NDA Rejects Automatic Admission for Military School Graduates

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has opposed a proposed amendment to its act that seeks to grant automatic admission to graduates of military secondary schools, including the Nigerian Military School, Air Force Military School, Air Force Girls Military School, and Nigerian Navy Military School. Brig Gen Taiy Ahm Dure, the director of military training at the NDA, presented this position during a public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Defence.

The NDA argues that the proposed bill could undermine the federal character principle and create discrimination against qualified candidates from non-military schools. The NDA emphasized that the current merit-based admission process, which includes rigorous physical, psychological, and medical assessments, ensures fairness and allows for the selection of qualified candidates.

The NDA also noted that civilian applicants sometimes outperform military school graduates during the selection process and urged lawmakers to retain the existing admission framework.