How to join the Nigerian Army: Requirements, salary & more

While the Navy handles the waterways and the Airforce surveys the sky, the Nigerian Army is the land force of the Nigerian Armed Forces. In this post, we will discuss how to join the Nigerian army.

We will also talk about what the Nigerian army does, their military locations (barracks) within the country, requirements to join the Nigerian army, Nigeria Army salary and allowance, and lots more.

What is the Nigerian army, and what does it do?

The Nigerian Army is the land force of the Nigerian Armed Forces, headed and controlled by the Nigerian Army Council (NAC). The highest military rank in the Nigerian Army is the office of the Chief of Army Staff.

The army aims to train themselves, get deployed, fight and win Nigeria’s wars on behalf of the citizens. Being a soldier in Nigeria makes you very vital to the country because you’re a part of the service capable of defeating enemy land forces. It is widely regarded as an honour.

The Nigerian military locations (barracks) within the country

Here are some army barracks in Nigeria:

• Dodan Barracks (Lagos)
• Ikeja Barracks (Lagos)
• Ojo Barracks (Lagos)
• Ibagwa barracks (Akwa Ibom)
• Calabar Barracks (Cross River)
• Ribadu Cantonment (Kaduna)
• Adaka Boro Barracks (Elele)
• Giwa Barracks (Maiduguri)
• Maimalari Barracks (Maiduguri)
• Fort Nagwamatse (Kontagora)
• Obienu Barracks (Bauchi)
• Ejoor Barracks (Effurun)
• Camp Wu Bassey (Abuja)
• Fort IBB (formerly Fort Obasanjo) in Abuja
• Sani Abacha Barracks (Abuja)
• Yakubu Gowon Barracks (Abuja)
• Aguiyi-Ironsi Barracks (Abuja)
• Gado Nasko Barracks (Abuja)
• Mogadishu Barracks (Abuja)

How to join the Nigerian army as a graduate

You can join the Nigerian army as a graduate of a university or polytechnic. You will be applying through the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) or the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSC).

They are 6-month training programs being hosted by the Nigerian Army to admit new combatants and strong men who have graduated from higher institutions. Applicants must possess BSC or HND, alongside other requirements.

Eligibility requirements to join the Nigerian army as a graduate

You must:

1. Be a Nigerian as defined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
2. Be between the ages of 22 and 28 Years
3. Be medically and physically fit
4. Have a minimum height of 1.68m(Male) and 1.65m (female)
5. Must not have been convicted by any Court of Law
6. Possess a minimum of first of not less than second class lower division from a recognized university or HND from a recognized polytechnic and not less than lower credit
7. Have completed your NYSC Scheme or provided a letter of exemption
8. Possess your valid birth certificate endorsed by A hospital Court or National population commission
9. Have your certificate of State of Origin
10. Be recommended by at least two recognized referees who must attest to your character and Integrity

Application process

Note that the Nigerian Army application is a seasonal one. You will be informed by radio, TV, newspapers and the internet whenever it’s on.

To apply for it whenever the application is open, visit www.recruitment.army.mil.ng and click on DSSC and SSC.

How to join the Nigerian army as a recruit or through the Nigerian Defence Academy (for non-graduates)

If you don’t have a first degree or you recently finished secondary school, you can also join the Nigerian army. There are 2 ways in which you can do this:

1. Join the Nigerian Army as a recruit

This is for applicants that want to be Non-commissioned officers in the Nigerian Army. Your training program will take no longer than 6 months after which you will graduate and become a soldier in the Nigerian Army.

Eligibility requirements

You must:

1. Be a Nigerian by birth
2. Be physically and mentally fit
3. Have completed your secondary school education. You will need to upload your Waec, Neco or GCE certificate
4. Have your Letter of indigene from your state House or your local government certificate of origin
5. Not be a convict or ex-convict of a criminal case or related crimes
6. Have your primary and Secondary school certificate
7. Be within 18 to 22 years old
8. Have a height of not less than 1.65m and 1.56m for males and females respectively
9. Be present at the zonal screening Exercise at the designated zonal centre for your State. In some cases, it might not be in your state but another one that is nearby
10. Be able to provide your birth certificate and declaration of age from any Nigerian court

Application process to join the Nigerian Army as a recruit

Note that the Nigerian Army application is a seasonal one. You will be informed by radio, TV, newspapers and the internet whenever it’s on.

To apply for it whenever the application is open, visit www.recruitment.army.mil.ng and click on the second option that says: Regular Recruit Intake Application (Secondary School Certification Holders).

2. Join the Nigerian Army through the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)

In this case, you will spend 5 years in the academy while undergoing extensive academic and military training. After your graduation, you will be treated as superior to soldiers who joined as graduates and recruits.

Note that the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) application is a seasonal one. It happens every year and you will be informed by radio, TV, newspapers and the internet whenever it’s open.

To apply for it whenever the application is open, visit https://ndaapplications.net and read the instructions. In the meantime, you can visit NDA’s homepage and glance through their site.

How much is the Nigerian Army’s monthly salary?

Just like in other careers, the salary of the Nigerian army varies based on the rank of each soldier. Here are the monthly salaries of the Nigerian Army by rank:

1. Field Marshal (5 stars): N/a
2. General (4 stars): ₦1.500,000.00
3. Lieutenant General (3 stars): ₦1.000,000.00
4. Major General (2 stars): ₦950,000
5. Brigadier General (1 star): ₦750,000
6. Colonel: ₦550,000
7. Lieutenant Colonel: ₦350,000
8. Major: ₦300,000
9. Captain: ₦220,000
10. Lieutenant: ₦180,000
11. Second Lieutenant: ₦120,000
12. Master Warrant Officer: ₦90,000.00
13. Warrant Officer: ₦80,000
14. Staff Sergeant: ₦68,000
15. Sergeant: ₦63,000
16. Corporal: ₦58,000
17. Lance Corporal: ₦55,000
18. Private: ₦49,000
19. Recruit: ₦12,000 – ₦15,000

Kindly take note of the information below:

1. The last 8 ranks on the list are non-commissioned soldiers, while the ones above are commissioned. The former won’t receive any service bonus aside from their monthly salaries.

On the other hand, commissioned soldiers will earn bonus commissions and annual remuneration in addition to their monthly salaries.

2. There’s no salary information for the rank of Field Marshal in the Nigerian Army. This is because the position is unoccupied as of the moment of writing this article.

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