2026 Nigerian Army 29 SSC and DSSC Application (Follow The Instruction )

January 8, 2026

2026 Nigerian Army 29 SSC / DSSC Application | The Nigeria army 29 Short Service / Direct Short Service Commission portal are now open, Candidates applying for the SSC / DSSC (Short Service Commission / Direct Short Service Commission) are strongly encouraged to carefully review the eligibility criteria, especially the requirement of a Higher National Diploma (HND) / Bachelor’s degree. This ensures they meet the necessary qualifications and are fully prepared for successful consideration.

Application Deadline: 4 February 2026

Short Service Commission Course 29/2026

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.

1. Applications are invited from eligible Nigerians for commission into the Nigerian Army (NA) as Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) officers. The DSSC is open to both civilians and serving military personnel into the following corps.

a. Nigerian Army Engineers.

b. Nigerian Army Signals.

c. Nigerian Army Medical Corps.

d. Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

e. Nigerian Army Education Corps.

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Entry Requirements

All applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

a. Be a Nigerian as defined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

b. Be a male or female between the ages of 20 and 32 years by 30 March 2026. Medical consultants could be between 25 – 40 years of age by 30 March 2026.

c. Be medically, mentally and physically fit according to NA standards.

d. 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 Lieutenant Colonel and equivalent or an Assistant Commissioner of Police and above who must hail from the applicant’s state of origin. Passport photographs of referees must be affixed to the letter of attestation.

e. Applicants must submit a letter of Attestation from their former institutions.

f. Measure in height at least 1.68m (for males) and 1.65m (for females).

g. Must not have been convicted by any court of law. Military personnel applying must be free from any disciplinary case and endorsed by the applicant’s Commanding Officer/Commander.

h. Possess at least a first degree with not less than Second Class Upper Division or HND (where applicable) of not less than Upper Credit from any accredited institution of learning.

i. Possess valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital or Local Government Council or valid age declaration.

j. Possess a valid state of origin certificate.

k. Applicants must possess NYSC discharge certificate or valid exemption certificate as appropriate.

l. Graduates with professional qualifications must be duly registered by the relevant regulating bodies recognized by Nigerian Laws at the commencement of cadet training.

m. Only post-secondary academic credentials obtained from 2011 to date will be considered.

n. Applicants must present valid contact addresses and telephone numbers of parents/guardians and Next of Kin as appropriate.

o. Candidates must not have any bodily inscriptions or tattoos.

p. Candidates must tender all original copies of educational certificates (primary to post-secondary).

q. Service personnel must present valid military identity cards and letter of recommendation by their Commanding Officers/Commanders. They must also present the valid letter(s) of Service sponsorship to tertiary academic institutions (where applicable). Additionally, they must have served for a period of not less

than 5 years.

r. Candidates must not belong to any cult/society/fraternity.

Conditions of Service

3. 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.

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. 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.

Applications are to be made online free of charge from 4 February 2026.

2026 Nigerian Army 29 SSC / DSSC Application (Follow The Instruction )