The Nigerian Defence Academy has announced Saturday, June 13, 2026, as the date for its nationwide screening test for admission into the 78 Regular Course, with eligible candidates expected to participate across all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday through the academy’s official X handle and signed by the Registrar of the institution.
According to the NDA, only candidates who scored 180 and above in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and selected the academy as their first-choice institution would be eligible to sit for the screening exercise.
The academy disclosed that qualified applicants would begin receiving emails from May 20, directing them to select their preferred state for the screening test as part of preparations for the nationwide exercise.
It explained that the process was necessary to ensure proper allocation of examination centres and smooth coordination of the screening exercise across the country.
“The selection of location (State) of choice for the test is to be done latest by 24 May 2026,” the statement read.
The NDA advised candidates to carefully select the state where they currently reside, noting that the examination would be conducted simultaneously nationwide.
The academy further revealed that details of assigned examination centres would be communicated to applicants in the first week of June, ahead of the test date.
It assured candidates that additional instructions and updates regarding the screening process would be sent through their registered email addresses to avoid misinformation and confusion.
The institution reiterated its commitment to fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for all qualified candidates seeking admission into the military institution.
Some applicants who reacted to the development on social media expressed optimism over the commencement of the screening phase, while others appealed for timely communication concerning examination venues and other logistics.
The screening test remains one of the key requirements for admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, with successful candidates expected to proceed to subsequent stages of the admission process after the examination.
Over the years, the NDA has remained one of Nigeria’s most competitive higher institutions, attracting applicants from different parts of the country due to its combination of military training and academic education.
The academy has consistently maintained that its admission process is merit-driven and designed to ensure that only qualified and capable candidates are admitted into the institution.
Parents and guardians have also been advised to monitor official communication channels and guide candidates to comply strictly with the instructions issued by the academy to avoid disqualification during the process.
