NDA rejects bill for automatic admission of military school graduates

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has opposed a proposed amendment to its Act seeking automatic admission for graduates of military secondary schools, warning that the move could undermine the federal character principle and discriminate against other qualified candidates. NDA’s position was presented on Tuesday by its Director of Military Training, Brig.-Gen. Taiye Ahmed, during a […]

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has opposed a proposed amendment to its Act seeking automatic admission for graduates of military secondary schools, warning that the move could undermine the federal character principle and discriminate against other qualified candidates.
NDA’s position was presented on Tuesday by its Director of Military Training, Brig.-Gen. Taiye Ahmed, during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Defence on four defence-related bills.
Ahmed said the amendment to the NDA Act would grant graduates of military secondary schools, including the Nigerian Military School, Air Force Military School, Air Force Girls Military School and Nigerian Navy Military School, a “right of first refusal” for admission into the academy.
Proponents of the bill argued that the measure would prevent graduates of military schools from becoming vulnerable to recruitment by violent non-state actors due to their military background.
However, Ahmed said the NDA does not support the proposal in its current form.
He warned that automatic admission could conflict with the constitutional principle of federal character, which the academy applies to ensure equitable representation of all states and the FCT.
The military officer also argued that the proposal could face legal challenges on grounds of discrimination against applicants from non-military schools.
He said graduates of military secondary schools already enjoy equal opportunities under the existing merit-based admission process, which includes UTME performance and rigorous physical, psychological and medical assessments.
He added that military school graduates have other pathways into the Armed Forces, including enlistment and commissioning through the Short Service Commission, Direct Short Service Commission and Executive Commission.
Ahmed noted that available records show civilian applicants sometimes outperform military school graduates during the selection process.
He urged lawmakers to retain the current admission framework, saying it guarantees fairness and enables the academy to select the most qualified candidates.