Nigerian Army Short Service Combatant Recruitment 2027

Suitably qualified Nigerians are invited to apply for the Nigerian Army Short Service Combatant Recruitment 2027 often referred to as Short Service Combatant Course 50/2027 which enables successful applicants to be commissioned into the Nigerian Army (NA) as Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Officers.

The Nigerian Army Short Service Combatant Recruitment is open to both civilians and serving military personnel with appropriate qualifications. On completion of training and when commissioned into the Nigerian Army (NA) as Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Officers, the SSCC officers would serve only in the Combat Arms (Infantry and Armour Corps) and Combat Support Arms (Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence Corps) of the NA.

SSCC will be granted for 15 years. Ten years will be on the active list (Initial bonding period) renewable thereafter for a period not more than 5 years. No extension shall be granted after the fifteenth year of commission except on conversion to regular combatant commission where applicable.

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Entry Requirements

All applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of Nigeria by birth as defined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
• Be a male or female between the age of 23 and 27 by 10 January 2027.
• Be medically, mentally and physically fit according to NA Standards.
• Civilian applicants must be recommended and attested to his/her good character by at least 2 recognizable referees who are either Local Government Chairman/Secretary or an officer of the Armed Forces not below the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel and equivalent/Assistant Commissioner of Police who must hail from the applicant’s state of origin. Passport photographs of referees must be affixed to the letter of attestation.
• Candidates must submit a Letter of Attestation from their degree awarding institutions attended.
• Measure in height at least 1.68m (for male) and 1.65m (for female).
• Must not have been convicted by any court of law. Military personnel must not have any disciplinary case and must be endorsed by the Commanding Officer/Commander.
• Possess at least a first degree with not less than Second Class Lower Division or HND of not less than Lower Credit in the arts, sciences or humanities from an accredited university or institution of higher learning. Courses of study must also be accredited at the time of study.
• Possess valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital or Local Government Council or valid age declaration.
• Possess a valid certificate of state of origin.
• NYSC discharge certificate is mandatory for all civilian applicants while serving military personnel are to present NYSC exemption certificate.
• Only tertiary academic credentials obtained from Year 2018 to date will be considered.
• Applicants must present valid contact addresses and telephone numbers of parent/guardians and Next of Kin.
• Candidates must not have any body inscriptions or tattoos.
• Candidates must tender all original copies of educational certificates (primary to tertiary).
• Service personnel must present valid military identity cards and letters of recommendations by their Commanding Officers/Commanders. They must also present valid letter(s) of official sponsorship in tertiary academic institutions. Additionally, they must have served for a minimum period of 5 years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. All Service personnel applicants are under obligation to declare their Service status on application as required by Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Failing to do so constitutes an offence in addition to disqualification at any stage.
• Candidates must not be members of any cult/secret society/fraternity.
• Candidates must not have been dismissed or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any military or para-military training institutions.

Method of Application

Applications are to be made online free of charge from Friday 14 August 2026. Applicants are to ensure they complete their applications accurately to avoid disqualification.

Visit the official NA recruitment webpage at: https://nashortservice.army.mil.ng and choose SSCC option. Follow the steps below:

1. You will be redirected to the page where you can read the condition of entry for SSCC Course 50/2027.
2. Click on the “Apply Now” button for SSCC 50/2027 to commence application.
3.  Next you will be prompted to indicate whether you are serving or have served in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Choose the appropriate option and proceed.
4. To sign up, enter your email address and a verification link will be sent to you to verify and set your password. After which you will be allowed to login with the email and set password.

Required Documents

1. Recent Passport photograph.
2. Educational certificates (of qualification indicated).
3. Certificate of state of origin.
4. Birth certificate or age declaration.
5. NIN and BVN slips..
6. Print Out. Applicants must print out their online generated photo-slip on completion of their application. The first page is to be signed by the Registrar of any Court of Law while the second page is to be signed by the applicants’ Local Government Chairman/Secretary or any military officer of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent and above who hails from an applicant’s state of origin. Successful applicants would present their printed application forms (photo-slips, guarantors form, attestation form etc) to the Selection Board during interview.

Application Deadline: October 17, 2026.

For More Information: Visit the Scholarship Website.