Nigerian Defence Academy admission, requirements, and application portal 2025/2026

Admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is very competitive. The NDA admits both males and females into the Regular Combatant Course each year. There are certain requirements for you to be eligible for entry. Here is all you need to know about the Nigerian Defence Academy's admission requirements.

Key takeaways

• Application Period: November 6, 2024, to April 30, 2025.
• Screening Test: May 24, 2025
• For registration, visit the NDA application portal and create an account.
• Knowledge of French, Arabic, or Mandarin is an added advantage.

Nigerian Defence Academy admission

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) was founded on the 5th of February, 1964, to train officers for the armed forces of Nigeria. The academy provides each officer cadet with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to meet a military officer's requirements in Nigeria.

How do I get an admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy?

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For you to be able to gain admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Regular Combatant Course programme, you must meet the following NDA requirements:

• You must be physically and medically fit with proof and have good moral character.
• You must be single without legal obligations to support another individual during your training.
• You must have a certificate of state of origin from your local government office or a certificate of state indigene from your state governor's office.
• The age for admission into the academy is between 17 and 21 years old at the time of admission.
• You must have completed your Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC or NECO) or a GCE O' Level with at least five credit passes in not more than two sittings. With a minimum of a credit pass in Mathematics and English Language.
• You need to have achieved a minimum national standard (as decided upon by the JAMB annual policy meeting) and passed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).
• You must have a height of 1.68 meters and above if you are a male applicant or 1.58 meters if you are a female.

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An important notification for applicants is that:

• Your application will not be accepted or processed if you submit your form without your O'Level result.
• Applicants awaiting results cannot apply.
• Only results that are a maximum of five years old from the date the examination was taken will be accepted.
• Admission into the Academy is for both male and female Nigerians only.

How do you register for NDA online?

Once you meet the requirements, you can open the NDA application portal and apply. Here is a simple guide to the seamless application process for admission to NDA.

1. Go to the official application portal.
2. Create an account by providing your name, email address, and phone number and creating your unique password.
3. Follow the instructions sent to your email to activate the account. Once activated, log in using your email and the password you created.
4. Navigate to the application portal, choose "Purchase Access Code", and pay N3,500.00 via REMITA Retrieval Reference (RRR). Ensure payments align with RRR codes generated from the application portal. Alternatively, copy the RRR and make the payment through a bank.
5. Continue with the application process by entering the required details.
6. Confirm that all the information is accurate and submit your application.
7. After submission, download your acknowledgement form.
8. If your application is shortlisted, choose an examination venue as required during the application process.

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Note: Only payments against RRR Codes generated via the application portal will be accepted.

Is Nigeria Defence Academy form out for 2025?

Yes, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has released the application form for the 77th Regular Course of the 2025/2026 academic session. The application period is from November 6, 2024, to April 30, 2025.

NDA 77 RC and 76 RC application forms

The 2025/2026 NDA 77 RC application form is currently available. The registration period is from November 6, 2024, to April 30, 2025. Candidates can apply via the NDA portal. The screening test is set for May 24, 2025.

Successful applicants who filled the 2024/2025 NDA 76 RC application form and got selected have already begun training at the NDA. Application for the 76th Regular Course is therefore unavailable.

Screening test date and requirements

The screening test, the first phase of the post-UTME screening, is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024. The following items are required of all qualified applicants:

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• Receipt document.
• Admission card for screening tests.
• Official JAMB result.
• Two images, no larger than 3.5 by 5 inches, in postcard format. The candidate's name, exam number, state, exam center, major, and signature must be included on the back of the photo, which should only show the chest.

Note: Please be informed that invitations to the Armed Forces selection board, which marks the second step of the screening process, will only be sent to candidates who have completed the NDA screening test. After this, the names of those who were accepted will be announced.

How much is the NDA form?

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) application form for the 2025/2026 academic session costs ₦7,000. Payment should be made through Remita using the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) code generated on the NDA application portal.

How much are NDA school fees?

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) does not charge school fees like regular universities because it is a military institution funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Instead, cadets receive free education, accommodation, feeding, and medical care throughout their training.

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However, there are some associated costs, such as:

• NDA Form: ₦7,000 (one-time application fee)
• Personal Expenses: Cadets may need to buy personal items, uniforms, and other essentials.
• Acceptance Fees: Some reports suggest a minor administrative charge for new cadets, but this is not an official tuition fee.

What are the course requirements for NDA?

The Nigerian Defence Academy has five faculties. These faculties offer different courses for both postgraduate and undergraduates. The general requirement for all the courses is a five-credit pass in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics. The available facilities include:

• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Art and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Management Science
• Faculty of Military Science

What is the process of NDA?

The NDA process begins with meeting all the requirements needed at the academy. You then make an online application and do a screening test to join the academy.

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Can I apply for NDA without JAMB?

The Nigerian Defence Academy requires you to write the JAMB UTME exam and score the national cut-off mark.

Can 21-year-olds apply for an NDA?

The age limit for applying to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is typically between 17 and 21 years at the time of application.

How can you pass the NDA screening?

The NDA screening involves written examinations that test your knowledge in mathematics, English, and general knowledge. Review your high school-level mathematics and English, and stay updated on current affairs for the general knowledge section.

How many uniforms does the NDA have?

The NDA school uniforms vary but are typically a combination of military-style clothing.

How much is an NDA uniform in Nigeria?

The NDA uniform is free. The Federal Government of Nigeria caters for the administrative and logistics expenses for training all regular course cadets at NDA.

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Are NDA cadets allowed to use laptops?

The academy provides an e-learning platform that allows cadets to access necessary information. Possessing a laptop is not a requirement for meeting their admission criteria.

How much is the NDA student's salary?

NDA students earn a salary once they have completed their course. Once done, they can work in the Nigerian Air Force, Army or Navy or work anywhere worldwide.

How many years does it take to study at the Nigeria Defence Academy?

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) training program lasts 5 years. In the first 4 years, Cadets undergo academic and military training and pursue a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field, where military drills, physical training, and leadership courses are included.

In the 5th year, intense military training at designated military institutions as they prepare for commissioning into the Nigerian Armed Forces. After completing the 5-year training, cadets graduate with a bachelor’s degree and receive a Presidential Commission as officers in the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force.

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The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) admission process for the 77th Regular Course (2025/2026) is now open. Applications began on November 6, 2024, and will close on April 30, 2025. Eligible candidates must be Nigerian citizens, aged 17 to 21 years, and possess a minimum of five O-level credits, including English and Mathematics.

Legit.ng recently published a list of courses Nnamdi Azikiwe University offers for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Nnamdi Azikiwe University is one of Nigeria's federal universities.

The university was established in 1991 when the old Anambra State was split into the Anambra and Enugu States. Nnamdi Azikiwe University offers a lot of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The university also offers part-time programmes.

Source: Legit.ng