stage.
• Candidates must not be members of any cult/secret society/fraternity.
• Candidates must not have been dismissed or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any military or para-military training institutions. 

Conditions of Service

SSCC will be granted for 15 years. Ten years will be on the active list (Initial bonding period) renewable thereafter for a period not more than 5 years. No extension shall be granted after the fifteenth year of commission except on conversion to regular combatant commission where applicable.

• Officer cadets who successfully complete the military training shall be granted the rank of second lieutenant with seniority effective date of commencement of cadet training.
• SSC officers shall have the privilege to convert to Regular Combatant Commission, however, it is not automatic. It is based on availability of vacancy and other criteria that are or will be in force from time to time.
• All graduating officer cadets must sign an acceptance of the terms and conditions governing the SSCC before they are granted commission into the Nigerian Army.
• The reckonable period of service for civilians who become commissioned officers will be based on the date of commencement of cadet training while that of military personnel applicants would be effective date of enlistment.

Method of Application

 Applications are to be made online free of charge from 9 October to 12  November 2025. 

How to apply:

• Go online and visit Nigerian Army recruitment webpage at: recruitment.army.mil.ng and choose SSC option.
• You will be redirected to the page where you can read the conditions of entry for SSCC Course (SSC) 49/2026.
• Click on the “Apply Now” button for SSC 49/2026 as per your qualification.
• Next, you will be prompted to indicate whether you are serving or have served in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Choose the appropriate option and proceed.
• If you do not have an active account (from previous application), click on “Sign Up” (a verification will be sent to your email) enter your login details and log in. Otherwise log in with your existing details.

Fill out the online form and ensure all required documents listed below are uploaded:

• Recent passport photograph.
• Educational certificates (of qualification indicated).
• Certificate of state of origin.
• Birth certificate or age declaration.
• NIN and BVN Slips.

Print Out.  Applicants must print out their online generated photo-slip on completion of their application. The first page is to be signed by the Registrar of any Court of Law while the second page is to be signed by the applicants’ Local Government Chairman/Secretary or any military officer of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent and above who hails from an applicant’s state of origin. Successful applicants would present their printed application forms (photo-slips, guarantors form, attestation form etc) to the Selection Board during interview.

CLOSING DATE

All applications must be submitted not later than 12 November 2025.