The Nigerian Army has officially announced the commencement of online applications for its Short Service Combatant (SSC) Commission Course 49/2026, inviting eligible Nigerians to apply for enlistment into various combat and support corps.
The application process is free of charge and will run from Thursday, October 9, 2025, to Wednesday, November 12, 2025, according to the public notice signed by the Military Secretary (Army), Army Headquarters, Abuja.
About the Short Service Combatant Course (SSC 49/2026)
The Short Service Combatant Commission (SSC) is a special enlistment program designed for Nigerian citizens aspiring to serve as officers in the Nigerian Army for a short period — typically 15 years, renewable for an additional 10 years, depending on performance and Army requirements.
Successful applicants will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants and deployed across combat and support arms such as Infantry, Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence Corps.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements
According to the official statement, all applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Citizenship and Age: Must be a Nigerian citizen by birth and aged between 23 and 27 years by January 9, 2026.
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Character: Must be of good character and not convicted by any court of law.
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Height Requirement: Minimum of 1.68m (for males) and 1.65m (for females).
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Education:
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Applicants must possess at least a Second Class Lower Division degree or Lower Credit for HND holders from recognized institutions.
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Graduates from foreign institutions must submit a Letter of Attestation and Certificate of Equivalency from the Federal Ministry of Education.
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NYSC: Applicants must possess a valid NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter.
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Health: Must be medically, physically, and mentally fit according to Nigerian Army standards.
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Marital Status: Must be single at the time of application.
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Documents Required:
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Birth certificate or age declaration.
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Certificate of state of origin.
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Educational certificates (degree/HND/ND).
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Passport photographs.
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NIN/BVN slip.
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Applicants with any pending civil cases or prior dismissal from the Armed Forces will not be considered.
Method of Application
All applications must be completed online via the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal:
👉 https://recruitment.army.mil.ng
Steps to Apply:
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Visit the portal and click “Apply Now” under Short Service Combatant Commission Course 49/2026.
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Indicate whether you are serving or civilian personnel.
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Create an account (or log in if you have an existing one).
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Complete the online form accurately and upload all required documents.
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Print out your completed application form, including the Declaration Form, Photo Card, and Acknowledgment Form.
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the selection board. During the selection, applicants must present originals of all uploaded documents.
Important Dates
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Application Opens: Thursday, October 9, 2025
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Application Closes: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Applicants are strongly advised to submit their forms before the closing date to avoid disqualification.
Conditions of Service
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The Short Service Combatant Commission is for a 15-year period — 10 years active service and 5 years in the reserve.
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Successful candidates will undergo intensive military and leadership training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
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On completion, cadets will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants and deployed as required by the Nigerian Army.
Key Takeaways
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Nigerian Army announces SSC Course 49/2026 recruitment.
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Online application runs October 9 – November 12, 2025.
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Open to Nigerian graduates aged 23–27 years.
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Minimum qualification: Second Class Lower / Lower Credit.
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Application portal: recruitment.army.mil.ng
For Enquiries
For more information, applicants may contact:
📞 08179269294 or 08109959294
🕐 Available Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Published: October 12, 2025
By: GoldenNewsNg Recruitment Desk
Source: Nigerian Army Headquarters
