There is no specific category to join the Nigerian army. There are only laid down requirements. This article will inform you about what the Nigerian military represents and the requirements.

About the Nigeria Army

According to the Nigerian army website, The dates back to the year 1863. Lieutenant Glover of the Royal Navy had selected 18 indigenes from the Northern part of Nigeria to form the “Glover Hausas” Their duties were to mount a Punitive Expedition and protect the British trade route around Lagos. In 1865, They were given the household name” Lagos Constabulary” but in 1901, their name was changed to “ Lagos Battalion” and by the end of the same year they had included all paramilitary units in the British dependencies into their command fully establishing themselves as the West African frontier force(WAFF). The merging of all units in each dependency, into the regiments, produced the Northern and Southern Nigerian regiments.

These regiments were later used for operations during the conquest of Nigeria by Lord Lugard between 1901-1903.

The Northern Nigerian regiments became the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Nigerian regiment, while the Southern Nigerian Regiments became the 3rd and 4th battalions of the Nigerian Regiments.

In 1956, during Queen Elizabeth of Britain’s visit to Nigeria, The Nigerian regiments were renamed Queen’s Own regiments (QONR), and WAFF was shared into regions, and each military force became independent. Due to the regionalization, QONR became the Nigerian Military Force(NMF).

In the year 1960, when Nigeria gained her independence, the NMF became the Royal Nigerian Army(RNA). The same after Nigeria became a republic, the RNA is now known as it is called today the Nigerian Army. Their Uniform, instruments, and rank structure was changed to new ones.

The Nigerian army has its headquarters in Abuja and its motto reads” Victory is from God alone”. Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja is the current and 23rd chief of Army staff. He assumes his position on the 19th of June 2023.

Departments in the Nigerian Army

Various departments are working together in the Nigerian army to protect its citizens. Not all Army necessarily goes to the battlefield. Here are 10 departments in the Nigerian army.

Department of Army administration
Department of Army Policy and Plans
Department of Special Services and Program
Army Transformation and Innovation Centre
Cyber warfare Command
Departments of Civil Military Affairs
Departments of Army Logistics
Warfare limited/ Guarantee
Directorate of Army Public Relations
Director of Army Training and Operations

The Nigerian Army Requirements

The Requirements for Joining the Nigerian Army include

Applicants must be single and Nigerian citizens by birth.
Applicants must possess a National Identity Card/NIN
You must be free of any criminal conviction by the court of law
Possess at least a minimum of 4 passes in not more than two sittings in WASCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB.
Be medically, physically, and psychologically fit following Nigerian Army Standards.
Applicants must not be less than 18 years old or more than 22 years old for non-trades men/women, while tradesmen/women must not be more than 26 years old. If you are applying as a tradesman/woman must also possess a Trade Test/City Guild Certificate.
Applicants must not be less than 1.68 meters and 1.65 meters tall for male and female candidates respectively
Applicant must have a valid birth certificate/age declaration endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital, or Local Government Council, and must possess a valid state of origin.

Registered Nurses and Midwives not above 30 years old may also apply.

Steps to Apply For The Nigerian Army Recruitment!

To apply to the Nigerian Army, here are the steps to follow:

Apply online at the recruitment portal http://recruitment.army.mil.ng.
Log on to the link above using your username and password.
Fill out the application form including the Guarantors form. Submit it, and print a copy.
All signed copies of the application and guarantor’s forms should be taken to the designated state recruitment centers.