The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has a very competitive and structured admission process that looks for students who are academically strong, capable of leading, and physically fit.
The NDA admission list is the official list of people who have been accepted into the Nigerian Defence Academy for a certain school year.
Below, we explain in detail what the NDA admission list is, how to check it, and what successful candidates should do next.
Overview of the NDA Admission Process 2025/2026
There are several steps that candidates must take to get into the Nigerian Defence Academy. The application phase is usually the first step, during which people who want to apply fill out an online form with their academic information.
Before moving on to the next step in the admission process, applicants must also take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and get the score they need. Most courses require a score of at least 180, but engineering programmes usually need a higher score.
After passing the UTME, candidates take the NDA screening test, which is like a test after the UTME. Only people who do well on this test are chosen to move on to the next stage.
The Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) interview is then held for those who pass the test. This step looks at several things to see if a candidate is ready for military training, such as:
Physical fitness
Medical fitness
Psychological stability
Leadership potential
Academic capability
Only people who pass the AFSB interview and other tests are put on the final NDA admission list.
The number of applicants is usually much higher than the number of people who are accepted because of the strict screening process.
How to Check the NDA Admission List 2025/2026 Session
If you want to see if your name is on the admission list, you can do so by following the steps below:
Go to www.nda.edu.ng to get to the NDA admission portal.
Click on the "Admission" tab on the homepage.
To see the provisional admissions list, click "Check Admission List".
Usually, the list of people who were accepted is in PDF format. To find your name or application number, download the file.
You can also check your admission status through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Central Admission Processing System (CAPS):
To get to your profile, type in your username and password.
Go to the "Check Admission Status" section.
Choose the year of your exam and type in your JAMB registration number.
If you want to know if you've been accepted, click on "Check Admissions Status".
If you get in, quickly accept the offer on JAMB CAPS and follow the NDA's instructions for registering.
What to Do After Getting the NDA Admission List
Getting into the Nigerian Defence Academy is just the first step. Before they can officially start training, candidates who are successful must complete several important steps.
If the admission offer shows up on the JAMB CAPS portal, the first thing you need to do is accept it. Accepting the offer means that the candidate is ready to go through with the admission.
Next, candidates must get ready and show the necessary papers during the reporting process. These papers often contain:
Birth certificate or declaration of age
WAEC or NECO results
School testimonials
Certificate of state of origin
Passport photographs
Candidates who pass the first round must also pass more medical tests and physical screenings to prove that they are fit for military training.
Candidates who meet all of these requirements are officially enrolled as cadets and begin their military and academic training at the academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do NDA students receive a salary?
A: Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) cadets receive a monthly stipend and allowance during their 5-year training
Q: Are phones allowed in NDA Kaduna?
A: Mobile phones are strictly prohibited for cadets during their training period at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
Q: Must I choose NDA as my first choice?
A: Yes, the Nigerian Defence Academy must be selected as the first choice during UTME registration for eligibility consideration.
Q: Is NDA a university?
A: Yes, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is a premier military university located in Kaduna, Nigeria, established in 1964.
Q: What is the JAMB score for NDA?
A: The minimum JAMB cut off mark for the Nigerian Defence Academy is 180 for arts, management, and social science courses and 210 for engineering courses and programmes.
