When is the Nigerian Army Recruitment Starting 2026/2027?

When is the Nigerian army recruitment starting for 2026/2027? This has been the most recent asked question by persons who have interest joining the Nigeria military. The latest update is that the Nigerian army have now open the 2026 recruitment portal.

This marks for the 91RRI recruitment exercise which comprises of tradesmen/women and non-tradesmen/women. The 91 regular recruit intake (91RRI) recruitment for the Nigerian army is starting on Sunday, March 30, 2026 and will close on Saturday, May 17, 2026.

Sequel to this, eligible and interested persons are to visit the official Nigerian army recruitment portal at recruitment.army.mil.ng to submit application within the given window.

Note: The application process to join the Nigerian Army is totally free of charge. As such, don’t pay anyone, group or organization to access the form.

Key Dates for Nigerian Army Recruitment 2026

Stage	Date
Application Portal Opens	March 30, 2026
Application Portal Closes	May 17, 2026
Shortlist Publication	After May 17, 2026 (check portal)
State Screening Exercise	June 9 – June 23, 2026

All screening shall takes place at designated military barracks and cantonments across all states of Nigeria as listed below.

Abia State	Cross River State
Adamawa State	Delta State
Akwa Ibom State	Ebonyi State
Anambra State	Edo State
Bauchi State	Ekiti State
Bayelsa State	Enugu State
Benue State	Gombe State
Borno State	Imo State
Jigawa State	Nasarawa State
Kaduna State	Niger State
Kano State	Ogun State
Katsina State	Ondo State
Kebbi State	Osun State
Kogi State	Oyo State
Kwara State	Plateau State
Lagos State	Rivers State
Sokoto State	Yobe State
Taraba State	Zamfara State

Eligibility Requirements to Join Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army set strict conditions for the 91RRI recruitment. Now that you know the recruitment is ongoing, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria below. Failure to adhere results to automatic disqualification.

• You must be a Nigerian citizen by birth. Candidates with dual citizenship are not eligible to apply.
• You must be single at the time of application. Pregnant women are not permitted to apply due to the nature of military training.
• Interested candidate must be medically, physically, and psychologically fit. Confirmation from a military or government hospital shall be required.
• You must have no criminal conviction from any court of law.
• You must not belong to any cult, secret society, or fraternity.
• Every applicant must have a valid National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN). Ensure your name and date of birth match your NIN and BVN data.
• Non-tradesmen/women: Between 18 and 22 years old
• Tradesmen/women: Must not be older than 26 years by June 30, 2026
• Male candidate height must be at least 1.68 metres
• Female candidate should be minimum of 1.58 metres

Educational Qualifications

The general educational qualification for 91RRi recruitment is that, applicants must have at least four credits in O’level, including English Language, in no more than two sittings. This could be

• WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examination)
• GCE (General Certificate of Education)
• NECO (National Examinations Council)
• NABTEB (National Business and Technical Examinations Board)
• NBAIS (National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies) etc.

In addition to the O’level, Tradesmen/women must possess a recognised trade or technical certificate relevant to their skill area (e.g., driving, electrical work, mechanics etc.).

How the Nigerian Army 91RRI Application Process Works

The entire application process for the Nigerian Army recruitment (91RRI) is online. It is free of charge and candidates shall not be required to submit hard copy application. Report any form of fraudulent activity to the appropriate quarters.

How to Apply for the Nigerian Army Recruitment 2026

Here is the step-by-step process on how to successfully submit application for the Nigerian Army (91RRI) recruitment exercise.

1. Begin by opening the official portal: https://recruitment.army.mil.ng
2. On the home page, click Regular Recruit Intake (RRI) 91RRI.
3. Carefully read through the application instructions and requirements
4. Click “Apply Now” and create an account using your active valid email address and preferred password
5. Check your mail (inbox/spam) for verification link
6. Log in to fill and complete the online 91RRI application form
7. We recommend you provide only accurate and verifiable data about yourself.
8. Clearly scan and upload required documents
9. Review your application and submit.
10. Print your Photo Card and Guarantor Form after submission.

After you print your guarantor form, endeavour to complete it as soon as possible because if you wait till shortlist, you might not have enough time before the screening date.

Related recruitment: NFSS Recruitment 2026/2027 How to Apply, Requirements & Application Portal

What Happens After You Apply

Immediately after the registration portal closes, the next step is that the Nigerian Army will release names of successful applicants for 91RRI recruitment.

By default, shortlisted candidates would get SMS or email notification. However, you can take the steps below to download the short online.

• Visit NA recruitment portal https://recruitment.army.mil.ng/drm
• Click on “Shortlisted Candidates”
• Select your state and download the PDF list

Physical Screening: June 9 – June 23, 2026

All shortlisted candidates shall be expected to report to the Army’s designated screening centre in their state of origin. Details about this schedule is also included in the shortlist.

Failing to join the screening exercise will disqualify you.

Important Credentials to Carry:

Don’t go empty handed to the screening venue, rather report with the following documents.

• WAEC/NECO/GCE/NABTEB result(s)
• Primary School Leaving Certificate
• Senior Secondary School Certificate
• Birth certificate or age declaration
• Certificate of State of Origin
• Your application acknowledgement slip / printed Photo Card
• Completed Guarantor’s Form
• Two (2) recent passport photographs
• Writing materials etc.

Understand that all your documents shall be verified on the screening camp. Candidates who present forged or falsified documents shall face legal consequences.

Additional Tips

• No electronic or recording devices are allowed.
• Tattoos, piercings, or inscriptions on any part of the body (other than tribal marks) are not allowed.
• Multiple ear piercings for female candidates are not permitted.
• There will be no pre-selection Computer-Based Test (CBT).

What About Officer Recruitment in 2026?

The ongoing army recruitment is for 91RRI (soldiers), not commissioned officers. A separate recruitment is usually conducted for DSSC/SSCC.

• Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026 is mainly for graduates. The application portal was open from January 7 to February 4, 2026.
• Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 49/2026 is for civilians and serving military personnel aged 23–27. Applications began on October 9 till November 12, 2025, with the minimum age calculated as of January 9, 2026.

Application for DSSC/SSCC recruitment is most ideal for persons who possess a Bachelor’s degree of Higher National Diploma.

Why Should You Join the Nigerian Army?

Here ae some enlightening facts on why you should submit application for the 2026/2027 Nigerian Army recruitment exercise.

• Reviewed and competitive stable monthly income.
• It is government employment, which means there are other incentives, allowances and after service care.
• Provision for promotion which goes with increased benefits.
• A means to express patriotism.
• Societal respect and reference as a military officer.
• Pension scheme upon retirement
• Opportunities for further military education and specialised training, including courses outside Nigeria

I could not apply for the 91RRi recruitment 2026, what do I do?

If you were unable to submit application for the 2026 Nigerian Army 91RRI recruitment which was closed on May 17, 2026, then you have to wait for the 92RRI batch. Dates for the 92RRI recruitment shall be communicated soon on the official Nigerian army recruitment portal.