Nigerian Army Sets November 12 Deadline for SSC 49/2026 Application

The Nigerian Army has reminded the public that the online application for the Short Service Combatant Course (SSC) 49/2026 will officially close in one week. The deadline has been fixed for midnight on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, and interested applicants are urged to complete their submissions before the portal shuts down.

The registration, which opened on October 9, 2025, has so far attracted tens of thousands of qualified Nigerians from across the country. According to Colonel Aminu Bello, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the number of valid entries received this year is projected to surpass last year’s figure of 48,000.

The Short Service Combatant Course provides a direct entry route for civilians who wish to join the Nigerian Army as commissioned officers. Successful candidates will undergo a 44-week intensive military training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Jaji, Kaduna State. Upon completion, they will be commissioned as lieutenants and serve for an initial period of nine years, renewable for an additional three years.

Applicants are required to be Nigerian citizens aged 22 to 28 years, hold at least a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of second-class lower division, and meet the height requirements of 1.68 metres for males and 1.65 metres for females. Candidates must also be medically and physically fit and have no criminal record.

Colonel Bello disclosed that the army is seeking to recruit 3,800 new officers under this year’s SSC intake — an increase from 3,400 positions in the previous exercise. He explained that the expansion is part of the army’s plan to reinforce ongoing operations in the Northeast and Northwest, where troops are combating terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges.

To promote fairness and national inclusion, the Nigerian Army has maintained its policy of regional balance in recruitment. Under this arrangement, each senatorial district across the country is guaranteed representation, while 15 percent of available slots are reserved for female candidates.

The army’s online portal reportedly faced temporary downtime on November 3 due to high traffic but was restored within hours. Since then, it has continued to run smoothly. Applicants are advised to print their acknowledgment slips after submission, as the slips serve as their invitation for the next stage of screening.

The nationwide screening exercise will begin on November 24, 2025, at 14 designated centres. It will involve physical fitness tests, document verification, and comprehensive medical examinations.

Colonel Bello urged all applicants to avoid waiting until the last day, warning that the portal will automatically close once the server clock hits midnight on the deadline date. He also reminded Nigerians that the entire recruitment process is free of charge, and anyone demanding payment for assistance should be reported.

For inquiries, candidates may contact the Nigerian Army via its official helplines — 0817 926 9294 and 0810 995 9294 — between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.