The Nigerian Army has released the shortlist of candidates for its 2027 Short Service Combatant Commission recruitment exercise, moving applicants who participated in the recently concluded application process to the next stage of selection.
The announcement, made via Instagram, concerns the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027 Selection Board requirements, and shortlisted candidates are expected to participate in an exercise scheduled to hold between November 23 and December 11, 2026.
SEE SCREENSHOTS OF REQUIREMENTS BELOW
According to the Nigerian Army, candidates whose names appear on the shortlist are expected to report to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Ribadu Campus, Old Site, Kaduna State, from November 23 for the selection exercise.
In its announcement, the Army stated, “Shortlisted candidates have been directed to report to the Nigerian Defence Academy Ribadu Campus (Old Site) in Kaduna State starting on 23 November 2026.”
The Selection Board exercise will last for approximately three weeks, with December 11, 2026, fixed as the scheduled concluding date.
The development provides an important update for graduates and serving military personnel who applied for the opportunity to become commissioned officers in the Nigerian Army.
Explaining the scope of the recruitment programme, the Army stated, “The Selection Board exercise is scheduled to run from 23 November to 11 December 2026. The SSCC programme offers qualified Nigerian civilians and serving military personnel the opportunity to be commissioned as officers into the Combat Arms (Infantry and Armour) and Combat Support Arms (Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence).”
The recruitment covers two broad military categories: Combat Arms and Combat Support Arms. Combat Arms comprises Infantry and Armour, while the Combat Support Arms category includes Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence.
The Short Service Combatant Commission programme provides an opportunity for qualified Nigerian civilians and serving military personnel to pursue commissioned officer positions after meeting the required selection and military training conditions.
Unlike recruitment exercises designed to enlist soldiers into non-commissioned positions, the SSCC programme is specifically intended to bring qualified applicants into the officer cadre.
According to the Army’s announcement, candidates who successfully complete the required training can be commissioned as Second Lieutenants under a 15-year short service commission.
The military stated, “Successful candidates who complete training are typically commissioned as Second Lieutenants on a 15-year short service commission.”
However, appearing on the shortlist does not automatically mean that an applicant has secured a commission in the Nigerian Army. Shortlisted candidates must still participate in the Selection Board exercise and satisfy the requirements established for the recruitment process.
Applicants are therefore expected to check their names and carefully study the reporting instructions before travelling to the selection venue in Kaduna State.
The Nigerian Army has directed candidates and members of the public to obtain accurate recruitment information through its official website, stating, “For the most accurate and up-to-date information, candidates and the general public are directed solely to the official recruitment website: nashortservice.army.mil.ng.”
With the November 23 reporting date approaching, shortlisted candidates are expected to make the necessary preparations, ensure they understand the selection instructions and comply with the requirements provided by the Nigerian Army.
The release of the shortlist marks another stage in the recruitment process for SSCC Course 50/2027, as applicants await the outcome of the Selection Board exercise and the opportunity to proceed towards military training and eventual commissioning.
