NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
The public is advised to disregard any online application portals opened prior to this publication. Prospective applicants and the general public should watch out for jingles on television and radio stations following this announcement.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR SHORT SERVICE COMBATANT COMMISSION COURSE 49/2026
Applications are invited from eligible Nigerians to commission into the Nigerian Army as Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) officers.
The SSCC application is open to both civilians and serving military personnel with appropriate qualifications. Upon completion of training and commissioning, SSCC officers will serve only in the Combat Arms (Infantry and Armour Corps) and Combat Support Arms (Artillery, Engineer, Signals, and Intelligence Corps) of the Nigerian Army.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
- Be a citizen of Nigeria by birth, as defined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
- Be male or female, aged between 23 and 27 years by January 9, 2026.
- Be medically, mentally, and physically fit according to Nigerian Army standards.
- All applicants must be recommended and attested to their good character by at least two recognizable referees. These referees must be either a Local Government Chairman/Secretary or an officer of the Armed Forces not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent Assistant Commissioner of Police from the applicant’s state of origin. Passport photographs of referees must be attached to the letter of attestation.
- Candidates may submit a Letter of Attestation from degree-awarding institutions attended.
- Minimum height: 1.58 meters for males and 1.65 meters for females.
- Must not have been convicted by any court of law. Serving military personnel must have no disciplinary cases and must be recommended by their Commanding Officer/Commander.
- Possess at least a first degree with no less than Second Class Lower Division or ND with no less than Lower Credit in arts, sciences, or humanities from accredited universities or higher institutions. Courses of study must be accredited.
- Possess a valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, hospital, or Local Government Council.
- Possess a valid certificate of state of origin.
- Applicants (other than serving members of the Armed Forces) must possess NYSC discharge certificate or valid exemption certificate.
- Only tertiary academic credentials obtained from the year 2017 to date will be considered.
- Applicants must present valid contact addresses and telephone numbers.
- Candidates must not have any body inscriptions or tattoos.
- Candidates must submit all original copies of educational certificates (primary, secondary, tertiary).
- Service personnel must present valid military identity cards and letters of recommendation by their Commanding Officers/Commanders. They must have served a minimum of two years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
- Service personnel applicants must declare their service status as required by the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Failure to do so is an offense and will result in disqualification.
- Candidates must not be members of any cult or secret society/fraternity.
- Candidates must not have been dismissed or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any military or para-military training institutions.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
- SSCC will be granted for 15 years. Ten years will be on active list (initial bonding period), renewable thereafter for a period not exceeding 5 years. No pension shall be granted at the end of the 15 years except on conversion to Regular Combatant Commission where applicable.
- Officer cadets who successfully complete military training will be granted the rank of Second Lieutenant with seniority effective from the date of commencement of cadet training.
- SSCC officers have the privilege to convert to Regular Combatant Commission, but this is not automatic and depends on vacancy availability and other criteria.
- All graduating officer cadets must sign an acceptance of terms and conditions governing the SSCC before being commissioned.
- The reckonable period of service for civilians who become commissioned officers is based on the date of commencement of cadet training, while for military personnel applicants it is effective from the date of enlistment.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
- Applications are free of charge and open from Thursday, October 9 to Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
- Eligibility: The SSCC is open to the following people with appropriate qualifications:
- Soldiers/Ratings/Namen
- Civilians
How to Apply:
- Visit the Nigerian Army recruitment website at:
https://recruitment.army.mil.ng and choose the SSCC option. - You will be redirected to the page where you can read the conditions.
- Click on the “Apply Now” button for SSCC 49/2026 according to your qualification.
- Indicate whether you are serving or have served in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Choose the appropriate option and proceed. If you do not have an active account from previous applications, click “Sign Up” (a verification link will be sent to your email). Enter your login details and log in. Otherwise, log in with your existing details.
- Fill out the online form and upload the following required documents:
- Recent passport photograph
- Educational certificates (qualifications indicated)
- Certificate of state of origin
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- NYSC and BVN slips
- Print out your completed online application. The first page must be signed by the Registrar of your local government, while the second page must be signed by the applicant’s Chairman/Secretary or any military officer of the rank of Lieutenant or above from the applicant’s state of origin.
- Present printed application, guarantors’ attestations, and other forms at the Selection Board Interview.
CLOSING DATE
All applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, please call 08179269291 or 08509959294 between 0800 and 1800 hours daily.
Signed:
Military Secretary (Army)
Army Headquarters
Department of Military Service
Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro
