Nigerian Army Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027 Recruitment
The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027.
The recruitment is open to suitably qualified Nigerian civilians as well as serving military personnel who meet the prescribed requirements.
The SSCC provides an opportunity for qualified applicants to undergo military training and become commissioned officers in the Nigerian Army. Candidates who successfully complete the training will be commissioned with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
The application is completely free. Applicants should ensure they meet all requirements and provide accurate information, as incomplete or false applications can lead to disqualification.
About the SSCC Course 50/2027
The Short Service Combatant Commission is an officer commissioning route into the Nigerian Army.
According to the recruitment notice, officers commissioned through SSCC Course 50/2027 will serve only in the Combat Arms and Combat Support Arms of the Nigerian Army.
These include:
- Infantry
- Armour Corps
- Artillery
- Engineers
- Signals
- Intelligence Corps
Both civilians and serving members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the appropriate qualifications can apply.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must satisfy the following general conditions:
- Be a Nigerian citizen by birth as defined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Be male or female.
- Be between 23 and 27 years old by 10 January 2027.
- Be medically, mentally and physically fit according to Nigerian Army standards.
- Possess the required academic qualifications from an accredited institution.
- Meet the Nigerian Army’s character and disciplinary requirements.
- Meet the stipulated minimum height requirement.
- Have the appropriate NYSC documentation where applicable.
- Possess the required identification, academic and supporting documents.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must possess at least:
- A first degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division; or
- An HND with a minimum of Lower Credit.
Qualifications may be in the arts, sciences or humanities and must have been obtained from an accredited university or institution of higher learning.
The course of study must also have been accredited at the time the applicant studied at the institution.
Importantly, only tertiary academic credentials obtained from 2018 to date will be considered for this recruitment exercise.
Age Requirements
Applicants must be:
- Minimum age: 23 years
- Maximum age: 27 years
The age requirement applies as at 10 January 2027.
Height Requirements
Applicants must measure at least:
- Male: 1.68 metres
- Female: 1.65 metres
Candidates must also satisfy the Nigerian Army’s medical, mental and physical fitness standards.
NYSC Requirements
For civilian applicants:
- NYSC discharge certificate is mandatory.
For serving military personnel:
- An NYSC exemption certificate is required as stated in the recruitment notice.
Applicants should ensure the appropriate certificate is available before completing their application.
Character and Conduct Requirements
Candidates must meet the Nigerian Army’s character and disciplinary standards.
Applicants:
- Must not have been convicted by any court of law.
- Must not have any body inscriptions or tattoos.
- Must not be members of any cult, secret society or fraternity.
- Must not have been dismissed or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any military or paramilitary training institution.
Serving military personnel must also not have disciplinary cases and must receive the necessary endorsement from their Commanding Officer or Commander.
Attestation Requirements for Civilian Applicants
Civilian applicants are required to be recommended and attested to for good character by at least two recognised referees.
The referees should either be:
- Local Government Chairman/Secretary; or
- An officer of the Armed Forces not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent; or
- An Assistant Commissioner of Police or above.
The relevant referee must hail from the applicant’s state of origin, and passport photographs of the referees must be attached to the letter of attestation.
Candidates must also submit a Letter of Attestation from the degree-awarding institution they attended.
Required Identification Documents
Applicants should possess:
- Valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, hospital or Local Government Council, or a valid age declaration.
- Valid certificate of state of origin.
- NYSC discharge certificate for civilian applicants.
- Appropriate NYSC exemption documentation for serving military personnel.
- Valid contact addresses and telephone numbers for parents/guardians and next of kin.
Applicants will also be required to present original copies of their educational certificates from primary through tertiary level.
Additional Requirements for Serving Military Personnel
Serving personnel must:
- Present valid military identity cards.
- Provide letters of recommendation from their Commanding Officers/Commanders.
- Present valid letters of official sponsorship for their tertiary academic studies.
- Have served for a minimum of five years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
- Declare their service status during the application process.
Failure by serving personnel to declare their service status constitutes an offence and can result in disqualification at any stage.
Documents to Upload During Application
Applicants should prepare the following for the online application:
- Recent passport photograph
- Educational certificates for the qualifications declared
- Certificate of state of origin
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- NIN slip
- BVN slip
Applicants should also ensure that any additional attestation, recommendation and service-related documents applicable to their category are available.
Selection and Commissioning
Successful applicants will undergo Nigerian Army military training.
Officer cadets who successfully complete the training will be granted the rank of Second Lieutenant, with seniority taking effect from the date of commencement of cadet training.
Graduating officer cadets are required to accept the terms and conditions governing the SSCC before being granted a commission into the Nigerian Army.
Conditions of Service
The SSCC is granted for a period of 15 years.
According to the recruitment notice:
- The first 10 years constitute the initial active-list bonding period.
- Service may subsequently be renewed for a period not exceeding five years.
- No extension will be granted after the fifteenth year of commissioned service, except where an officer converts to Regular Combatant Commission.
SSCC officers may have the opportunity to convert to Regular Combatant Commission, but conversion is not automatic. It depends on factors including available vacancies and other criteria in force at the relevant time.
Application Process
Applications are completed online and are free of charge.
Applicants should:
- Visit the Nigerian Army Short Service recruitment portal.
- Select the SSCC option.
- Read the conditions of entry for SSCC Course 50/2027.
- Select “Apply Now” for SSCC 50/2027.
- Indicate whether you are currently serving or have previously served in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
- Create an account using your email address.
- Verify your email through the verification link sent to you and create a password.
- Log in and complete the online application form.
- Upload all required documents.
- Review the information carefully before submitting the application.
Application Printout and Attestation
After completing the online application, applicants must print their system-generated photo slip.
The first page should be signed by a Registrar of any Court of Law.
The second page should be signed by either:
- The applicant’s Local Government Chairman/Secretary; or
- A military officer not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent who hails from the applicant’s state of origin.
Successful applicants will be required to present their printed application forms, including photo slips, guarantors’ forms and attestation forms, to the Selection Board during the interview.
Application Period
Application opens: Friday, 14 August 2026.
Deadline: Saturday, 17 October 2026.
Applicants are advised to complete their applications carefully and well before the deadline.
Application Fee
Application is free.
Applicants should be cautious of individuals or organisations demanding payment in exchange for recruitment forms, application processing or guaranteed selection.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the Nigerian Army Short Service recruitment portal:
Select the SSCC option and follow the instructions for Course 50/2027.
Nigerian Army Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027 Recruitment
The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027.
The recruitment is open to suitably qualified Nigerian civilians as well as serving military personnel who meet the prescribed requirements.
The SSCC provides an opportunity for qualified applicants to undergo military training and become commissioned officers in the Nigerian Army. Candidates who successfully complete the training will be commissioned with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
The application is completely free. Applicants should ensure they meet all requirements and provide accurate information, as incomplete or false applications can lead to disqualification.
About the SSCC Course 50/2027
The Short Service Combatant Commission is an officer commissioning route into the Nigerian Army.
According to the recruitment notice, officers commissioned through SSCC Course 50/2027 will serve only in the Combat Arms and Combat Support Arms of the Nigerian Army.
These include:
- Infantry
- Armour Corps
- Artillery
- Engineers
- Signals
- Intelligence Corps
Both civilians and serving members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the appropriate qualifications can apply.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must satisfy the following general conditions:
- Be a Nigerian citizen by birth as defined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Be male or female.
- Be between 23 and 27 years old by 10 January 2027.
- Be medically, mentally and physically fit according to Nigerian Army standards.
- Possess the required academic qualifications from an accredited institution.
- Meet the Nigerian Army’s character and disciplinary requirements.
- Meet the stipulated minimum height requirement.
- Have the appropriate NYSC documentation where applicable.
- Possess the required identification, academic and supporting documents.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must possess at least:
- A first degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division; or
- An HND with a minimum of Lower Credit.
Qualifications may be in the arts, sciences or humanities and must have been obtained from an accredited university or institution of higher learning.
The course of study must also have been accredited at the time the applicant studied at the institution.
Importantly, only tertiary academic credentials obtained from 2018 to date will be considered for this recruitment exercise.
Age Requirements
Applicants must be:
- Minimum age: 23 years
- Maximum age: 27 years
The age requirement applies as at 10 January 2027.
Height Requirements
Applicants must measure at least:
- Male: 1.68 metres
- Female: 1.65 metres
Candidates must also satisfy the Nigerian Army’s medical, mental and physical fitness standards.
NYSC Requirements
For civilian applicants:
- NYSC discharge certificate is mandatory.
For serving military personnel:
- An NYSC exemption certificate is required as stated in the recruitment notice.
Applicants should ensure the appropriate certificate is available before completing their application.
Character and Conduct Requirements
Candidates must meet the Nigerian Army’s character and disciplinary standards.
Applicants:
- Must not have been convicted by any court of law.
- Must not have any body inscriptions or tattoos.
- Must not be members of any cult, secret society or fraternity.
- Must not have been dismissed or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any military or paramilitary training institution.
Serving military personnel must also not have disciplinary cases and must receive the necessary endorsement from their Commanding Officer or Commander.
Attestation Requirements for Civilian Applicants
Civilian applicants are required to be recommended and attested to for good character by at least two recognised referees.
The referees should either be:
- Local Government Chairman/Secretary; or
- An officer of the Armed Forces not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent; or
- An Assistant Commissioner of Police or above.
The relevant referee must hail from the applicant’s state of origin, and passport photographs of the referees must be attached to the letter of attestation.
Candidates must also submit a Letter of Attestation from the degree-awarding institution they attended.
Required Identification Documents
Applicants should possess:
- Valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, hospital or Local Government Council, or a valid age declaration.
- Valid certificate of state of origin.
- NYSC discharge certificate for civilian applicants.
- Appropriate NYSC exemption documentation for serving military personnel.
- Valid contact addresses and telephone numbers for parents/guardians and next of kin.
Applicants will also be required to present original copies of their educational certificates from primary through tertiary level.
Additional Requirements for Serving Military Personnel
Serving personnel must:
- Present valid military identity cards.
- Provide letters of recommendation from their Commanding Officers/Commanders.
- Present valid letters of official sponsorship for their tertiary academic studies.
- Have served for a minimum of five years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
- Declare their service status during the application process.
Failure by serving personnel to declare their service status constitutes an offence and can result in disqualification at any stage.
Documents to Upload During Application
Applicants should prepare the following for the online application:
- Recent passport photograph
- Educational certificates for the qualifications declared
- Certificate of state of origin
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- NIN slip
- BVN slip
Applicants should also ensure that any additional attestation, recommendation and service-related documents applicable to their category are available.
Selection and Commissioning
Successful applicants will undergo Nigerian Army military training.
Officer cadets who successfully complete the training will be granted the rank of Second Lieutenant, with seniority taking effect from the date of commencement of cadet training.
Graduating officer cadets are required to accept the terms and conditions governing the SSCC before being granted a commission into the Nigerian Army.
Conditions of Service
The SSCC is granted for a period of 15 years.
According to the recruitment notice:
- The first 10 years constitute the initial active-list bonding period.
- Service may subsequently be renewed for a period not exceeding five years.
- No extension will be granted after the fifteenth year of commissioned service, except where an officer converts to Regular Combatant Commission.
SSCC officers may have the opportunity to convert to Regular Combatant Commission, but conversion is not automatic. It depends on factors including available vacancies and other criteria in force at the relevant time.
Application Process
Applications are completed online and are free of charge.
Applicants should:
- Visit the Nigerian Army Short Service recruitment portal.
- Select the SSCC option.
- Read the conditions of entry for SSCC Course 50/2027.
- Select “Apply Now” for SSCC 50/2027.
- Indicate whether you are currently serving or have previously served in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
- Create an account using your email address.
- Verify your email through the verification link sent to you and create a password.
- Log in and complete the online application form.
- Upload all required documents.
- Review the information carefully before submitting the application.
Application Printout and Attestation
After completing the online application, applicants must print their system-generated photo slip.
The first page should be signed by a Registrar of any Court of Law.
The second page should be signed by either:
- The applicant’s Local Government Chairman/Secretary; or
- A military officer not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent who hails from the applicant’s state of origin.
Successful applicants will be required to present their printed application forms, including photo slips, guarantors’ forms and attestation forms, to the Selection Board during the interview.
Application Period
Application opens: Friday, 14 August 2026.
Deadline: Saturday, 17 October 2026.
Applicants are advised to complete their applications carefully and well before the deadline.
Application Fee
Application is free.
Applicants should be cautious of individuals or organisations demanding payment in exchange for recruitment forms, application processing or guaranteed selection.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the Nigerian Army Short Service recruitment portal:
Select the SSCC option and follow the instructions for Course 50/2027.