The Nigerian Army has officially opened the online application portal for the Direct Short Service Commission Course 28/2024, welcoming eligible candidates to apply from January 19, 2024, to February 23, 2024.
The Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) is an opportunity for both civilians and serving military personnel to commission into the Nigerian Army (NA). The Army emphasized that serving military personnel sponsored to civil institutions by any of the Services of the Nigerian Armed Forces would be considered for this course.
The announcement, shared on various platforms including X, highlighted that the application process is free of charge.
Applicants must meet specific entry requirements, including being Nigerian citizens within the age range of 20 to 30 years.
Medical consultants have a slightly extended age limit, ranging from 25 to 40 years by April 2024. Additionally, all applicants must adhere to the medical, mental, and physical fitness standards set by the Nigerian Army.
A crucial aspect of the application process is the recommendation and attestation of good character by at least two recognizable referees.
Referees should be either a Local Government Chairman/Secretary, an officer of the Armed Forces not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, or an Assistant Commissioner of Police and above, hailing from the applicant’s state of origin.
Other requirements include a letter of attestation from former institutions, a minimum height requirement (1.68m for males, 1.65m for females), a clean legal record, and educational qualifications of at least a first degree with not less than Second Class Lower Division or HND with not less than Lower Credit.
Applicants are also required to provide valid documentation, including a birth certificate, certificate of state of origin, NYSC discharge certificate, or valid exemption certificate. Professional qualifications must be duly registered by relevant regulating bodies recognized by Nigerian Laws.
Notably, only post-secondary academic credentials obtained from 2014 onwards will be considered. Candidates must provide valid contact addresses and telephone numbers of parents/guardians and Next of Kin.
Furthermore, candidates are expected not to have any bodily inscriptions or tattoos, and they must present all original copies of educational certificates during the application process.
Service personnel applying are required to present valid military identity cards and letters of recommendation from their Commanding Officers/Commanders. They must also have served for a period of not less than 5 years. An intriguing detail is that candidates with the ability to swim will have an added advantage.
The Nigerian Army urges interested individuals to visit http://recruitment.army.mil.ng to submit their applications online before the deadline on February 23, 2024.