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Nigerian Army Recruitment — Soldiers, Officers & Tradesmen

Nigerian Army recruitment 2026 — updated 19 August 2026. Check portal for latest status.

⚪ Unknown August 2026
🌐 Army Recruitment Portal 🔍 Check Status ← All Recruitment
⚪ Status Unknown — Monitor official portal
NA recruitment status has not been officially announced. Check https://nashortservice.army.mil.ng/ and this page for updates.

📋 Quick Facts — NA Recruitment 2026

Unknown
Current Status
18–28
Age Limit
SSCE minimum; BSc/HND for officers
Qualification
Nigerian Army salary scales (NASS)
Salary/Grade

📌 About NA Recruitment 2026

The Nigerian Army recruits through four main entry routes: Regular Commission (RC) for career officers via Nigerian Defence Academy, Short Service Commission (SSC) for degree holders on limited tenure, Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) for professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers), and Non-Commissioned soldiers for trades and combatant roles. The Army conducts recruitment through its official portal at recruitment.army.mil.ng and is one of Nigeria's most competitive federal employers, typically receiving over 500,000 applications per cycle for 3,000–5,000 available slots.

✅ Requirements — NA Recruitment

  • Nigerian citizen. Age 18–22 (soldiers), 22–28 (officers). Minimum SSCE/NECO with 5 credits for soldiers. BSc/HND minimum Second Class Lower for officers. Medically and physically fit. Minimum height 1.67m (male), 1.64m (female).

📝 How to Apply for NA Recruitment 2026

1
Visit army.mil.ng and follow the recruitment link. Register with a valid email. Complete the online form, upload required documents. Print acknowledgement slip. Report to designated screening venue.
🌐 Go to NA Recruitment Portal →

📖 NA Recruitment History

The Nigerian Army has maintained a structured recruitment calendar since the return to democracy in 1999. Key exercises include: 2023 — 84 Regular Course (RC) intake and DSSC batch. 2022 — 83RC intake, approximately 3,000 soldiers enlisted. 2021 — 82RC intake, Covid-delayed but completed successfully. 2020 — 81RC intake affected by #EndSARS but concluded. The Army typically conducts recruitment twice yearly for different entry routes. The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna hosts the annual entrance examination for Regular Commission officers. NDA admission is the most prestigious entry route and requires passing both an academic examination and the Army Qualifying Test (AQT).

📅 Past Recruitment Dates — NA

Historical pattern
84RC Intake 2023: Applications opened January 2023, NDA exam March 2023, screening April–June 2023. 83RC Intake 2022: Applications November 2021, exam February 2022, screening April 2022. DSSC 2023: Applications March 2023, screening May–June 2023. SSC 2022: Applications August 2022, screening October 2022. Soldier Recruitment 2022: Applications June 2022, physical screening August–September 2022. Pattern: Army RC applications typically open October–December for the following year's intake. DSSC and SSC are advertised separately, usually 2–3 per year. Monitor recruitment.army.mil.ng and @HQNigerianArmy on X.

💰 NA Salary Scale 2026

CONPSS rates
Rank / Grade Monthly Salary
General (GOC-in-C) — GL 17 ₦509,010/month . Lieutenant General — GL 16: ₦433,120/month. Major General — GL 15: ₦355,260/month. Brigadier General — GL 14: ₦284,532/month. Colonel — GL 13: ₦246,918/month. Lieutenant Colonel — GL 12: ₦212,280/month. Major — GL 11: ₦183,214/month. Captain — GL 10: ₦158,340/month. Lieutenant — GL 09: ₦136,735/month. 2nd Lieutenant — GL 08: ₦118,021/month. Warrant Officer — GL 07: ₦91,604/month. Colour Sergeant — GL 06: ₦78,940/month. Sergeant — GL 05: ₦67,512/month. Corporal — GL 04: ₦57,891/month. Lance Corporal — GL 03: ₦49,737/month. Private — GL 02: ₦43,214/month. Note: Military salary is supplemented by operational allowances, hazard pay, housing and feeding allowances which significantly increase take-home pay. Troops on peacekeeping missions (ECOMOG, UN) receive dollar-denominated allowances.

💡 Screening Tips — How to Pass NA Recruitment

From successful candidates
1 Army recruitment screening tips from successful candidates: (1) The Army Qualifying Test (AQT) covers Mathematics, English, General Knowledge and Current Affairs — study past questions from the Army website. (2) Physical fitness is assessed through 2.4km run (men: under 11 minutes; women: under 13 minutes), sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups. (3) Medical: vision must be at least 6/12 correctable to 6/6. No flat feet, no colour blindness for combat roles. (4) Documentation must be certified — do not bring uncertified photocopies. (5) Chest measurement: minimum 86cm for men. (6) Bring extra passport photographs — at least 10 copies. (7) The chest x-ray is mandatory — do not come with active chest conditions. (8) Character assessment: your attitude and discipline at the venue matters — officers observe behaviour throughout the process.

⛔ Common Disqualifiers — Why Candidates Are Rejected

Read before applying
⚠️ Common disqualifiers for Nigerian Army recruitment: (1) Failed AQT/written test — minimum pass mark is typically 50%. (2) Height below 1.67m (male) or 1.64m (female). (3) Colour blindness — disqualifying for combat arms, may be accommodated in support roles. (4) Flat feet — medically assessed on site. (5) Tattoos anywhere on body — zero tolerance policy. (6) Criminal record or pending court case. (7) Documents with inconsistencies — name, date of birth must match across NIN, birth certificate and academic certificates. (8) Piercings for male applicants. (9) Pre-existing medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, epilepsy. (10) Weight outside acceptable range for height.

📁 Documents Required for NA Recruitment

Bring originals + photocopies
✅ Original and photocopy of: NIN slip (mandatory). Birth certificate (not age declaration for Army — original birth certificate required). WAEC/NECO result. Degree/HND certificate and transcript (for officer routes). NYSC discharge certificate (for graduates). Medical fitness certificate from government hospital. Police clearance certificate. Local Government identification letter. State of origin certificate. Testimonial from principal of last school attended. 12 recent passport photographs (white background, plain clothes). Acknowledgement slip from recruitment.army.mil.ng.
⚠️ Bring original documents plus photocopies of each. Missing a single document typically means immediate disqualification.

📌 About Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army is the land warfare component of the Nigerian Armed Forces and one of Africa's largest and most experienced armies, with combat experience spanning UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and the ongoing counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East.

For career-minded Nigerians, the Army offers one of the most structured career paths in government service. The officer corps is divided into combat arms (Infantry, Armoured Corps, Artillery, Engineers) and support services (Signals, Medical, Legal, Education, Supply and Transport). Soldiers serve in either combatant or non-combatant trades ranging from Rifleman and Gunner to Electrician, Mechanic, Cook and Musician.

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna is the premier route into the officer corps. Candidates for the Regular Commission course write the NDA entrance examination, which is administered JAMB-style at designated centres. Successful candidates undergo a 5-year programme combining military training and undergraduate education, graduating with a BSc degree and commissioned as Second Lieutenants.

For existing graduates, the Short Service Commission (SSC) and Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) offer entry. SSC officers serve for an initial 10 years with possibility of conversion to regular commission. DSSC is specifically for professionals — medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers, chaplains — who serve their profession within the Army structure.

Life in the Nigerian Army requires adaptability to postings across the country and sometimes overseas. Officers and soldiers are subject to military law under the Armed Forces Act and must maintain conduct standards both on and off duty. The Army provides free accommodation at barracks, free medical care, children's education support and pension on retirement.

❓ FAQ — NA Recruitment 2026

2 questions
Yes. Nigerian Army recruitment is completely free of charge. The Nigerian Army does not charge application fees, screening fees, or any other fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Anyone requesting money for Army recruitment placement is a fraudster. Report such persons to the Army's recruitment committee or to the nearest police station. Apply only through recruitment.army.mil.ng.
Basic military training for non-commissioned soldiers (privates) in the Nigerian Army lasts approximately 6 months at the Army Training Centre (ATC) in Zaria, Kaduna State or at designated training depots. During this period, recruits undergo physical conditioning, weapons training, military law and discipline, and trade-specific training. Officer Cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) undergo a 5-year programme combining military and academic training.
⚠️ Recruitment Scam Warning: The Nigerian Army does NOT charge any fees for recruitment. Only apply via the official portal: https://nashortservice.army.mil.ng/. Report scammers to the EFCC or your nearest police station.