Army SSCC 50/2027: What you need to know before applying

The Nigerian Army has commenced recruitment for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027, inviting qualified Nigerians and serving military personnel to apply for commission as officers.

The recruitment exercise opened on Friday, August 14, 2026, and will close on Saturday, October 17, 2026, according to a notice issued by the Nigerian Army.

Successful applicants will serve in the Combat Arms, including the Infantry and Armour Corps, as well as Combat Support Arms such as Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence Corps.

The application is open to both civilians and serving soldiers, ratings and airmen who meet the stipulated requirements.

Who can Apply?

Applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth and must be between 23 and 27 years old as of January 10, 2027.

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Candidates must also be medically, mentally and physically fit according to Nigerian Army standards.

Male applicants must be at least 1.68 metres tall, while female applicants must be at least 1.65 metres.

For academic qualifications, applicants must possess at least a first degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division or HND with at least Lower Credit in the arts, sciences or humanities from an accredited university or other recognised institution of higher learning.

The Army said only tertiary academic qualifications obtained from 2018 to date will be accepted.

Civilian applicants are required to possess an NYSC discharge certificate, while serving military personnel must present an NYSC exemption certificate.

Civilian applicants must also obtain letters of attestation from their degree-awarding institutions and recommendations from at least two recognised referees who meet the stipulated requirements.

Applicants must not have been convicted by any court, belong to any cult or secret society, or have body inscriptions or tattoos.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are required to visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal and select the SSCC option.

Applicants should select SSCC Course 50/2027, indicate whether they are serving or have previously served in the Armed Forces, and register with a valid email address.

A verification link will be sent to the registered email address. After verification, applicants can create a password, log in and complete the application form.

Required documents include:

• Recent passport photograph
• Educational certificates
• Certificate of State of Origin
• Birth certificate or age declaration
• NIN slip
• BVN slip

The Nigerian Army stressed that the application is free of charge.

It also warned prospective applicants against fraudulent recruitment platforms and announcements, urging members of the public to disregard any online application portal or recruitment announcement purportedly opened before the official publication.

How Long will the Commission Last?

According to the Army, successful SSCC officers will be granted a 15-year commission, with 10 years on the active list serving as the initial bonding period.

The commission may subsequently be renewed for a period not exceeding five years.

SSCC officers may also be considered for conversion to a Regular Combatant Commission, although the Army stressed that such conversion is not automatic and will depend on available vacancies and other applicable criteria.

The Army advised applicants to ensure that all information supplied during the application process is accurate, warning that false or incomplete information could lead to disqualification.

Application deadline: Saturday, October 17, 2026.