Nigerian Army Opens 2026/2027 Short Service Combatant Commission Recruitment – Apply Now
The Nigerian Army has officially announced the commencement of applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027, inviting eligible Nigerians, including qualified civilians and serving military personnel, to apply for commission as officers in the Combat and Combat Support Arms of the service. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Army called on qualified citizens to seize this opportunity to serve their nation through the prestigious officer corps. The application portal is now open and will remain accessible until the deadline. Successful applicants who complete the required military training will be commissioned to serve in the Combat Arms, including the Infantry and Armour Corps, as well as Combat Support Arms such as the Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence Corps. The Nigerian Army has emphasised that the application process is completely free of charge, and members of the public are warned to disregard any individual or agent demanding payment for forms or assistance with the application.
The recruitment exercise opened on Friday, August 14, 2026, and will close on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Interested applicants must complete and submit their applications online before the deadline, as late submissions will not be accepted. The application portal can be accessed at nashortservice.army.mil.ng.
The programme is open to both civilians and serving military personnel who meet the specified requirements. To be eligible, applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth and must be between 23 and 27 years old as of January 10, 2027. They must be medically, mentally, and physically fit according to Nigerian Army standards. Male applicants must be at least 1.68 metres tall, while female applicants must be at least 1.65 metres tall. Applicants must not have been convicted by any court, belong to a cult or secret society, or have body inscriptions or tattoos. In terms of academic qualifications, applicants must possess at least a first degree with not less than Second Class Lower Division or an HND with not less than Lower Credit in the arts, sciences, or humanities from an accredited university or recognised institution of higher learning. The Army stated that only tertiary academic qualifications obtained from 2018 to date will be accepted. Civilian applicants must possess an NYSC discharge certificate, obtain letters of attestation from their degree-awarding institutions, and secure recommendations from at least two recognised referees who meet stipulated requirements.
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Serving members of the Armed Forces must meet additional criteria. They must have served for a minimum of five years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, present an NYSC exemption certificate in place of the discharge certificate, present a valid military identity card and letters of recommendation from their Commanding Officers or Commanders, and declare their service status honestly, as failure to do so constitutes an offence and could lead to disqualification.
Successful applicants who complete the required training and are commissioned will serve in the Nigerian Army’s Combat Arms, including the Infantry and Armour Corps, as well as Combat Support Arms such as the Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence Corps. These formations represent the backbone of the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities, offering officers a dynamic and fulfilling career in military service.
Interested and eligible applicants are required to follow specific steps to complete their application. They should visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal at nashortservice.army.mil.ng, select the SSCC option for Course 50/2027, click on “Apply Now” and indicate whether they are serving or have previously served in the Armed Forces, register with an email address, and upon verification, create a password, log in, and complete the application form. During the application process, applicants will be required to upload a recent passport photograph, educational certificates, certificate of state of origin, birth certificate or age declaration, NIN slip, and BVN slip. After completing the online application, candidates must print their generated photo-slip. The first page must be signed by the Registrar of any Court of Law, while the second page must be signed by the applicant’s Local Government Chairman or Secretary, or a military officer of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent and above who hails from the applicant’s state of origin. Those shortlisted will be required to present these printed forms to the Selection Board during the interview.
The Army stated that successful SSCC officers would be granted a 15-year commission, with 10 years on the active list serving as the initial bonding period. The commission may subsequently be renewed for a period not exceeding five years. Successful cadets who complete training will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants. SSCC officers may also be considered for conversion to a Regular Combatant Commission, although the Army stressed that such conversion “is not automatic” and would depend on available vacancies and other applicable criteria.
The Nigerian Army has issued several important warnings to prospective applicants. The Army has previously warned the public against fraudulent recruitment advertisements circulating online. In July 2026, the Army disowned a fake SSCC Course 50/2027 recruitment advert, categorically stating that it was “false, fraudulent and did not emanate from the Nigerian Army.” The Army emphasised that no form is sold and no person or agent is authorised to facilitate recruitment or demand payment at any stage of the process. The Nigerian Army stressed that the application is completely free of charge, and applicants are warned against fraudsters who may demand payment for forms or assistance. The Army urged prospective applicants and members of the public to be cautious of fraudulent recruitment announcements and websites. The Army specifically advised the public to disregard any online application portal or recruitment announcement claiming to have opened before the official publication. Prospective applicants were advised to rely only on information released through official Nigerian Army channels and to watch for official recruitment jingles on television and radio stations. Applicants were also advised to ensure that all information supplied during the application process is accurate, as false or incomplete information could lead to disqualification.
For further enquiries, applicants may contact the Nigerian Army recruitment support lines between 8am and 6pm daily at 07016874003 and 07047340295.