NDA Admission Application Form for 78th Regular Course 2026. The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, has opened online applications for admission into the 78th Regular Course. The application window runs from Friday, 28 November 2025 to Wednesday, 30 April 2026. The admission is open to qualified Nigerian males and females who meet the prescribed requirements.
Successful candidates admitted into the Regular Course will undergo training entirely within the Academy. The Federal Government of Nigeria bears the full cost of training, administration, accommodation, and logistics. As a result, cadets do not pay tuition fees throughout the duration of their training.
The Regular Course combines military and academic training over a period of five years. Upon successful completion, cadets are awarded honours degrees (BSc, BEng, or BA, depending on discipline) and are granted a Presidential Commission into the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The programme is intensive and demanding, but it is structured to instil discipline, leadership, and professional competence from an early stage.
Admission Requirements
Comprehensive details on individual undergraduate programmes, eligibility criteria, subject combinations, and screening centres are available on the NDA website and application portal. While knowledge of French, Arabic, or Mandarin is not compulsory, it is considered an added advantage. O’Level results (SSCE, NECO, or equivalent) must not be more than five years old at the time of admission.
To be eligible for the 78th Regular Course, candidates must meet the following conditions:
- Be medically and physically fit and of good moral character
- Be single, male or female, with no legal obligation to support a child or dependent
- Present a valid Certificate of Indigeneship issued by a State or Local Government Authority
- Be at least 17 years old and not above 21 years by August 2026
- Possess a minimum of five (5) O’Level credit passes obtained at not more than two sittings, including:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Three other subjects relevant to the chosen course
- Have sat for the UTME and attained the approved JAMB national cut-off mark
- Meet the minimum height requirement:
- 1.68 metres for males
- 1.65 metres for females
- Background knowledge in French, Arabic, or Mandarin is an added advantage
Applicants are advised to consult the NDA Courses and Requirements section on the portal for course-specific details.
Important Notes for Applicants
Candidates should carefully note the following:
- Applications submitted without O’Level results will not be processed
- Awaiting result candidates are not eligible to apply
- Only O’Level results obtained within the last five years will be accepted
- UTME subject combinations for the NDA Screening Test must strictly match those listed on the application portal
- Failure to meet any of these conditions may lead to disqualification, regardless of performance in other areas
Method of Application
Interested applicants should proceed as follows:
- Visit the NDA application portal at www.ndaapplications.net
- Select Purchase Access Code
- Make payment of ₦7,000 via REMITA
- Only payments made with an RRR code generated directly from the portal will be recognised
- Complete the online application form carefully and follow all instructions provided
- Apply through JAMB, select Nigerian Defence Academy as first choice, and sit for the UTME
Applicants should refer to JAMB UTME updates for additional guidance.
After completing the application, candidates must submit the form online with scanned copies of SSCE, NECO, or equivalent results. Applicants are required to download and retain the Acknowledgement Form, as it will be needed at later stages of the process.
Screening Test Conditions
Only candidates who meet all admission requirements and score:
- 210 and above for Engineering programmes, or
- 180 and above for other faculties
in the UTME will be eligible to print the NDA Screening Test Admission Card and participate in the screening exercise.
Further details are available under the NDA Entrance Examination information section.
Screening Test Date and Requirements
The NDA Screening Test, which serves as Phase One of the Post-UTME, is scheduled to hold on:
Saturday, 6 June 2026
Candidates are required to come along with the following items:
- Acknowledgement Form
- Screening Test Admission Card
- JAMB Result Slip
- Two postcard-sized photographs (3.5 x 5 inches)
Each photograph must show the candidate from the chest upwards. On the reverse side of each photograph, candidates must clearly write:
- Full name
- Examination number
- State of origin
- Examination centre
- Chosen course
- Signature
Only candidates who successfully pass this stage will be invited for Phase Two, the Armed Forces Selection Board. Thereafter, the final list of admitted candidates will be published.
Reference Materials
The Academy provides a Compendium of Past Questions and Answers for interested applicants at a modest cost. This material can be obtained from the NDA Registry and is widely regarded as helpful for examination preparation when used consistently.
For further information and official updates, applicants are advised to visit the NDA official website or send enquiries to info@ndaapplications.net.
