The Nigerian Army has officially commenced its 2026 recruitment exercise, offering eligible Nigerians the opportunity to serve their country through the 91st Regular Recruits Intake (91RRI) and the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026.
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about the Nigerian Army recruitment portal for 2026, including application procedures, eligibility requirements, salary structure, and how to check the shortlist.
Is the Nigerian Army Recruitment Form out for 2026?
Yes, the Nigerian Army recruitment form for 2026 is officially out. The Army announced the commencement of applications for the 91st Regular Recruits Intake (91RRI) for tradesmen/women and non-tradesmen/women.
Key Dates for 91RRI 2026
| Event | Date |
| Application Opens | Sunday, March 30, 2026 |
| Application Closes | Saturday, May 17, 2026 |
| State Screening Exercise | June 9 – 23, 2026 |
Eligibility Requirements for 91RRI
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Nigerian citizen by birth
- Be single at the time of application
- Possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) — details must match across all documents
- Be medically, physically, and mentally fit
- Have no criminal record
- Possess at least 4 credits including English Language in WASSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB (not more than two sittings)
- Age requirements:
- Non-tradesmen/women: 18 – 22 years
- Tradesmen/women: 17 – 25 years (not more than 26 years by June 30, 2026)
- Height requirements:
- Males: 1.68 metres (5’6″)
- Females: 1.58 metres (5’2″)
- Possess a valid birth certificate and certificate of state of origin
- Trades applicants must have a Trade Test or City & Guild Certificate
DSSC Recruitment 2026
The Nigerian Army also conducted the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026 recruitment, with applications open from January 7 to February 4, 2026. Available corps included the Nigerian Army Engineers, Nigerian Army Signals, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and the Nigerian Army Education Corps.
Important: The DSSC application portal for 2026 is now closed as the application window ended on February 4, 2026. The 91RRI application portal was open from March 30 to May 17, 2026. As of June 2026, the 91RRI portal is closed, and the focus has shifted to the state screening exercise for shortlisted candidates.
Is the Nigerian Army shortlist out?
Yes, the Nigerian Army shortlist for 2026 is out. The Army has released the list of shortlisted candidates for both the DSSC Course 29/2026 and the 91RRI.
91RRI Shortlist (June 2026)
The Nigerian Army 91 Regular Recruits Intake (91RRI) shortlist is now out. All applicants are advised to visit the recruitment portal immediately to check their names
How to check the 91RRI shortlist:
- Visit: https://recruitment.army.mil.ng/drm
- Click on the name of your state to check for your name on the list
Screening details for shortlisted candidates:
- Shortlisted candidates are expected to report to their respective states of origin for the screening exercise
- Screening dates: June 9 – 23, 2026
- Lists are available for all 36 states and the FCT
Important: No PDF download is required to check your name and application number.
DSSC Course 29/2026 Shortlist (February 2026)
The Nigerian Army also released the list of successful candidates for the DSSC Course 29/2026. Shortlisted candidates were directed to report for training at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji, Kaduna State, by 9:00 a.m. on February 22, 2026.
To check DSSC status, applicants were required to visit the Nigerian Army recruitment portal: https://recruitment.army.mil.ng.
Which military portal is open now?
As of June 2026, the primary Nigerian Army recruitment portal https://recruitment.army.mil.ng is active, but applications for both the 91RRI and DSSC 2026 are closed.
Current Status of Military Portals
| Portal | Status | Purpose |
| recruitment.army.mil.ng | Active | Check shortlist, view updates |
| recruitment.army.mil.ng/drm | Active | Check 91RRI shortlist by state |
| DSSC Application Portal | Closed | Closed February 4, 2026 |
| 91RRI Application Portal | Closed | Closed May 17, 2026 |
Other Military Recruitment Portals
For those interested in other branches of the Nigerian military:
- Nigerian Navy: Check the official Nigerian Navy recruitment portal at www.joinnigeriannavy.com
- Nigerian Air Force: Check the official Nigerian Air Force recruitment portal at www.airforce.mil.ng
Note: Recruitment cycles for each branch operate on different schedules. Always verify through official channels.
How much is the Nigerian Army salary?
The Nigerian Army salary in 2026 ranges from approximately ₦75,000 for recruits to nearly ₦1.8 million for Generals, excluding allowances.
2026 Nigerian Army Salary Structure (Monthly)
Commissioned Officers
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary (₦) |
| General | 1,800,000 |
| Lieutenant General | 1,200,000 |
| Major General | 950,000 – 1,150,500 |
| Brigadier General | 750,000 – 750,500 |
| Colonel | 550,000 – 580,500 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 400,000 – 420,500 |
| Major | 300,000 – 380,500 |
| Captain | 250,000 and above |
| Lieutenant | 200,000 and above |
| Second Lieutenant | 180,000 – 330,000 |
Non-Commissioned Officers
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary (₦) |
| Warrant Officer Class I | 160,000 |
| Warrant Officer Class II | 155,000 |
| Staff Sergeant | 145,000 |
| Sergeant | 120,000 |
| Corporal | 115,000 |
| Lance Corporal | 105,000 |
| Private Soldier | 85,000 – 104,500 |
| Recruit (Trainee) | 75,000 – 80,500 |
Allowances and Benefits
Beyond the basic salary, Nigerian Army personnel receive various allowances that significantly boost their total earnings:
- Training Allowance: ₦15,000 – ₦35,000 monthly for recruits and cadets undergoing training
- Operation Allowance: Paid to soldiers participating in active field operations
- Uniform Allowance: For upkeep and purchasing of military uniforms
- Transport Allowance: Covers travel during deployment or relocation
- Housing Allowance: For officers and troops stationed outside barracks
- Medical Allowance: Healthcare services for soldiers and their families
- Special Duty Allowance: For specific duties or increased obligations
President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of military officers’ salaries, making military service increasingly attractive.
www.recruitment.army.mil.ng Portal
The official Nigerian Army recruitment portal is https://recruitment.army.mil.ng. This is the only authorised website for Nigerian Army recruitment applications and shortlist checks.
Features of the Portal
- Application Submission: All applications must be completed online through this portal
- Shortlist Checking: Candidates can check their status at https://recruitment.army.mil.ng/drm
- Free Application: The recruitment process is completely free
- Document Upload: Candidates can upload required documents directly
Step-by-Step Application Guide (for future reference)
- Visit the official portal: https://recruitment.army.mil.ng[reference:60]
- Select the appropriate option (91RRI or DSSC)
- Read the eligibility criteria carefully
- Create an account or sign in with a valid email address
- Fill the online application form with accurate personal details, educational qualifications, NIN, and BVN
- Upload scanned copies of required documents
- Review and submit your application
- Print your acknowledgement slip and photo card
Nigerian Army DSSC Recruitment Portal
The Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) recruitment portal is part of the main Nigerian Army recruitment website: https://recruitment.army.mil.ng.
What is DSSC?
The Direct Short Service Commission is a recruitment pathway for graduates with professional qualifications to join the Nigerian Army as commissioned officers. The DSSC Course 29/2026 was open to eligible Nigerians with degrees in various fields
How to Apply for DSSC (for future reference)
- Visit http://recruitment.army.mil.ng
- Select the DSSC option
- Read the qualification criteria carefully
- Create an account and fill the application form
- Upload required documents
- Submit and print acknowledgement slip
Note: The DSSC 29/2026 application portal is now closed. Future DSSC recruitments will be announced on the official Nigerian Army website.