NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY OPENS ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL FOR 78 REGULAR COURSE (2026/2027 ACADEMIC SESSION)

 The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, has officially commenced the sale of online application forms for admission into its 78 Regular Course for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The announcement was made today by the Registrar of the Academy, Brigadier General A.M. Tukur, on behalf of the Commandant, Major General J.O. Ochai. The 78 Regular Course will lead to the award of Bachelor’s degrees and commissioning as Second Lieutenants into the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force upon successful completion of the five-year programme (four years academic and one year military training).

Eligibility Criteria

Interested candidates must meet the following requirements:

Be Nigerian citizens by birth (as stipulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended).

Be male or female aged between 17 and 21 years as of August 2026 (born not earlier than August 21, 2005, and not later than August 21, 2009).

Possess a minimum of 5 credit passes at SSCE (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS, or NABTEB) in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics.

Have credit passes in relevant subjects for the chosen Faculty (Arts & Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, Management Sciences, or Military Science & Interdisciplinary Studies).

Be medically and physically fit and of good moral character.

Be at least 1.68 metres (male) or 1.65 metres (female) in height.

Must not be married or have any legal obligation to support a child or other dependents.

Application Period

The online application portal (www.nda.edu.ng and www.ndaapplications.net) opened on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, April 30, 2026.

Cost of Application

The application form is available at a non-refundable fee of Fifteen Thousand Naira (₦15,000.00) only, payable online through the REMITA platform.

Admission Process

Candidates are to purchase the application form online using their debit cards or through any commercial bank using the REMITA Retrieval Reference (RRR) code generated on the portal.

Complete the online application form and upload scanned copies of credentials (including JAMB 2026 result slip when released).

Only candidates who score a minimum of 210 (for Faculties of Arts & Social Sciences, Science, and Military Science & Interdisciplinary Studies) or 220 (for Faculty of Engineering) in the 2026 JAMB UTME will be considered for the NDA Screening Test.

The NDA Screening Test (computer-based) is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2026, at designated centres across the country.

Shortlisted candidates will proceed to the Armed Scare Selection Board (AFSB) interview phase.

Important Notes

The Academy will not accept any application submitted after the deadline.

Candidates awaiting results are not eligible.

Multiple applications by the same candidate will lead to automatic disqualification.

The NDA reserves the right to screen out any candidate who provides false information.

The Commandant, Major General J.O. Ochai, urged all eligible and interested Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity to serve the nation through a prestigious military and academic career. He assured applicants of a transparent and merit-based selection process.