University in Nigeria
Kaduna, Kaduna State
University profile
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is the Nigerian Armed Forces' officer-training university, located in Kaduna, Kaduna State. It was established on 5 February 1964 to meet the defence needs of independent Nigeria, and it describes itself as the premier institution for the training of officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces and as Africa's top military university. It is headed by the Commandant, who answers to the NDA Council chaired by the Minister of Defence; the Deputy Commandant also serves as Director of Studies. Its stated mission is to give each officer cadet the knowledge, skills and values required of a military officer through military, academic and character development.
Cadets on the Regular Course follow a five-year programme: four years of academic study leading to an honours degree (BSc, BEng or BA) and one year of full military training, with attachments to relevant military engineering departments for engineering cadets. Graduates receive a Presidential Commission into the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The cost of cadets' administration and logistics is borne by the Federal Government. Postgraduate programmes are open to both military personnel and civilians.
Academic work is organised in five faculties with twenty-one degree-awarding departments: Arts and Social Sciences (Defence and Security Studies, Geography, History and War Studies, Languages, Political Science, Psychology); Science (Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences, Physics); Engineering and Technology (Civil, Electrical and Electronic, Mechanical, Mechatronics); Management Sciences (Accounting, Economics, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management Studies); and Military Science and Interdisciplinary Studies (Computer Science, Cyber Security, Intelligence and Security Studies, Military Science). A Directorate of General Studies coordinates the NUC-mandated GST courses taken by all cadets. The Faculty of Engineering programmes are accredited by COREN and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The School of Postgraduate Studies offers Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and doctoral degrees, with 175 programmes spread across the five faculties, and is based on the Ribadu Campus. Research is supported by the Centre for Defence Studies and Documentation, the Centre for Critical Thinking, Teaching and Learning, the Research Methodology Office and the Directorate of Linkages and Collaboration.
Student support includes the Academy Library, the 90-bed NDA Hospital, e-learning and student portals, and a Directorate of ICT. Admission is open to male and female Nigerian citizens; candidates must apply through JAMB (UTME) and the Academy's own screening and Armed Forces Selection Board process.
Regular Course cadets are trained at the cost of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which bears their administration and logistics.
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View scholarships for Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna →Admission to the 78th Regular Course (2026/2027 session) is open to single male and female Nigerians, at least 17 and not more than 21 years old as of August 2026, medically and physically fit, of good moral character, with no legal obligation to support any child or other person. Candidates need a Certificate of Indigeneship and minimum heights of 1.68 m (males) and 1.65 m (females). Knowledge of French, Arabic or Mandarin is an added advantage.
Five credits at GCE, SSCE (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS, NABTEB) in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics plus three subjects relevant to the intended programme. Results must be not more than five years old, and candidates awaiting results are not eligible. Each programme has its own compulsory and relevant subjects and UTME combination; for example BSc Computer Science needs English, Physics and Mathematics credits with UTME Mathematics, Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Economics or Geography, while BEng programmes need English, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics credits with UTME Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Applicants must sit the JAMB UTME and select NDA as first choice. Only candidates with a UTME score of at least 210 for Engineering courses and 180 for other faculties can print the screening test card. The NDA Screening Test (Phase One of the post-UTME) is followed by the Armed Forces Selection Board (Phase Two) for successful candidates. For the 78th Course the screening test held on 20 June 2026, the AFSB ran from 4 July to 19 August 2026, and successful candidates reported on 12 September 2026. Screening is in Use of English plus three subjects set by faculty and course (for example, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for Science and Engineering).
Applications are made online at www.ndaapplications.net. The application fee is N7,000 paid through Remita using a payment RRR generated on the portal. Steps: create an account, pay, complete the application with a scanned SSCE/NECO result, submit, download the Acknowledgement and Local Government Attestation forms, and later choose a screening centre if shortlisted. Online applications for the 78th Course were open from 28 November 2025 to 30 April 2026.
Postgraduate programmes are open to military and civilian applicants through spgs.nda.edu.ng (payment by card or bank transfer; two referees and O-Level verification details are required). In Engineering, Masters entry requires at least a Second Class Lower degree, or an HND with a Postgraduate Diploma; doctoral entry requires a Masters degree with at least 3.5 on a 5.0 scale; a Postgraduate Diploma requires a first degree (Third Class) or an HND with lower credit in a relevant discipline.
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