How to Join Nigerian Defence Academy & Requirements (2023)

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) located in Kaduna state is the first and the most popular military university in Nigeria. It trains the officer corps of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.

nda

Unlike other conventional universities, the Nigerian Defence Academy also incorporates military training aside the academic training. This is to ensure their graduates are not only academically sound but also equipped with the required skills, military training and mindset to help in the smooth running of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The NDA was established in March 1964 as a reformation of the British run Royal Military Forces Training College (RMFTC), which had been renamed the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) on independence. The initial class was only 62 cadets, and trainers were mostly officers in the Indian Army. The NDA grew to an all Nigerian training staff only in 1978.

The school never took off as a university until in 1985 when it started offering undergraduate programs to military officers in training. Currently, it now has both MSc and PhD programs.

Duration of training at the Nigerian Defence Academy is 5 years, which include 4 years of academic studies and 1 year of military training. Some of the notable Alumni of the Nigerian Defence Academy among others includes:

  • Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, former Chief of Army Staff
  • Alexander Ogomudia, former Chief of Defence Staff & Chief of Army Staff
  • Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria and former Military Head of State
  • Azubuike Ihejirika, former Chief of Army Staff
  • Gideon Orkar, March 1990 coup leader
  • Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army
  • Maxwell Khobe, former ECOMOG Peacekeeping Force Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, Sierra Leone
  • Sultan Sa’adu Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto
  • Sambo Dasuki, National Security Adviser
  • Owoye Andrew Azazi, former Chief of Defence Staff & Chief of Army Staff
  • Victor Malu, former Chief of Army Staff
  • Oladipo Diya, former Chief of Defence Staff
  • Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy

How To Join The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)

Just like any other school, the Nigerian Defence Academy have it own application methodology and requirements. Fall short of expectations and weed yourself out automatically. Before discussing the steps to join the Nigerian Defence Academy, let take a look at the requirements.

Requirements For Joining NDA

It is important to note that the Nigerian Army accepts only male officer cadets. So females are only restricted to the Air Force and Navy. The NDA also does not accept awaiting results neither does it accept SSCE aged more than 5 years. Some of it requirements include:

  • Minimum of 5 credit passes at SSCE including mathematics and English language in not more than two sitting.
  • JAMB with a minimum of 180 and required subjects
  • Applicants must be between the age of 17 to 21.
  • Must not be less than 1.68 metres in height for male and 1.58 metres height for female.
  • Applicants must be physically and mentally fit
  • Applicants must have a good moral behavior
  • Must be single male or female without legal obligation to support any child or other individuals.

Application procedures

Application is done online and cost N3,500. To apply, visit https://rcapplications.nda.edu.ng/#auth/register and create an account.

After you’ve successfully created an account, you need to login and select “Pay Online”. Payment can be made either online via the portal or via REMITA Retrieval Reference RRR at any Nigerian bank of choice.

After the payment, you move straight to upload documents. Make sure you go along with the documents during screening for verification.

To be uploaded along with your other documents is the application form downloaded from the website. After you’ve done that, you move straight to downloading the Acknowledgment Form. After which you keep calm as your application is reviewed.

If you are found eligible, you are invited to the screening exercise.

Come along with their Acknowledgement Form, Screening Test Admission Card, JAMB result slip and two (2) postcard size (3.5 x 5 inches) photographs to the Screening Test Centre.

The photographs should show only from the chest upwards and should contain the candidate’s Name, Exam number. State, Exam Centre, Course of study and Signature at the back.

Only successful candidates at the NDA Screening Test will subsequently be invited for the Armed Forces Selection Board (phase 2 of the screening test) following which the list of admitted candidates will be published.

The Author

Chizoba Ikenwa

Chizoba is a seasoned Information blogger, content developer and the founder of Nigerian Infopedia. He is a tech enthusiast who loves reading, writing and research

43 Comments

Add a Comment
  1. Sir can one use a c in chemistry to apply?

  2. I am 15 can i get a formI am not a spammer

  3. Calistus Ifechukwu

    Please what is the requirements for nigerian defence academy
    All requirements
    From NDA
    Please help
    And state of idiginship certificate is it compulsory
    Please help.

    1. What is the cut off mark……..am I going to pay for tuition fees

  4. If the approve me will they require tuition fee

  5. Please is there something like cutoff marks for each course?

    1. It depends on the defence academy

      1. Sir is nevy form out for 2021

  6. Abdullahi Kabir dala

    Please what’s the jamb minimum results

  7. Please what is the age of the Nigeria defence academy on the category of air force

    1. Comment:between 17 to 18 years

  8. Please can one still apply for the form this year?

    1. Check out their Facebook, ithink admission is still on

  9. Afolarin Sakiru Olayemi

    Please when is 73RC form will comes out?

  10. I just have a few questions..
    1. The state they are asking for, is it your state of origin or the state you are in now (I meant the state which should be written at the back of the photograph).
    2. Does everything here applies to candidates who wants to join the Navy.
    3. If you’re not found eligible at first try, do you have to buy another application form.
    I guess that’s all..
    Please I will appreciate quick response.🙏🙏

    1. Hammed Motunrayo Mariam

      The state u are frm
      All forces army navy airforce
      As far u are still in the rang age u can try

  11. Onwuchekwa Nkechinyere Peace

    Can you apply when you’re in the university or when you’re done with the university

  12. Am 16 can I apply for it

    1. Owo AWAJIOKANUCHE TUGWELL

      No

  13. Can age 23 be considered?

  14. OLUGBEMI OLAMILEKAN

    Hi OLUGBEMI olamilekan I was interested to join this nda army stuff.

  15. Owo AWAJIOKANUCHE TUGWELL

    Am 17… Can I apply for it

  16. Taofeek ayomide faruk

    Comment:sir am in sss 2 and I like nda I want to become Nigeria army, sir this my WhatsApp number so yiu will explain to me better sir

  17. Being 21 before the school resumption,can I apply?

  18. Are ladies allowed to join the NDA?

  19. Please sir, is the form for NDA 2021 out yet???

  20. What is the total sum of the registration

  21. hello sir i have a big novel and i want to apply for NDA i dont know if my novel is going to be a hindrance for me

  22. Am interested in joining nda force

  23. Can I use waec result to apply for NDA sir

  24. Jeremiah Bassey

    Please can someone above the age of 21 apply for the NDA .. like from 24-25

    1. Reply this infopedia

  25. Please sir , when did nda form 2021/2022 out and what are the requirements

  26. Hello sir, I’m Michael by name
    I’m 17 year old can I apply for nda
    And can I apply for nda with WAEC
    Result or both jamb and waec result sir
    Pls I need answers sir
    And how many time do nda form come
    Out in a year
    You can explain to me better sir

  27. Please sir/ma is it that does who wrote Jamb the previous year can apply this year or how?
    Please Explain

  28. Ojo adewuyi Emmanuel

    Can a 22years old join NDA

  29. Ojo adewuyi Emmanuel

    Can someone that’s bend a bit join NDA,even though the person have a good sense at working.

  30. Please sir am in ss2 can I join the NDA I love be part of NDA

  31. Is the form combine with navy ND aiforce academy.or is it during training der will decide to share everyone to it different categories.i love to b a navy

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