Job Description
The Nigerian Army (NA) is inviting applications from eligible Nigerians for commission into the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) as officers.
The opportunity is open to qualified civilians and serving military personnel. Successful candidates will undergo military training and, upon successful completion, will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants.
SSCC officers will serve in the Nigerian Army’s Combat Arms and Combat Support Arms, including:
- Infantry
- Armour Corps
- Artillery
- Engineers
- Signals
- Intelligence Corps
Qualifications & Requirements
General Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Nigerian citizen by birth as defined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Be 23–27 years old as of January 10, 2027.
- Be medically, mentally, and physically fit according to Nigerian Army standards.
- Possess at least a First Degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division or an HND with a minimum of Lower Credit in Arts, Sciences, or Humanities from an accredited institution.
- Only tertiary academic qualifications obtained from 2018 to date will be considered.
- Have valid and accredited academic qualifications.
- Possess a valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, hospital, or Local Government Council, or a valid age declaration.
- Possess a valid certificate of state of origin.
- Have completed NYSC and possess an NYSC discharge certificate for civilian applicants. Serving military personnel should present an NYSC exemption certificate.
- Be at least 1.68 metres tall for males and 1.65 metres for females.
- Have no criminal conviction.
- Have no body inscriptions or tattoos.
- Be free from membership of any cult, secret society, or fraternity.
- Provide valid contact details for parents/guardians and next of kin.
- Be prepared to present original copies of educational certificates from primary through tertiary level.
Additional Requirements for Civilian Applicants
Civilian candidates must obtain a Letter of Attestation from their degree-awarding institution.
They must also obtain a character recommendation and attestation from at least two recognised referees, who may include:
- A Local Government Chairman or Secretary.
- An Armed Forces officer not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent.
- An Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent.
The referees must hail from the applicant’s state of origin, and passport photographs of the referees should be attached to the attestation letter.
Requirements for Serving Military Personnel
Serving military personnel must provide:
- Valid military identity cards.
- Letters of recommendation from their Commanding Officers/Commanders.
- Valid letters of official sponsorship from tertiary institutions.
- NYSC exemption certificate.
They must also have no outstanding disciplinary cases and must be endorsed by their Commanding Officers/Commanders.
Compulsory Documents to Upload
Applicants should prepare clear copies of the following documents:
- Primary School Certificate
- Secondary School Certificate
- First Degree Certificate
- NYSC Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- State of Origin Certificate
Conditions of Service
The Short Service Combatant Commission is granted for 15 years.
- The first 10 years are spent on the active list as the initial bonding period.
- The commission may subsequently be renewed for a period not exceeding 5 years.
- No extension is granted beyond 15 years except where conversion to a Regular Combatant Commission is applicable.
Officer cadets who successfully complete military training will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants, with seniority effective from the commencement of cadet training.
SSCC officers may apply for conversion to a Regular Combatant Commission. However, conversion is not automatic and depends on available vacancies and applicable criteria.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official Nigerian Army Short Service recruitment portal:
Apply Online – Nigerian Army Short Service Recruitment Portal
Applicants should ensure that all information provided is accurate and that the required documents are uploaded in the specified format.