NIGERIAN ARMY RELEASES APPLICATION FORM FOR SHORT SERVICE COMBATANT COMMISSION COURSE 50/2027

Nigerian Army Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027 Recruitment

The Nigerian Army (NA) invites qualified Nigerian civilians and serving military personnel to apply for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027. Successful candidates will undergo intensive military training and be commissioned as officers into the Combat and Combat Support Arms of the Nigerian Army (including Infantry, Armour, Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence).

Application Timeline & Portal Details

• Application Opening Date: Friday, 14th August 2026

• Application Closing Date: Saturday, 17th October 2026

• Application Fee: FREE OF CHARGE (Do not pay money to any individual, agent, or third-party site).

• Official Portal: recruitment.army.mil.ng

General Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for consideration, applicants must fulfill the following mandatory entry specifications:

• Nationality: Must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth.

• Age Limits: Must be between 23 and 27 years of age as of 10th January 2027.

• Academic Qualifications: Must hold a First Degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division (2:2) or an HND with a minimum of Lower Credit from an accredited tertiary institution.

• Qualification Recency: Only tertiary academic credentials obtained between 2018 and the present date are valid for this intake.

• NYSC Requirements: Civilian applicants must upload a valid National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate. Serving military personnel must present an NYSC Exemption Certificate where applicable.

• Physical & Medical Standards: Candidates must be certified medically, physically, and mentally fit according to Nigerian Army standards.

  • Minimum Height: Male applicants: 1.68 metres | Female applicants: 1.65 metres.

  • Tattoos & Inscriptions: Applicants must have no body tattoos or permanent skin inscriptions.

• Character & Background: Must possess a valid Certificate of State of Origin and a Birth Certificate (or legal Age Declaration). Applicants must have no criminal record, must not belong to any cult, secret society, or fraternity, and must not have been previously dismissed or withdrawn from any military or paramilitary training institution.

• Attestation: Civilian candidates must be attested to and recommended by two recognizable referees (such as a Local Government Chairman/Secretary or an Armed Forces officer not below the equivalent rank of Lieutenant Colonel).

Additional Criteria for Serving Military Personnel

Serving Soldiers, Ratings, and Airmen applying for SSCC Course 50/2027 must meet the following additional requirements:

• Minimum of five (5) years of active service in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

• Valid military identification card and official sponsorship documentation for tertiary education where applicable.

• Formal letter of recommendation from their current Commanding Officer or Unit Commander.

• Clean military disciplinary record.

Required Documents for Upload

During the online application, clear and valid scanned copies of the following documents must be uploaded to the portal:

1. Passport photograph (recent, plain background).

2. Educational credentials (Degree/HND certificates & statement of results).

3. NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate.

4. Certificate of State of Origin.

5. Birth Certificate (issued by NPC/Hospital/LGA) or Sworn Age Declaration.

6. National Identification Number (NIN) Slip.

7. Bank Verification Number (BVN) Slip.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

1. Visit the official career page at recruitment.army.mil.ng and select SSCC Course 50/2027.

2. Read the conditions of entry thoroughly and click Apply Now.

3. Select your current status (Civilian or Serving Military Personnel).

4. Enter a functional email address to generate an account setup request.

5. Access your email, click the verification link, and create a secure password.

6. Log into the application dashboard to complete the bio-data and academic fields.

7. Upload all required documents and review your entries for accuracy.

8. Submit the application prior to the 17th October 2026 deadline.

9. Print the generated Photo-Slip and Attestation Form. Ensure page one of the application document is duly signed by your designated referee.

Conditions of Service & Commission Structure

• Tenure: Commission under the SSCC is granted for an initial period of 15 years. The first 10 years are served on the active list as a mandatory bonding period, renewable thereafter for a final 5-year period.

• Rank on Commission: Cadets who successfully complete training will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants, with seniority backdated to the date cadet training commenced.

• Conversion to Regular Commission: Conversion from Short Service Combatant Commission to Regular Combatant Commission (RCC) is not automatic; it remains subject to service vacancies, exemplary performance, and established military regulations.

Security Advisory & Anti-Fraud Notice

The Nigerian Army reiterates that the SSCC Course 50/2027 recruitment exercise is completely free. Applicants are advised never to pay money or offer inducements to any individual promising admission, placement, or assistance. All updates, shortlists, and interview schedules will be communicated exclusively through official Nigerian Army public channels and the verified recruitment portal.