How to Become a Nigerian Navy and Army Officer 2023

Want to know how to join the Nigerian Navy or the Nigerian Army right away?

Do you have what it takes to join the Nigerian military as a naval or army officer?

If you answered yes, then this article will be an excellent resource for you as you work toward becoming a Navy officer or Army officer.

You will learn much about enlisting in the Nigerian Navy and Army here.

Essential details such as the recruiting process, required credentials, and screening activities are in this post.

Therefore, aspiring Navy and Army officers and interested candidates should adhere strictly to these guidelines for becoming a Nigerian Navy and Army Officer, as they will prove to be very useful in pursuing this goal.

Let me know in the comment if you have any questions. I will answer your query as soon as possible.

Also, I wish you success as you begin your career in the Nigerian Military and Navy.

Nigerian Armed Forces (the Army and the Navy)

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Nigeria’s Armed Forces consist of the Air Force, Navy, and Army, with the Army being the largest and most well-known of the three.

Its primary mission is to protect Nigeria’s borders and conduct ground combat operations only when necessary.

On the other hand, the Nigerian Navy is the branch of the Nigerian armed forces that protect the country’s maritime boundaries and carry out military operations at sea.

Every year, the commissioned and non-commissioned ranks of the armed forces actively look for recruits.

Officers can join the Nigerian Armed Forces after completing a standard term at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) or a Direct Short Service Commission, which lets graduates of traditional Nigerian colleges join as officers.

The Direct Short Service in Nigeria hires recent college graduates from the best schools in the country.

In this piece, we will explain the steps necessary to join the Nigerian military as an officer in either the Navy or the Army.

How to Join the Nigerian Army

man and woman looking at a laptop

Nigeria’s Direct Short Service recruits recent college grads from the country’s most prestigious educational institutions.

It is done via the purchase of forms and registration on the website, followed by the administration of examinations in the form of aptitude tests.

After that, those who made the cutoff are invited for screening, which includes tests of physical fitness, mental health, and other aspects of health to ensure that future officers are in excellent condition.

If you currently serve in the military and have been sponsored by the Nigerian Army to attend a traditional university, you are eligible to apply for this recruiting.

Requirements for Joining the Army

Female colleagues collaborating with a surface in a board

You must satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for direct short service recruitment:

  1. You must be a Nigerian citizen by birth. According to Nigerian law, this is a mandatory prerequisite. In the hierarchy of needs, this is the very first consideration.
  2. You must be between the ages of 22 and 35, except for medical consultants, who may be as old as 40.
  3. You need to be healthy in every way: physically, mentally, and medically. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate issued by a government-approved medical facility as proof of your health status.
  4. You will need to provide attestation letters from two credible individuals, such as a Lieutenant Colonel or higher in the armed forces. The applicant’s local government secretary or chairman may also be able to testify to the person’s good character. The people who will sign your letter of attestation must live in the state where you now live, and they must include a photocopy of their passport with their signed letter of attestation.
  5. You should also include a letter of recommendation from your college(s) of attendance or the college(s) whose certificates you present.
  6. To be eligible for direct short-service recruiting, males must be at least 1.68 meters and women at least 1.65 meters in height.
  7. You cannot have any military disciplinary record or criminal record from a court of law. You must get an attestation from your commanding officer if you are in the military.
  8. You must have graduated with at least a second-class lower degree or lower credit from an accredited polytechnic or university.
  9. You need a birth certificate validated by the National Population Commission, local government council, or an approved hospital. If you don’t have your birth certificate or weren’t recorded, you can show proof of your date of birth with an affidavit or declaration of age from a court of law.
  10. You must also submit a certificate of origin issued by your state.
  11. You must also provide your National Youth Service completion certificate or exemption letter.
  12. You will be required to submit proof of registration with a professional organization if you are a member of one; this organization must be recognized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  13. To complete the application process, you will need to provide your phone number and the phone numbers of your parents or legal guardian(s) and next of kin.
  14. An applicant cannot have any visible tattoos or inscriptions.
  15. You must produce the originals of all of your educational credentials.
  16. If you currently serve in the military, you must provide a letter of reference from your commanding officer and your military ID. Also required is a letter from the scholarship provider verifying your military sponsorship.
  17. You cannot belong to any secret society.

If your application is chosen for further consideration, you will be asked to take a written examination.

This exam consists only of multiple-choice questions, and one of the easiest ways to pass it is to review previous questions.

Suppose you do well on this test and make the cut. In that case, you will be asked to participate in an intense physical examination that includes activities such as running long distances and other challenging exercises meant to gauge your stress tolerance.

Next, you’ll have to go through a series of tests to figure out how healthy you are physically and mentally.

At the moment, you can’t apply online for graduate jobs in the Nigerian Army, but you will be able to once they start hiring again.

The Nigerian Army has a webpage at https://www.army.mil.ng/ where you can get additional information.

How to Join the Nigerian Navy

white cruise ship travelling in the sea

The Nigerian Navy protects the country’s waterways as the naval branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

To join the Navy, one can enrol in the non-commissioned cadre, attend the Nigerian Defence Academy, or enter directly after graduation with direct short service.

In this article, we will go through the direct short services so that college grads interested in becoming navy officers know what steps to take.

The Nigerian Navy’s NCOs undergo a rigorous six-month training program before officially joining the service.

If you want to join the Nigerian Navy and have an SSCE, BSC, NCE, or OND, you must first meet the Nigerian Navy Recruitment requirements.

Requirements for Joining the Nigerian Navy

Nigerian student studying

If you’re interested in applying to the Nigerian Navy, you’ll need to meet the following requirements.

  1. You must be a Nigerian citizen by birth. According to Nigerian law, this is a mandatory prerequisite. In the hierarchy of needs, this is the very first consideration.
  2. You need to be between the ages of 22 and 40. However, the exact age number varies from field to field.
  3. You need to be healthy in every way: physically, mentally, and medically. To apply, you must show proof of your health in the form of a medical certificate from a medical facility approved by the government.
  4. You will need two letters of attestation from respected members of society, such as a Navy Commander or higher in the armed forces. The attestation can also be written by the secretary or chairman of the local government to show that the applicant has a good reputation in the area. The people who will sign your letter of attestation must live in the state where you now live, and they must include a photocopy of their passport with their signed letter of attestation.
  5. You should also include a reference letter from your college(s) of attendance or the college(s) whose credentials you are submitting.
  6. To be eligible for direct short-service recruiting, males must be at least 1.68 meters, and women must be at least 1.65 meters in height.
  7. You cannot have any criminal history, including being convicted of a crime by a court of law or having been disciplined in the armed forces. You must get an attestation from your commanding officer if you are in the military.
  8. You must have graduated with at least a second-class lower degree or lower credit from an accredited polytechnic or university.
  9. You need a birth certificate validated by the National Population Commission, local government council, or an approved hospital. If you can’t find your birth certificate or your birth wasn’t recorded, you can submit an affidavit or declaration of age from a court of law.
  10. You must also submit a certificate of origin issued by your state.
  11. You must also provide proof of completing the National Youth Service or an exemption letter.
  12. You will need to provide proof of registration with a professional organization if you are a member of one; this organization must be recognized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  13. Your application will not be processed without a phone number for you, your parents, or a guardian who may speak on your behalf.
  14. An applicant cannot have any visible tattoos or inscriptions.
  15. All diplomas, degrees, and other academic credentials you’ve earned should be presented in original form.
  16. If you are already serving in the Navy, you must provide a letter of reference from your commanding officer and a copy of your current Naval ID card. If the Navy financed your education in any way, you must additionally provide a letter confirming receipt of the scholarship.
  17. You cannot belong to any secret society.

The same procedure is used to assess a person’s physical, mental, and medical fitness, except for the special training required for certain Navy positions.

Visit https://joinnigeriannavy.com/ for the Nigerian Navy’s recruitment website and application instructions.

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47 thoughts on “How to Become a Nigerian Navy and Army Officer 2023”

  1. I am a Nigerian young man.i have spent most of my life outside Nigeria. I hold a high technical diploma from Algeria in French, and my high school diploma from Sudan in Arabic. Other certificates from Saudi Arabia are also in Arabic. I would like to be an officer in the Nigerian army, air force, navy, or even DSS. Is that possible?

    Reply
  2. Good day sir.
    I’m about to graduate as food science technologist and I’m 25 , I want to fulfill my dream of becoming a naval officer with my Bcs …. will it be possible sir, most especially because of my course.

    Reply
  3. Good evening sir Blessing
    Please the only certificate I have right now is birth certificate,first school leaving certificate and SSCE
    If I want to join the navy please how do I go about it thanks

    Reply
    • Blessing,

      You are eligible to apply for the Nigerian Navy.

      Start the application process.

      Good luck to you.

      Let me know if you have any further questions.

      Reply
    • Hello Kennedy,

      It depends if you will be able to pass the eye test.

      If you wear glasses, I recommend you wear them for your recruitment.

      Reply
  4. 1.How long does it take to get shortlisted in Dssc or any paramilitary in Nigeria after applying.
    2.Will 2:2 stand a chance to get into Dssc, but I know the paramilitary will be easy for 2:2 grads but what about Dssc.
    3.What to do after being shortlisted (your personal advice) to be well equipt.

    Reply
    • Hello Mike,

      1. The shortlist can be out anytime from around three (3) weeks.

      2. Your chances with a 2:2 is slim. But it would be best if you gave it a shot, as no minimum academic requirement is stated in the application requirements.

      3. After getting shortlisted, the next step is to go for your medical check-up, exercise (mostly jogging), and get advice from those in the system.

      Let me know if you have any further questions.

      Reply
  5. I am currently studying philosophy in the seminary school, can I join the force now while I complete my philosophical studies

    Reply
  6. Is it possible one who is currently serving(NYSC), apply for the recruitment of the direct short service course?…..
    Can I present my Bsc certificate while waiting for my NYSC discharge

    Reply
  7. Assuming I studied law and I want to join the Navy, what is the best route of entering since, lawyers are not accepted through recruitment.

    Reply

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