Full Guide on How to Join National Defence Academy 2024

Full Guide on How to Join National Defence Academy

Accepting the National Defence Academy (NDA) is an esteemed opportunity that demands commitment, tenacity, and strong national pride.

Every facet of your preparation—from academic prowess to physical fitness—is crucial to getting into the National Defence Academy.

Being a member of the military services and wanting to serve your country is an aspiration that requires careful planning and steadfast dedication.

With the help of this thorough guide, which will take you step-by-step through the complex process of joining the NDA, you can confidently traverse this prestigious institution’s selection procedures.

This article provides a full guide on how to join the National Defence Academy, which involves writing exams, SSB interviews, physical testing, and other crucial factors required for success in your pursuit of entering the esteemed ranks of NDA cadets.

The table of contents below will guide you for easy navigation.

About The National Defence Academy (NDA) Nigeria

In response to Nigeria’s defense needs after gaining independence, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) was founded on February 5, 1964, to provide officer training for the country’s armed forces.

This establishment was once called the Royal Military Forces Training College (RMFTC). It changed its name to the Nigerian Military Training College in 1960 after gaining independence.

The Academy’s mission is to provide each officer cadet with the values, knowledge, and abilities needed to fulfill the demands of a military officer through character development, academics, and the military.

Essentially, the NDA is a facility where young, physically fit men and women are chosen and trained to become intelligent, brave, virtuous, and learned subalterns.

National Defence Academy (NDA) Nigeria Directorate

The National Defence Academy (NDA) of Nigeria has 9 directorates. They include:

NDA Curriculum

The NDA curriculum incorporates leadership development, physical fitness, and intellectual studies with military training. To get ready for the demands of military service, cadets participate in demanding field exercises, leadership development programs, and military drills.

The academy also places a strong emphasis on teaching its cadets discipline, ethics, and patriotism as basic virtues.

After graduating, cadets take on leadership positions in defence and security activities around the nation after being commissioned as officers in their different branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The next generation of military leaders who can protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and advance regional peace and security are mostly developed by the NDA.

NDA Academic Programs

There are numerous academic programs available in a variety of subjects at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). The NDA, Nigeria’s top military training organization, offers cadets who want to join the Nigerian Armed Forces as officers a thorough education and training program.

The NDA offers undergraduate and graduate programs that are specifically designed to satisfy the requirements of the military and produce well-rounded officers who can handle the demands of contemporary leadership and battle.

The NDA’s academic program encompasses a wide range of topics, such as but not exclusive to:

School of Postgraduate Studies
Undergraduate Admission
Postgraduate Admission
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Art and Social Science
Faculty of Military Science
Faculty of Management Science

What Are the National Defence Academy Application Requirements?

One must fulfil certain eligibility requirements to join the Nigerian Defence Academy. You must be a Nigerian citizen.

Regarding Educational Qualifications, the ranks vary.

You have to have finished secondary school or an equivalent program.
In your O’Level results, you had to have received at least five credits, which must include English language and mathematics.
Additionally, you need to have completed at least two credits in biology, physics, or chemistry.

Level of Physical Fitness and Age Criteria

To get accepted into NDA, you have to be in good physical and mental health.
A military medical officer must examine you and certify that you are fit for duty.
You have to be a citizen of Nigeria.
You must be between 17 and 21 years old.
If you are a man, you must stand at least 1.68 meters tall; if you are a woman, you must stand at least 1.65 meters tall.

Guide on How to Join National Defence Academy

Applicants must adhere to a set of guidelines to be admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Nigeria. Here’s a detailed explanation of how to sign the NDA:

Step 1: Verify the Eligibility Requirements

Ensure you fulfil all qualifying requirements before applying to the National Defence Academy. These include requirements for age, married status, education level, nationality, and physical fitness.

Step 2: Use notifications to stay current

Keep an eye out for announcements on NDA exams and admissions by often visiting the official websites of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Important information, including exam dates, application deadlines, and eligibility requirements, are included in these alerts.

Step 3: Apply for the NDA Exam

Read the instructions and guidelines attentively when the announcement for the NDA examination is released.

Complete the online application form on the website within the allotted period. If appropriate, remit the application fee.

While applying for the NDA exam, choose Exam Centers. Choose your preferred examination centres from the options provided in the application form.

Then, download the admission card. Once the application process is complete, download the admit card from the official website. Note: The admit card contains important details such as exam date, time, and venue.

Step 4: Get Ready for the Written Test

Get ready for the written test. Papers on mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT) comprise the exam. To improve your preparation, use study resources, practice exams, and coaching if required.

Step 5: Attend The Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) Interview

If you are successful in the entrance examination, you will be invited to attend the Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) Interview. The interview is usually held at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

Step 6: Medical Examination

After the AFSB interview, you will undergo a medical examination to ensure that you are physically and mentally fit to be admitted to the NDA.

Step 8: Selection and Final Merit List

The candidate’s performance in the written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination is considered while creating the final merit list.

Admission to the National Defence Academy is extended to candidates who make the final merit list.

Step 9: Enroll in NDA Education

Candidates accept the admission offer and begin training at the National Defence Academy.

The NDA offers extensive and demanding training that covers military, academic, and physical components. Before going on to their respective service academies for additional pre-commissioning training, cadets must complete three years of training.

Method of Application

Interested candidates are advised to go online and complete the application on the websites indicated above. Please download and read carefully, the Instructions are provided on the website.

If you’re applying for NDA admission, you must also apply for JAMB, then choose NDA as your first choice institution.

After sitting for the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board exam, you can then proceed with the NDA application.

Note, application forms are to be submitted together with the scanned SSCE results online. On submission of the online application, candidates are to download an acknowledgement Form.

How to Fill up Your Application Online

Here are the application procedures to following:

Create an account

To register, click this link or follow it: https://spgs.nda.edu.ng/register.
Enter your name, email address, and password.
To activate your account, check your email inbox and click the verification link that was issued to you.
Note: Until your email has been verified, you will not be able to continue.

Complete the payment.

Enter your email address and password from step 1 to access your application site here.
Select “Payments”
After that, you’ll be taken to the payment page to complete your transaction.
Finish the payment process by selecting one of the various payment methods, such as “Card” or “Bank Transfer.”
You will be returned to the portal after being redirected from the payment page.
After being routed, click on payment once more to view your receipt.

Make Profile Updates

Enter your email address and password to access your application site;
Click on “profile”;
Next, click “Bio-data”
Provide your “date of birth,” “phone number,” “gender,” “marital status,” and attach a photo from your passport.
Select “Submit Biodata”;
Select “Contact Details” next. Provide your permanent home address and contact information in
Then, click “Save Contact details.”
Select “Update Personal details.”
Provide your full name, nationality, state, local government, and hometown.
Finally, Select “Save Personal Details”.

Select the Program of Your Choice

Click this link to view the available courses.
Enter your email address and password to access your application site. (c) Select “Academics.”
After that, select “Select Programme.”
Choose a department, program, and faculty member.
Choose the relevant service record (this section is only for active military personnel; disregard if you do not have one).
Select “Save Program Information.”

Give information about O’level results.

Select “Academics”
Select “Add O’level Result.”
Choose “Examination Year,” “Examination Body,” and “Examination Type.”
Select “first” or “second” seating. (Note: There is a two-sit upload limit.)
Give your math and English language arts grades.
List the grades for three other related subjects.
To upload your second sitting, repeat steps (b) through (g) above and click “submit O level result.” (Remember to select the second sitting.)

Include Cards for O-Level Verification

After uploading a sitting, you must upload an O Level verification card.
Select “Academics.”
Select “Add Verification Cards.”
Indicate the exam specifics, card pin, and card serial number; (e) select the “first” or “second” sitting.
Select “Submit Verification Card”.
For the “second” sitting, proceed as described above.

Include Referees

At least two referees are required.
Select “Referee.”
Give the referee’s name;
Give the referee’s working email address
Take note: Your referee will receive an email containing a link to complete the online referee form, which should only take two minutes.
Select the “Submit Confidential Referee” option.
Note: If any of your nominated referees have not responded, you will be able to delete and add another referee.
Proceed to add the second referee. Note: On the same page below, you can see whether or not they have responded.

List your educational background

To provide “certificate type,” “Awarding Institution,” “Qualification Obtained,” “Class,” and “Year obtained,” first click on “Qualifications.”
Then, click on “School.”
Select “Save”
Add all of your academic credentials by following the previous instructions

List your credentials as a professional.

To access the qualifications, follow these steps:

Click on “Qualifications”;
Click on “Professional”;
Enter “certificate type,” “Awarding Institution,” “Qualification Obtained,” “Certificate Number (No),” “issue date,” and “expiry date.”
Click “Save”
Add all of your academic credentials by following the preceding instructions.

Examine your application.

Please take note that unless the following are submitted, you will not be able to preview your application form:

Payment has been received.
Everything you submitted in the Profile area is correct.
At least one O’level sitting has been uploaded by you.
For every O Level exam sitting that you have uploaded, you have been given O-level verification cards.
At least two referees have been provided by you, and they have all replied. (If necessary, kindly remove this referee and add more.)
You have listed a minimum of two educational credentials.
You have uploaded the necessary files.
(a) You can edit any incorrect section after previewing it.

Send in your application.

Fill out the form;
Click “Submit”;
Follow the prompts to finish the submission procedure;
Note: Once your application has been submitted, you are unable to edit it. Thus, before submitting, it is recommended that you double-check and update any incorrect information.

NDA Application Requirements: Download Here

nda_2024_requirements Download

Nature and Duration of Training

Candidates admitted into NDA for Regular Courses will undergo military and academic training as Officer Cadets for 5 years.

On successful completion of training, graduates will earn an honours degree in a core discipline (BSc, BEng, BA). They will equally earn a Presidential Commission into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

What is the NDA 2024 Exam Date

The 76th regular course admission online application form will be accessible starting on Monday, October 30, 2023, and will stay up to date until April 30, 2024.

For screening, the date is 25th May 2024. And you are expected to come with the following:

Acknowledgement Form
Screening Test Admission Card
JAMB result slip
TWO 3.5 x 5-inch postcard-sized photographs with essential details.

Remember, Only candidates who satisfy the admission requirements and must have a UTME score of 180 for Arts & Social Sciences and Science and 210 scores for Engineering courses will be enabled to print the Screening Test Admission Card and participate in the NDA Screening Test at the Centre of Choice.

Successful candidates in this phase will progress to the Armed Forces Selection Board for the second phase.

For more information about the National Defence Academy:

Official Site: NDA
Application Portal: NDA Applications
E-Mail: info@ndaapplications.net

FAQs on How to Join National Defence Academy

1. How can I join the National Defence Academy?

To join the National Defence Academy, you must appear for the NDA entrance exam conducted by the UPSC.

2. Can female candidates apply for admission to the National Defence Academy?

No, currently only male candidates are eligible to apply for admission to the National Defence Academy.

3. How can I apply for the NDA entrance exam?

You can apply for the NDA entrance exam through the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) by filling out the online application form.

4. What subjects are included in the NDA entrance exam syllabus?

The NDA entrance exam includes subjects such as Mathematics, General Ability Test, English, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events.

5. What is the selection process for NDA?

The selection process for NDA includes a written exam conducted by UPSC and an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

6. Are there any physical fitness requirements to join NDA?

Yes, candidates must meet specified physical standards as per NDA guidelines.

Conclusion

Enrolling in the National Defence Academy is an esteemed and demanding endeavour necessitating devotion, determination, and a strong sense of mission. Aspiring applicants can confidently handle the application process and increase their chances of success by following the thorough instructions provided in this guide.

Every facet of NDA entrance, from academic readiness to physical health, has been thoroughly examined to give prospective cadets a clear path forward. Along this path, people should develop traits like discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of duty to their country.

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