The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has issued a strict ultimatum to successful applicants of the 78th Regular Combatant Course (78RC), warning that failure to report on schedule will result in the immediate forfeiture of their hard-earned admission slots.
In a public notice released Wednesday morning via its official social media channels, the Academy confirmed that all admitted candidates are required to physically present themselves at the Ribadu Campus (Old Site) in Kaduna on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
The institution made it unequivocally clear that there will be no grace period for stragglers, any candidate who does not arrive by Monday, September 14, 2026, will have their admission automatically withdrawn.
The announcement, signed by the Academy Registrar, Brigadier General OA Ogunleye, follows the recent conclusion of the Armed Forces Selection Board exercise, a rigorous screening process that ran from July 4 to August 19, 2026. The board’s deliberations yielded a final list of successful candidates alongside a supplementary reserve pool.
Reporting Protocol and Reserve List Contingency
Admitted candidates are to report to the Drill Shed at the Old Site, Ribadu Cantonment, where they will be formally received and processed for the start of their military training. Those who find themselves on the reserve list are advised not to report immediately. According to the NDA, reserves may be contacted later if vacancies open up due to dropouts or disqualifications—and such invitations will be communicated directly via the email addresses and phone numbers provided during the initial registration phase.
The Academy has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy regarding documentation. Successful candidates must present original copies of all required credentials upon arrival. Photocopies, regardless of how certified, will be summarily rejected.
The mandatory documents include:
First School Leaving Certificate and Primary School Testimonial
WAEC/NECO results and Senior Secondary School Testimonial
Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age
Letter of State of Origin
The original, duly endorsed Parent/Guardian Consent Form
The NDA warned that any candidate unable to produce the originals of these documents would be turned away from the Academy premises.
Comprehensive Packing List for Cadets
Beyond paperwork, candidates are expected to arrive fully equipped with a specific inventory of clothing, footwear, sporting gear, and personal effects. The prescribed items include:
Black and white trousers, dark-colored lounge suit, and national dress
Black cover shoes, white and brown canvas shoes
Football boots, a hockey stick, white shirts, and socks
Bed sheets and a pressing iron
Female candidates have additional requirements: black low-heel cover shoes, dark-colored lounge skirts, black or blue short tights, and trouser suits.
The NDA also reminded all admitted candidates to finalize their admission acceptance through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) prior to reporting. Additionally, candidates who were not placed in their preferred academic departments must log into the JAMB portal to effect the necessary course changes.
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All candidates must also ensure their O’Level results are uploaded onto the JAMB portal before their arrival at the Academy.
Strict Regimen: No Visitors, No Leave for Three Months
In a move underscoring the intensity of military induction, the NDA has informed incoming cadets that they will be barred from receiving visitors or leaving the Academy premises for the first three months of training. Parents and guardians have been urged to respect this restriction and cooperate fully with the Academy’s protocols.
The Defence Academy concluded its notice by calling on successful candidates and their families to take every instruction seriously, emphasizing that compliance with all admission requirements is non-negotiable.