The NDA resumption date is one of the most frequently searched topics among applicants and newly admitted cadets because it determines when training and academic activities begin.
Successful candidates must be aware of the correct resumption date because the academy has strict attendance policies in place, and failure to report on time can result in admission forfeiture.
We've included a comprehensive and current guide to the NDA resumption date for the 2025/2026 academic session below.
NDA Resumption Date 2025/2026 Session
Applications for the 78 Regular Course for the 2025/2026 admission cycle began on November 28, 2025, and will close on April 30, 2026. The official resumption date for newly admitted cadets varies slightly according to the course year and admission cycle.
The academy's Public Relations Office says that all successful candidates had to report between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM on the day of the resumption. If a candidate didn't show up without a good reason, they could be replaced by someone on the reserve list.
The academy has a strict policy about when students can return because military training schedules are very strict. NDA has strict rules about late registration, unlike regular universities, where it may be allowed.
Cadets should show up on the right day with all of their paperwork and personal items. After the screening test and selection process are over, the people who are chosen will get official admission letters that tell them when they can start.
NDA Admission Timeline and How It Affects Resumption
Knowing the NDA admission timeline can help applicants guess when the resumption date will happen. The process usually goes in a set order.
First, the academy makes the application portal available to people who are interested. For instance, applications for the 78 Regular Course opened in November 2025 and will close in April 2026.
After the application period is over, candidates who chose NDA on the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and got the right score are invited to take the NDA screening test. This screening is usually done as a computerised test at different centres across the country.
The Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) invites people who pass the screening stage to come in for interviews, physical fitness tests, medical exams, and psychological tests.
Following these stages, the academy will publish the final merit list of successful candidates. After being accepted, they are given official instructions about travel plans, paperwork, and when they can start again.
What to Expect After Resumption at NDA
When a cadet starts their training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, it is very structured. The daily schedule is meant to help people become more disciplined, learn how to lead, and build up their physical strength.
Cadets do physical training in the early morning, then they go to class and do their homework. Every day, there are military drills, weapons training, and leadership exercises.
In school, discipline and working together are very important. Cadets learn how to work together as a group and develop the leadership skills they will need to become military officers in the future.
Cadets get military and academic training, but they also play sports, do field exercises and go to leadership camps. The goal of these activities is to prepare them for the hard work they will have to do when they join the military.
Cadets not only get a college degree when they finish their training, but they also learn how to be officers in the Nigerian military.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long is the training period for NDA?
A: The NDA training for Regular Combatant Course cadets lasts 5 years, comprising 4 years of academic studies and 1 year of intensive military training.
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.
Q: Can we smoke in NDA?
A: Smoking, drinking, or any form of substance abuse is strictly prohibited.
Q: Do NDA students receive a salary?
A: Nigerian Defence Academy cadets receive a monthly stipend and allowance during their 5 year training, while also enjoying free school fees, accommodation, and feeding.
Q: Can I use my phone in NDA?
A: Mobile phones are generally not allowed for cadets during their training period at the Nigerian Defence Academy.
