The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has intensified its admission campaign for the 78 Regular Course, with the push for new cadets gaining unprecedented urgency following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency and a high-level shake-up in the military command.
The campaign, which officially commenced on November 28, 2025, and runs through April 30, 2026, is central to the government’s strategy to significantly bolster the numbers and quality of officers needed to confront the complex, technologically advanced threats posed by terrorists and bandits.
The NDA’s recruitment drive is directly aligned with the President’s recent directive for a massive, coordinated security recruitment effort, which also authorized the Nigerian Police Force and the Armed Forces to dramatically increase their personnel strength. The NDA is the primary institution responsible for grooming the nation’s future military leadership.
The new class of cadets will be trained to operate in an environment grappling with asymmetric conflict, hybrid warfare, and non-state actors using technology like drones (as seen in the recent Kogi attack) and advanced weaponry.
Analysts suggest that the 78th Regular Course will likely place a renewed emphasis on training in areas like cyber security, intelligence gathering, and unconventional warfare to prepare future officers for the complexities of modern terrorism.
The urgency to fill the ranks comes with a heightened call for the integrity of the recruitment process. Following a recent warning by lawmakers about the infiltration of criminals into security institutions, the NDA’s administration is under immense pressure to ensure transparency and uphold rigorous standards.
The NDA Registrar confirmed that applications are open to eligible male and female Nigerians who meet strict academic and physical requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
| Admission Course | 78 Regular Course |
| Eligibility | Male and Female Nigerians (Unmarried) |
| Age Limit | Typically 17 to 21 years old as of the date of entry (August 2026). |
| Academic | Minimum of 5 credits in SSCE/GCE (WAEC, NECO, etc.) at not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics. |
| UTME Score | Minimum score of 180 for Arts & Social Sciences and Science; 210 for Engineering courses. |
The Academy has sternly warned prospective candidates against using fraudulent agents, stressing that only applications submitted through the official portal will be considered.
The intensified NDA campaign highlights the dichotomy facing Nigeria’s defence establishment: the need for both quantity to cover vast ungoverned spaces and quality to defeat technologically sophisticated enemies.
TheLink News notes that the security shake-up provides a critical opportunity to re-professionalize the officer corps. The new cadets must be exposed to an intellectually demanding curriculum focused on modern warfare, critical thinking, and ethical conduct to restore public trust in the military.
The sheer size of the country and the multi-front nature of the conflict (North-West banditry, North-East insurgency, South-East secessionist movements) demand a sustainable pipeline of young, dedicated officers. The NDA is now the nation’s most crucial production line for future defence leadership.
The success of President Tinubu’s “security emergency” hinges heavily on the caliber of the officers produced by this 78th Regular Course.
