The Nigerian Army has published the names of candidates who qualified for the 2026 Short Service Combatant Commission Course 49, confirming that the list is now available on its official recruitment portal at recruitment.army.mil.ng. The announcement marks the start of the next phase of screening for thousands of applicants seeking entry into the military’s fast-track combatant programme.
According to the Army, all shortlisted candidates are required to report to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Ribadu Campus (Old Site) in Kaduna State on December 1, 2025, where the Selection Board will carry out the next round of assessments. The directive places emphasis on strict compliance with arrival timelines to avoid disqualification.
Candidates have been strongly encouraged to travel to Kaduna on or before November 30 to ensure smooth movement into the academy. They must check in at the designated Selection Board venue between 6 am and 11 am on December 1. Officials noted that the early arrival window is designed to allow proper documentation, medical checks, fitness verification, and security profiling ahead of the more intensive stages of the screening process.
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The Short Service Combatant Course remains one of the most competitive entry routes into the Nigerian Army, drawing applicants from across the country. This year’s selection comes at a time when the military is expanding its ranks to respond more effectively to ongoing security challenges. The Army said all shortlisted candidates must follow the instructions provided on the recruitment portal and come prepared with the required documents and personal items listed on the official checklist.
Successful applicants will proceed through medical evaluations, aptitude tests, physical fitness trials, and board interviews. Those who meet the final standard will be commissioned into various combat and support roles in line with the Army’s manpower needs.
