The Nigerian Army says applications for the short-service combatant commission course will be open on August 5.

In a statement issued by the department of military secretary in Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja, eligible Nigerians are advised to watch out for advertisements for the commencement of the short service combatant commission course on television and other broadcasting stations.

“Applications are invited from eligible Nigerians for commission into the Nigerian Army (NA) as short service combatant (SSC) commission officers,” the statement reads.

“The SSC application is open to both civilians and serving military personnel. Only serving military personnel sponsored by civil institutions by any of the services of the armed forces shall be considered.

“On completion of training and commissioned as officers, the SSC commission officers would serve in the combat arms (infantry and armour corps) and combat support arms (artillery engineers, signals, and intelligence corps) of the Nigerian army.”

ELIGIBILITY

The army said interested applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, as defined in the amended 1999 Constitution, and be aged 23 to 27 by January 2025.

Applicants are required to be mentally, medically, and physically fit according to the standards of the Nigerian Army.

The army said an individual is eligible if their character is vouched for by at least two known referees, who are either a local government official or an armed forces officer of the rank of lieutenant colonel and an assistant commissioner of police.

The military said the referees must be from the state of origin of the applicants, adding that passport photographs must be affixed to the letter of the attestation.

“Candidates must submit a letter of attestation from their former institutions. Measure in height at least 1.68 m (for male) and 1.65m (for female),” the army said.

“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.

“Passes 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 institution of learning.

“Courses of study must also be accredited at the time of study. Possess a valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, hospital, or local government council and a valid age declaration.

“Possess a valid certificate of state of origin. Applicants (other than serving members of the armed forces) must possess an NYSC discharge certificate or a valid certificate of exemption.

“Only post-secondary academic credentials obtained from year 2014 to date will be considered. Applicants must present valid contact addresses and telephone numbers of parents/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 post-secondary).

“Service personnel must present valid military identity cards and letters of recommendation 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 five years in the armed forces of Nigeria.

“All service personnel applicants are under obligation to declare their service status on application as required by harmonised 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.”

The army said candidates must not be members of any cult, secret society, or fraternity.

“Candidates must not have been dismissed or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any military or paramilitary training institutions,” the army added.

The army further said applications are to be made online free of charge from August 5 to September 15.

Interested candidates are to visit the Nigerian army webpage, recruitment.army.mil.ng and select the SSC option from the page to begin the application process.