- Army Cautions Public Against Fake Recruitment Portals
The Nigerian Army has opened applications for its Short Service Combatant Commission Course 50/2027, offering qualified Nigerians an opportunity to join the service as commissioned officers.
The exercise is open to both civilians and serving military personnel who meet the stipulated requirements. Those who successfully complete the military training will be commissioned to serve in the Army’s Combat Arms—Infantry and Armour Corps—as well as Combat Support Arms, comprising Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence Corps.
Applications will open on Friday, August 14, 2026, and close on Saturday, October 17, 2026, according to the recruitment notice issued by Army Headquarters, Department of Military Secretary, Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja. The application is free.
But the Army has a warning for prospective applicants: they should steer clear of recruitment portals opened before the publication of the official notice.
It also advised applicants and members of the public to watch out for further information through jingles on television and radio stations.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, an applicant must be a Nigerian citizen by birth and be between 23 and 27 years old by January 10, 2027. Both men and women can apply.
Candidates must also be medically, mentally and physically fit in accordance with Nigerian Army standards.
On academic qualifications, applicants must possess at least a first degree with not less than Second Class Lower Division, or a Higher National Diploma with not less than Lower Credit, in the arts, sciences or humanities from an accredited university or higher institution.
The Army stressed that the courses studied must also have been accredited at the time of study.
There is another important condition: only tertiary academic credentials obtained from 2018 to date will be considered.
Civilian applicants must have their NYSC discharge certificates, while serving military personnel are required to present NYSC exemption certificates.
For height, male applicants must measure at least 1.68 metres, while the minimum for female candidates is 1.65 metres.
Applicants must not have been convicted by any court of law and must not have body inscriptions or tattoos. Membership of a cult, secret society or fraternity is also prohibited.
Tougher Documentation for Applicants
Civilian candidates will need more than academic certificates to make it through the process.
They must be recommended and have their good character attested to by at least two recognised referees. The referees may be a Local Government Chairman or Secretary, an Armed Forces officer not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent, or an Assistant Commissioner of Police who hails from the applicant’s state of origin.
Candidates must also submit a letter of attestation from the institution that awarded their degree.
Serving military personnel have additional conditions to meet.
They are required to present valid military identity cards and letters of recommendation from their Commanding Officers or Commanders. Where applicable, they must also provide valid letters showing official sponsorship for their tertiary education.
More importantly, serving personnel seeking the commission must have spent at least five years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Army warned serving personnel against concealing their status during the application.
According to the notice, failure to declare one’s service status constitutes an offence and could lead to disqualification at any stage of the recruitment exercise.
Successful Cadets to Become Second Lieutenants
Candidates who make it through the selection process and successfully complete military training will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants.
Their seniority will take effect from the date they commence cadet training.
The Short Service Combatant Commission runs for 15 years. The first 10 years will be on the active list as the initial bonding period, after which the appointment may be renewed for not more than another five years.
There will be no extension beyond the 15th year unless an officer converts to the Regular Combatant Commission, where applicable.
Such conversion, however, is not automatic. The Army said it would depend on available vacancies and other criteria in force at the time.
NIN, BVN Among Required Documents
Applicants are expected to complete the process online and upload a recent passport photograph, educational certificates, certificate of state of origin and birth certificate or age declaration.
They will also be required to upload their NIN and BVN slips.
After completing the online application, candidates must print their generated photo-slip.
The first page of the document is to be signed by the Registrar of any Court of Law, while the second page must be signed by the applicant’s Local Government Chairman or Secretary, or a military officer of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent and above who hails from the applicant’s state of origin.
Those shortlisted will be required to present the printed application forms, including their photo-slips, guarantor and attestation forms, to the Selection Board during the interview.
Applications close on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The notice was signed by the Acting Military Secretary (Army) on behalf of Army Headquarters.
