Optometrist at the Nigerian Army (DSSC 29 / 2026)

The Nigerian Army is the largest component of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and is responsible for land warfare operations. It is governed by the Nigerian Army Council.

Applications are invited from eligible Nigerians for commission into the Nigerian Army (NA) as Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) officers in the position below. The DSSC is open to both civilians and serving military personnel: 

Job Title: Optometrist

Location: Nigeria

Qualifications 

• Applicants must possess a Degree in relevant field.

Entry Requirements
All applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

• Be a Nigerian as defined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• Be a male or female between the ages of 20 and 32 years by 30 March 2026.  Medical consultants could be between 25 - 40 years of age by 30 March 2026.
• Be medically, mentally and physically fit according to NA standards.
• Be recommended and attested to his/her good character by at least 2 recognizable referees who are either a Local Government Chairman/Secretary or an officer of the Armed Forces not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and equivalent or an Assistant Commissioner of Police and above who must hail from the applicant’s state of origin. Passport photographs of referees must be affixed to the letter of attestation.
• Applicants must submit a letter of Attestation from their former institutions.
• Measure in height at least 1.68m (for males) and 1.65m (for females).
• Must not have been convicted by any court of law. Military personnel applying must be free from any disciplinary case and endorsed by the applicant’s Commanding Officer/Commander.
• Possess at least a first degree with not less than Second Class Upper Division or HND (where applicable) of not less than Upper Credit from any accredited institution of learning.
• Possess valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital or Local Government Council or valid age declaration.
• Possess a valid state of origin certificate.
• Applicants must possess NYSC discharge certificate or valid exemption certificate as appropriate.
• Graduates with professional qualifications must be duly registered by the relevant regulating bodies recognized by Nigerian Laws at the commencement of cadet training.
• Only post-secondary academic credentials obtained from 2011 to date will be considered.
• Applicants must present valid contact addresses and telephone numbers of parents/guardians and Next of Kin as appropriate.
• Candidates must not have any bodily inscriptions or tattoos.
• Candidates must tender all original copies of educational certificates (primary to post-secondary).
• Service personnel must present valid military identity cards and letter of recommendation by their Commanding Officers/Commanders. They must also present the valid letter(s) of Service sponsorship to tertiary academic institutions (where applicable).  Additionally, they must have served for a period of not less than 5 years.
• Candidates must not belong to any cult/society/fraternity.

Conditions of Service

• The DSSC will be granted for 15 years. DSSC officers who convert to Direct Regular Commission (DRC) can serve up to 35 years in the NA. Other Service conditions include the following:
  • The DSSC officers shall be on probation for the first 3 years of service.
  • Conversion to DRC is not automatic but based on application by an eligible commissioned officer.
  • All graduating officer cadets must sign an acceptance of the terms and conditions governing the DSSC before they are granted commission into the NA.
  • The reckonable period of service for civilians who become commissioned officers will be based on the date of commencement of cadet training while that of military personnel applicants would be date of enlistment.
  • Medical Consultants on successful completion of military training shall be granted the rank of Major with seniority effective from date of commission.
  • Officer cadets who successfully complete the military training shall be granted the rank of Lieutenant (except for medical consultants) with seniority effective from date of commission.

Application Closing Date
4th February, 2026.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Application Instruction

• Click on the link above. You will be redirected to the page where you can read the qualification criteria for the ongoing DSSC courses.
• Click on the “Apply Now” button for the DSSC as per your qualification and Corps of choice.
• At the prompt, you will be required to select if you are serving or have served in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Choose the appropriate option and proceed.
• If you do not have an account, click on “Sign Up” (a verification will be sent to your email) or enter your login details and log in.
• Fill out the form and ensure all required documents listed below are uploaded:
  • Passport photograph.
  • Educational certificates.
  • Evidence of membership of any professional body.
  • Certificate of state of origin.
  • Birth certificate or age declaration.
  • NIN/BVN.

Print Out:

• Applicants must print out their online generated slip or card on completion of their application. The first page is to be signed by the Registrar of any Court of Law while the second page is to be signed by the applicants’ Local Government Chairman/Secretary or any military officer of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent and above or an Assistant Commissioner of Police and above who hails from an applicant’s state of origin.  
• Successful candidates would present their printed application forms (slips or card, guarantors form, attestation form etc) to the Selection Board during interview.

Note

• Only serving military personnel sponsored to civil institutions by any of the Services of the Nigerian Armed Forces shall be considered.
• The general public is advised to disregard any online application portal opened prior to the publication.
• Notice: Prospective applicants and the general public are to watch out for jingles on television and radio stations after this publication.
• Applications are to be made online FREE OF CHARGE.