The Nigerian Army has officially launched a major recruitment drive, calling on eligible citizens to apply for the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026. In a significant move for national service, the Army has declared the application process completely free of charge and open to all qualified Nigerians, both civilians and serving military personnel.
Application Portal Opens January 7, 2026
The recruitment window is set to run from Wednesday, January 7, 2026, until Wednesday, February 4, 2026. All interested candidates must submit their applications online through the official portal at recruitment.army.mil.ng. The Army's Military Secretary, in a statement released on Tuesday, January 6, emphasized the importance of applicants thoroughly reviewing the eligibility requirements before starting their application to avoid disqualification.
Who Can Apply? Key Eligibility Criteria
The Nigerian Army has outlined specific criteria that all applicants must satisfy. These include age limits, requisite educational qualifications, proof of medical fitness, and strong character references. The Army encourages applicants to have all necessary documents ready for upload, including birth certificates, educational certificates, and evidence of any professional qualifications.
The statement clearly noted, "Applications are free and open to all Nigerians who meet the requirements." This underscores the Army's commitment to a transparent and accessible recruitment process. Applicants are also required to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) or Bank Verification Number (BVN) as part of the online process.
Wide Range of Professional Corps Available
This DSSC intake offers commissioning opportunities into several specialized corps within the Nigerian Army, catering to a diverse range of professionals. The open corps include:
- Engineers Corps
- Signals Corps
- Medical Corps
- Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps
- Education Corps
Professionals in allied medical fields such as pharmacy, nursing, and other specialties are also eligible, provided they hold current registration with their respective professional regulatory bodies. Specific academic benchmarks are in place; for instance, candidates for the Engineers and Signals corps must possess a minimum of a Second Class Upper degree or its HND equivalent in relevant engineering or technology disciplines. Applicants for the Education Corps need a BSc or BA in Education in approved fields.
Successful medical consultants will be commissioned directly with the rank of Major, while other officer cadets will be granted the rank of Lieutenant upon successful completion of their training.
Strictly Online Process and Final Instructions
The Nigerian Army has mandated a fully digital application process. Candidates without an existing account on the portal must register and will receive verification via email. The Army has warned that all information provided must be accurate, and failure to follow instructions could lead to automatic disqualification.
For further inquiries, prospective applicants can contact the Nigerian Army recruitment helpdesk at 08179269294 or 08109959294, available daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The statement concluded by reaffirming that "The Nigerian Army continues to uphold transparency and professionalism in all its recruitment exercises, ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible Nigerians."
In related news, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has also progressed with its own recruitment cycle, having published the list of shortlisted candidates for the DSSC 34/2025 selection interview. Those successful NAF candidates are scheduled to attend an enlistment interview at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna from January 12 to February 8, 2026.
