The Nigerian Army has officially opened applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027, inviting both civilians and serving military personnel to apply for commissioned officer roles. The application portal is open from Friday, August 14, 2026, until Saturday, October 17, 2026, and the process is entirely free of charge.
Eligibility Criteria for SSCC Course 50/2027
Applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth and aged between 23 and 27 as of January 10, 2027. They must be medically, mentally, and physically fit. Male applicants must be at least 1.68 metres tall, while female applicants must be at least 1.65 metres.
Academically, candidates need a minimum of a Second Class Lower division first degree or an HND with at least Lower Credit from an accredited institution, in any field of arts, sciences, or humanities. Only certificates obtained from 2018 onwards are accepted. Civilians must hold a valid NYSC discharge certificate, while serving military personnel must present an NYSC exemption certificate. Civilians also need letters of attestation from their degree-awarding institutions and recommendations from at least two recognised referees.
Application Process and Required Documents
To apply, candidates should visit the Nigerian Army recruitment portal, select the SSCC option, and click 'Apply Now' for Course 50/2027. After indicating their service status, applicants register with an email address, undergo a verification process, and complete the form. Required documents include a recent passport photograph, educational certificates, a certificate of state of origin, a birth certificate or age declaration, a NIN slip, and a BVN slip.
The Army warned the public to disregard any application portals or announcements that appeared before this official notice and urged candidates to rely only on information from official Nigerian Army channels.
Commission Terms and Conditions
Successful candidates will serve in Combat Arms, including the Infantry and Armour Corps, or in Combat Support Arms, such as Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence Corps. Officers commissioned through the SSCC programme will receive a 15-year commission, with the first 10 years as the initial binding period on the active list. The commission may be renewed for up to five additional years. Conversion to a Regular Combatant Commission is possible but not automatic, depending on vacancies and applicable criteria.
All applications must be submitted by Saturday, October 17, 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, via an official recruitment notice. The Army confirmed the process is entirely free of charge.
