Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna Post-UTME/78 Regular Course Admission 2026: Cut-Off Mark, Eligibility and Registration Details

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, has commenced Admission into its 78th Regular Course (78RC) for the 2026/2027 academic session. The Academy invites qualified Nigerian males and females seeking both military officer training and a university degree to apply. Successful candidates will undergo military and academic training and will be commissioned as officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces upon graduation.

The NDA is Nigeria's premier military university and trains officer cadets for the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Regular Combatant Course lasts five years, comprising four years of academic training and one year of intensive military training.

NDA Cut-Off Mark for 2026/2027 Admission

The Academy has announced the following minimum UTME scores for candidates seeking admission into the 78 Regular Course:

Only candidates who meet these minimum scores will be eligible to participate in the NDA Screening Test and subsequent selection stages.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates seeking admission into NDA must:

• Be Nigerian citizens by birth.

• Be medically, physically, and mentally fit.

• Be of good moral character.

• Be single and without legal obligation to support any child or dependent.

• Present a Certificate of State or Local Government Indigeneship.

• Be at least 17 years old and not more than 21 years old by August 2026.

• Possess at least five O'Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics, plus three relevant subjects.

• Obtain the required credits in not more than two sittings.

• Meet the approved UTME cut-off mark.

• Select NDA as First Choice Institution in JAMB.

• Meet the minimum height requirement:

  • Male: 1.68 metres

  • Female: 1.65 metres.

Knowledge of French, Arabic, or Mandarin is considered an added advantage.

Available Faculties and Programmes

Faculty of Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Electrical/Electronics Engineering

• Computer Engineering.

Faculty of Science

• Computer Science

• Biological Sciences

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Mathematics.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

• Accounting

• Economics

• Political Science and Defence Studies

• Geography

• History and War Studies

• French

• Psychology.

Faculty of Military Science and Interdisciplinary Studies

• Intelligence and Cyber Security Studies

• Military History

• Strategic Studies

• Defence and Security-related programmes.

NDA Screening Test (NDAST)

Candidates who meet the required UTME score and selected NDA as first choice are invited to participate in the NDA Screening Test (NDAST).

For the 78 Regular Course, eligible candidates are those who scored the prescribed UTME marks and completed their online applications. The screening test is conducted nationwide across all states and the FCT.

Successful candidates from the screening test proceed to the Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) interview stage, which includes:

• Medical examination.

• Physical fitness assessment.

• Psychological tests.

• Leadership evaluation.

• Oral interview.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should:

1. Visit the NDA application portal.

2. Create an account with a valid email address.

3. Complete the online application form.

4. Generate and pay the required Remita payment.

5. Select NDA as first-choice institution in JAMB.

6. Upload all required credentials.

7. Print the application acknowledgement slip.

8. Await invitation for the NDA Screening Test.

Admission Portal

Official NDA Admission Portal:

NDA Application Portal

What Successful Candidates Receive

Cadets admitted into the NDA Regular Course enjoy:

• Full military and academic training.

• Accommodation within the Academy.

• Military uniforms and equipment.

• Monthly allowances.

• Bachelor's Degree (B.Sc., B.A., or B.Eng.).

• Presidential Commission as officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces upon graduation.

Campus Location

Nigerian Defence Academy is located at:

Afaka, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Why Choose NDA?

The Nigerian Defence Academy offers:

• Military officer training and university education simultaneously.

• Fully funded military training.

• Leadership and character development.

• Guaranteed commissioning into the Armed Forces upon successful completion.

• Highly respected degrees recognized nationally and internationally.

• Career opportunities in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Important Notice

Applicants must ensure that NDA is selected as their first-choice institution in JAMB. Meeting the UTME cut-off mark alone does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also pass the NDA Screening Test and the Armed Forces Selection Board selection process.

Final Note

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, remains Nigeria's most prestigious military university and the primary institution for training future officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Candidates who score at least 180 (or 210 for Engineering programmes) in UTME, satisfy the age and physical requirements, and successfully pass the screening and selection stages stand a chance of gaining admission into the 78 Regular Course for the 2026/2027 academic session.