Fresh concerns have emerged over the admission process into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as several prospective candidates have accused the institution of operating an admission portal that became inaccessible shortly after opening, allegedly preventing thousands of qualified applicants from completing their registration for the 78th Regular Course.
The aggrieved applicants claimed that the portal was available only for a brief period before becoming unavailable, leaving many unable to generate the mandatory Remita Retrieval References (RRRs), make the required application payments, or finalise their online registration.
The development has triggered widespread frustration among candidates and parents across the country, many of whom said they had eagerly awaited the commencement of the registration process only to encounter technical difficulties and what they described as inadequate communication from the Academy.
According to the affected candidates, the abrupt closure of the registration window has effectively denied numerous eligible Nigerians the opportunity to participate in the highly competitive admission exercise into one of the country’s foremost military institutions.
The NDA had earlier directed prospective applicants to complete their registration through its official admissions portal, outlining the procedures required for participation in the selection process.
In its guidelines, the Academy stated that candidates were expected to visit the application portal, purchase an access code, generate a Remita Retrieval Reference number and pay a non-refundable application fee of N7,000 through the approved payment platform.
The institution had stated: “Candidates should log on to the application portal, select ‘Purchase Access Code’ and fill in their details to pay for their application via REMITA in the sum of N7,000.00 only. Please note that only payment against RRR codes generated via the application portal would be accepted.”
However, several applicants alleged that they were unable to proceed with the registration process because the portal became inaccessible shortly after it opened.
Some candidates told journalists that despite repeated attempts to access the platform, they were unable to generate the required RRR codes needed to make payments and complete their applications before the portal was eventually shut down.
The affected applicants are now demanding explanations from the management of the Nigerian Defence Academy regarding the circumstances surrounding the portal’s reported inaccessibility.
They have also called on the institution to extend the registration period to ensure that prospective candidates who were unable to complete the process through no fault of theirs are not unfairly excluded from the admission exercise.
“We had been waiting for the portal to open, only for us to discover that it had become inaccessible after a very short period,” one of the applicants lamented. “Many of us kept trying without success. We believe deserving candidates should not lose this opportunity because of technical challenges.”
Adding another layer to the controversy, some complainants alleged that certain candidates may have received prior information regarding the opening of the registration window.
According to the applicants, the circumstances surrounding the exercise have fuelled suspicions that a select group of candidates may have had advance notice, enabling them to complete their registration before the portal became unavailable to others.
While these allegations remain unverified, the claims have intensified calls for transparency and fairness in the admission process.
Checks on the Academy’s application portal reportedly revealed a notice indicating that the registration exercise had already been concluded.
In the notice titled “Notice to Candidates on NDA Screening Test State Selection,” the Academy maintained that candidates who failed to complete the required procedures within the approved timeline had forfeited their opportunity to participate in the screening exercise.
“Please be informed that the window for the selection of States for the NDA Screening Test (NDAST) has closed,” the notice stated.
The Academy further emphasised that it operates a strict schedule and expects all applicants to comply with established timelines.
“The Nigerian Defence Academy operates a strict timeline, and all candidates are expected to follow instructions within the stipulated timeframes,” the notice added.
Defending its position, the institution insisted that adequate information had been disseminated to prospective candidates through multiple communication channels.
“It is the responsibility of every candidate to monitor their email regularly for information, notifications and updates from the Academy,” the statement read.
The Academy also noted that information concerning the registration timeline had been communicated directly to applicants and publicised through various official platforms.
“The information on the registration timeline sent to candidates personally through email was also available on the application portal, NDA website and various social media handles for candidates’ awareness,” the statement further explained.
The NDA subsequently reiterated that candidates who failed to complete the process within the approved period would not be eligible to participate in the forthcoming screening exercise.
“Any candidate who did not register within the stipulated timeline has thus been excluded from the NDA Screening Test scheduled for 20 June 2026. All are to note accordingly,” the notice concluded.
The statement was signed by the Registrar of the Academy.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Defence Academy had earlier announced a change in the date for its screening test, shifting the exercise from June 13, 2026, to June 20, 2026.
The rescheduling was reportedly necessitated by the need to avoid a clash with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) mop-up examination, which had been fixed for the same date as the Academy’s initial screening exercise.
Despite the explanation provided by the institution, the controversy surrounding the accessibility of the admission portal continues to generate debate among prospective applicants and their families.
For many of the affected candidates, the issue extends beyond a missed registration deadline; it raises broader questions about equal access, transparency and the effectiveness of digital admission systems used by tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
As calls grow for an independent review of the situation, stakeholders say a clear response from the Academy could help restore confidence in a process that many aspiring military officers consider a gateway to serving the nation.
Whether the Academy will reconsider its position by reopening the portal or granting an extension remains uncertain. However, for thousands of young Nigerians who had hoped to secure admission into the 78th Regular Course, the outcome of the controversy may determine whether their dreams of joining the prestigious military institution are deferred or permanently dashed.
