The Nigerian Army has announced the opening of applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission Course 50/2027, warning prospective applicants against fake recruitment portals.
The Army made this known in its recruitment advertisement for the 50/2027 course, stating that applications would run from Friday, August 14 to Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The recruitment is open to qualified Nigerian civilians and serving military personnel seeking commission as Short Service Combatant Commission officers.
Successful candidates will serve in the Army’s Combat Arms, including the Infantry and Armour Corps, as well as Combat Support Arms covering Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence Corps.
A major condition for applicants is that they must be Nigerian citizens by birth and aged between 23 and 27 years as of January 10, 2027.
Applicants are also required to be medically, mentally and physically fit, while male candidates must be at least 1.68 metres tall and females 1.65 metres.
The Army said candidates must possess at least a first degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division or an HND with at least Lower Credit in relevant fields.
It also stated that “Only tertiary academic credentials obtained from Year 2018 to date will be considered.”
Civilian applicants are required to provide a valid NYSC discharge certificate, while serving military personnel must present an NYSC exemption certificate.
The recruitment notice further requires candidates to provide valid birth certificates or age declarations, certificates of state of origin, educational credentials, NIN and BVN slips, recent passport photographs and other specified documents.
Applicants must also have no criminal conviction, disciplinary record or tattoos, and must not belong to any cult, secret society or fraternity.
For serving military personnel, the Army requires valid military identity cards, recommendations from Commanding Officers or Commanders, official sponsorship letters for tertiary education and a minimum of five years’ service in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The commission will run for 15 years, comprising an initial 10-year active period, renewable for a period not exceeding five years. Officers who successfully complete military training will be commissioned as second lieutenants.
The Army said conversion from SSCC to Regular Combatant Commission is possible, but warned that it is not automatic and depends on available vacancies and other applicable criteria.
Applicants are required to apply “free of charge” through the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal and select the SSCC option. They will then follow the instructions to complete their applications and upload the required documents.
The Army also directed applicants to print their generated photo-slips after completing the process. Successful candidates will be required to present their application forms, guarantors’ forms and attestation documents before the Selection Board during the interview.
The closing date for the exercise is Saturday, October 17, 2026, and the Army urged applicants to complete their submissions accurately to avoid disqualification.
It warned members of the public to disregard recruitment portals or announcements purportedly opened before the official commencement date, stressing the need to rely on information released through official Nigerian Army channels.