NDA Opposes Bill Granting Automatic Admission To Military School Graduates

Stakeholders on Tuesday opposed a proposed amendment to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Act that seeks to grant automatic admission to graduates of military secondary schools, warning that it could undermine constitutional principles and shut out more qualified candidates.

The opposition was presented by the Director of Military Training, NDA, Brig.-Gen. Taiye Ahmed, during the second day of a two-day public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, chaired by Hon. Babajimi Benson.

The hearing considered four defence-related bills, including a Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Defence Academy Act, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1709), which proposes automatic admission for graduates of Nigerian military schools.

Presenting the NDA’s position, Ahmed said the amendment seeks to alter Section 8(2) of the Second Schedule to the NDA Act by granting what he described as “automatic admission, right of first refusal” to applicants from Nigerian military schools.

He said the proposed amendment provides that: “The Board shall offer automatic admission for successful graduates from Nigerian military schools.”

According to him, proponents justified the move as a way “to prevent graduates of the schools from being used as tools in the hands of non-state violent actors because of their military background.”

The proposal also seeks to introduce an interpretation section defining “The Board” as the Board of the NDA, “Applicant” as candidates applying to the NDA, and “Nigerian Military Schools” as institutions providing full military and academic training, including the Nigerian Military School, Zaria; Air Force Military School; Air Force Girls Military School; and the Nigerian Navy Military School.

Ahmed, however, said the academy does not support the amendment in its current form, stating that it has the potential of creating statutory bottlenecks on the constitutional principle of federal character.

“The NDA operates on this principle to ensure national unity and equal representation across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” he said.

He added that the proposal could face legal challenges because it may unfairly disadvantage other Nigerians seeking admission.

“Moreover, the proposed amendment could face legal challenges for being discriminatory against applicants who did not attend military schools, as it could be perceived as disenfranchising them,” Ahmed said.

The NDA director maintained that military school graduates already enjoy equal opportunities under the existing admission process.

“Graduates of military schools currently have equal opportunity to seek admission into the NDA to be commissioned as regular combatant officers by competing with other interested Nigerians,” he said. “The process has consistently ensured that the NDA selects the best candidates irrespective of the secondary school they attended.”

He also pointed out that military school graduates have alternative career pathways into the Armed Forces, including immediate enlistment as soldiers and later commissioning through short service, direct short service, or executive commission.

Ahmed stressed that NDA admission remains highly competitive and merit-based, with strict criteria including minimum JAMB scores, physical, psychological, and medical standards.

He disclosed that civilian applicants sometimes outperform military school graduates during selection.

“We must avoid disenfranchising excellent candidates who did not have the opportunity of attending military schools,” he said.

He concluded by urging lawmakers to retain the current admission framework.

“The NDA is of the opinion that the current admission process should be maintained,” he added.

Besides the NDA amendment, the committee also considered bills seeking to establish a Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre to enhance coordination of military operations; establish the Armed Forces Medical College, Abuja; and establish the National Defence College of Nigeria as a postgraduate degree-awarding institution and centre for strategic research.

Speaking at the close of the session, Committee Chairman Babajimi Benson commended participants.

“This is the people’s Parliament. The contributions have been worthwhile,” Benson said.