NDA 78th Course Screening Opens 2026 – Application Deadline And Requirements

NDA 78th Course Screening – The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, has officially declared the commencement of the application process for its 78th Regular Course for the 2026 academic and military training year.

NDA 78th Course Screening online form is now accessible to interested applicants nationwide. The registration period begins on Friday, 28 November 2025, and remains open until 30 April 2026. This annual intake is one of the most competitive admission exercises in Nigeria, attracting thousands of aspiring young Nigerians who dream of building careers in the Armed Forces.

Unlike conventional universities, the NDA blends academic studies with rigorous military training, and only the most prepared candidates make it through the selection stages.

The NDA 78th Course Screening is open to both male and female Nigerians who meet the Academy’s eligibility criteria. Every cadet admitted into the Regular Course will receive full sponsorship from the Federal Government throughout their training years.

This includes tuition, accommodation, feeding, and all necessary learning and military materials. For many applicants, this financial support removes the burden of funding tertiary education, making the NDA one of the most valued training institutions in the country.

Students admitted into the Regular Course undergo a five-year integrated programme, combining military drills, leadership grooming, and university-level academic study.

Upon graduation from the Academy, each cadet earns a Bachelor’s degree, such as a BSc, BEng, or BA, depending on the selected field of study, and also receives a Presidential Commission into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The journey is demanding and transformative, but past cadets consistently describe the experience as one that instills confidence, discipline, loyalty, and a sense of national responsibility.

Table of Contents

NDA 78th Course Screening General Admission Requirements

Prospective applicants are expected to review the detailed course-by-course requirements listed on the official NDA website and application portal. Each programme has its own combination of subjects, degree pathways, and screening details.

Candidates interested in foreign languages such as French, Arabic, or Mandarin may have an advantage, although these skills are not mandatory. One of the key requirements is that all SSCE/NECO/GCE results used for the application must not be older than five years.

Older results will lead to automatic disqualification, so candidates must verify the year their certificates were obtained before proceeding with the form.

To be eligible for the NDA 78th Regular Course, applicants must satisfy all of the following conditions:

Medical and Physical Fitness: Applicants must be in excellent physical shape and medically fit according to approved military health standards. Good moral character is also a major requirement.
Marital Status and Family Obligations: Only unmarried individuals are allowed. Candidates must have no child and must not be responsible for the care of any dependent.
Proof of Origin: A valid and original Certificate of Indigeneship from a local government or state authority must be provided.
Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 17 years old, and not older than 21 years by August 2026. Age falsification is a serious offence and can lead to disqualification at any stage.
O’Level Result Standards: Prospective cadets must have a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in no more than two exam sittings.
JAMB UTME Participation: All applicants must register for the UTME, select the NDA as their first choice institution, and score at least the JAMB-approved national cut-off mark.
Height Requirements

There is a minimum height rule:

1.68 meters for males
1.65 meters for females

Language Advantage: Although not compulsory, knowledge of Arabic, French, or Mandarin provides an added advantage during screening and training.

For a complete breakdown of NDA 78th Course Screening requirements for each faculty and department, candidates should check the NDA Courses and Requirements page on the official portal.

Important Notes Every To Keep in Mind

Many candidates lose their chances due to small mistakes that could have been avoided. To prevent unnecessary disqualification, take note of the following:

Do not submit the form without your O’level results. Such applications are automatically rejected.
Candidates waiting for WAEC/NECO results are not eligible.
Your O’level certificate must not be more than five years old at the time of application.
The subjects you choose for the NDA Screening Test must correspond with the combinations listed on the portal.
A single mismatch, missing document, or incorrect subject combination may hinder your application even before the screening stage begins.

These rules may seem strict, but the Academy follows them to maintain fairness and uphold the quality of its training process.

NDA 78th Course Screening Step-By-Step Application Procedure

Applications are strictly online, and candidates must follow the instructions carefully. Below is the full process:

Step 1: Visit the Official Application Portal

Go to www.ndaapplications.net. On the homepage, select Purchase Access Code.

Step 2: Payment Through REMITA

The access code costs ₦7,000, and payment is made exclusively through REMITA. Ensure that the RRR code used for payment is generated from the NDA portal. Payments made outside the correct channel will be invalid.

Step 3: Fill Out the Online Application Form

After payment, return to the portal and log in using your Access Code. Complete all sections of the application form and recheck your details before submission.

Step 4: JAMB Registration Requirement

Candidates must apply to the NDA through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), choose the Academy as their first choice, and sit for the exam.

To stay updated, you may check the latest JAMB UTME guidelines.

Step 5: Upload Valid O’Level Results

Candidates must attach digital copies of their SSCE, NECO, or equivalent examination results. Any form submitted without these documents will be rejected.

Step 6: Submit and Print the Acknowledgement Slip

Once the form is completed, submit it online and print out the Acknowledgement Form. This document is very important and must be kept safe. Many candidates forget to download it and later face difficulty during screening.

NDA 78th Course Screening Requirements and Eligibility

Only candidates who meet the basic admission rules and achieve the required UTME score will be cleared to print their Screening Test Admission Card.

The cut-off scores are as follows:

Engineering faculties: Minimum UTME score of 210
All other faculties: Minimum score of 180

These benchmarks help determine who proceeds to the first phase of NDA’s screening process.

NDA 78th Course Screening Date & Mandatory Materials

The first stage of the selection process, the NDA Screening Test, is scheduled to hold on:

Saturday, 6th June 2026

Candidates sitting for the Screening Test must come with:

Their Acknowledgement Form
Screening Test Admission Card
JAMB result slip
Two postcard-sized photographs (3.5 x 5 inches)

The photos should clearly show the candidate from the chest upwards. On the back of each photograph, the following details must be written neatly:

Full name
Exam number
State of origin
Exam centre
Intended course
Signature

Only those who pass this first stage will be invited for the Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB), which is Phase Two of the admissions process. After the AFSB, the final list of successful candidates will be released.

Research Resources for Preparation

For NDA 78th Course Screening applicants who want structured practice, the Academy offers a Compendium of Past Questions and Answers. This booklet can be purchased directly from the NDA Registry.

While the compendium provides insight into the nature of questions, consistent reading and personal discipline are still required to stand out. Candidates who wish to track updates or request further assistance can visit the NDA official website or you can send emails to info@ndaapplications.net.

NDA 78th Course Screening Opens 2026 – Application Deadline And Requirements

NDA 78th Course Screening General Admission Requirements

Important Notes Every To Keep in Mind