A military career can be a very fulfilling and rewarding one if you are passionate about serving your country. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is the Air component of the Nigerian military. Occasionally the NAF advertises opportunities for citizens willing to dedicate their lives to the service of the nation. In this post, we will discuss the Nigerian Air Force Recruitment, the forms you should fill, the portal for submission, exams, and courses you can take towards a career in NAF.
The Nigerian Armed forces is a big recruiter in Nigeria with manpower of 162,000 active staff and a reserve of 32,000. The Air Force alone has up to 10,000 staff. Every year, the Air Force seeks young, vibrant, and educated Nigerians who wish to enroll for service.
Yearly, the NAF advertises for vacancies for DSSC and BMTC. The BMTC is the Basic Military Training Centre, while the DSSC is the Direct Short Service Commission.
Here is the recruitment information for each of the NAF categories.
BMTC Recruitment:
To be eligible for BMTC recruitment, you must be a Nigerian citizen by birth. Also, your age range must be between 18 and 22 for non-tradesmen/women, and 18 and 25 years for tradesmen/women. However, if you are applying as assistant chaplains/assistant imams and drivers, you must be between the ages of 18 and 28 years. In addition, you’ll have to be single and meet the medical fitness standard of the Nigerian Air Force medical and employment standards. Furthermore, you’ll have to attain a height of 1.66 meters or 5.4ft for males and 1.63 meters or 5.3ft for females.
Also, in addition to an attestation form which a military officer from your state will have to sign for you, you’ll need to provide several other original credentials. Some of these credentials include two recent signed passport photographs, birth certificates, and indigene certificate.
The educational/professional qualification for this position is a minimum of five (5) credits for Non-Tradesmen/Women in SSCE, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB. However, for Tradesmen, the minimum requirement is an ND (with a minimum of Lower Credit), NABTEB, RN/RM/NCE or City & Guild Certificate. As a Tradesman/Woman with only Trade test Certificate, you can also be eligible if you have a minimum of 2 passes in GCE/SSCE/NECO including English Language.
For more information relating to this NAF job category including the ND degree discipline eligible and zonal recruitment exercise location, visit the NAF recruitment site link below.
BMTC Link
DSSC Recruitment:
The NAF selects applicants for the Direct Short Service Commission from the Department of Engineering, Medicine, Medical Consultants, Vet Medicine, and ICT/Sciences. They also include Sports, Education/Language, Administration/Finance, Logistics, Chaplaincy/Islam Affairs, and Legal Studies. NAF accepts applicants with degrees from any of these departments and the minim degree to qualify you is a Higher National Diploma (HND).
Generally, to apply for the DSSC you’ll need to possess a Bachelor’s Degree with second class Upper division or HND with Upper Credit. In addition, you must have completed your National Youth Service and have your NYSC Discharge Certificate or Letter of Exemption from NYSC at the time of applying. Where applicable, you must be certified and have certificates of full registration with your statutory professional bodies in Nigeria.
If you are a male applicant, you’ll need to up to 1.66 meters in height. Female applicants, on the other hand, must not be less than 1.63 meters tall. Furthermore, the age bracket for the DSSC application is between 22 and 30 years and 22 to 35 years for Consultants. Also, for the purpose of writing the NAF enlistment exercise, you’ll have to choose among the 15 zonal enlistment exercise centers. These locations are in major cities, including Lagos, Enugu, Jos, Port-Harcourt, Benin, Sokoto, Kano, and Kaduna.
Meanwhile, you’re to print out the Attestation Form and Acknowledgment Card after applying for DSSC online. Also, when you’re going for the zonal enlistment exercise, you’ should appear with a copy of your birth certificate, original education certificates, and NYSC discharge certificates.
These are not the only certification requirements for the DSSC. However, for additional information on the DSSC recruitment, visit the Nigerian Air Force recruitment website using the link below.
DSSC Link
Nigerian Air Force Recruitment Portal
The Nigerian Air Force does not contract any third party to do their recruitment. Whenever there is a call for application to any of the above-listed positions, NAF advertises it on the career section of their site, which are the links you have above.
To apply for any of the positions, you’ll have to visit the Nigerian Air Force Recruitment portal. It is at this portal you will be able to access the Nigerian Air Force recruitment form.
Please note that the form is not for sale. It is free of charge, as well as the whole application process. You will find this disclaimer on the portal as well, so beware of third-party organizations and cyber cafes that asks you to pay to get the Nigerian Air Force Recruitment form.
Therefore, to proceed with your NAF recruitment – whenever they make an announcement for application – using the Nigerian Air Force recruitment portal. Find the link below.
NAF Recruitment Portal
Nigerian Air Force Exam Date
The next step in the NAF recruitment, after submission of application, is the call for zonal enlistment exercise. The BMTC and the DSSC don’t schedule for recruitment at the same time, so you have to actively follow the NAF to know when it’s time for recruitment.
However, the NAF advertised for BMTC recruitment this year. The online registration began by 12th January 2019 and closed on 23rd February 2019. Afterward, NAF invited qualified applicants for the zonal enlistment exercise which took place from Saturday, March 9 to Saturday 23 March 2019. NAF will also invite the candidates that qualify from the enlistment exercise for the Final Selection Interview Exercise. The NAF will then proceed to publish the names of the candidates who pass this stage for the Basic Military Training.
On the other hand, the NAF advertised for DSSC last year, 2018. The online registration began on 19 October 2018 and ended on 16 November 2018.
[the_ad id=”526″]Since the NAF recruits annually, it is worth checking the career section of their website for recruitment announcements. There probably won’t be any advertisement for BMTC as NAF has recruited for that position this year. However, you may anticipate October of this year for a DSSC recruitment announcement.
Nigerian Air Force University
The Air Force Institute of Technology, (AFIT) Kaduna is the NAF’s educational institution. Although nobody has formally named it a university, the AFIT is a tertiary institution with a blend of military and civilian staff and students. It has accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Universities Commission (NUC). The Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). The Institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Aerospace Engineering and allied disciplines.
[the_ad id=”526″]Nigerian Air Force Courses
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) offers the Nigerian Air Force courses. The Institute offers Degree, Diploma, and Postgraduate programs for Undergraduates, Postgraduates, and ILPC. Also, the faculties that offer these programs are Air Engineering, Computing, Ground and Communications Engineering, Social and Management Sciences, Science, and School of Postgraduate Studies.
Degree Courses:
Here are the approved courses/programs by the various faculties and departments.
- Master’s Program (M.Sc): Aerospace Vehicle Design, and Thermal Power
- Post Graduate Diploma (PGD): Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Construction Technology, and Logistics and supply chain Management
- First Degree Programs (B.Eng. & B.Sc.): For B.Eng., AFIT offers Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Information & Communication Technology, Automotive Engineering, and Civil Engineering. However, for B.SC., AFIT offers Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Marketing, and Cyber Security. Eleven (11) courses in all.
Diploma Courses
The Nigerian Air Force also offers diploma courses in its various faculties. Here is the list of NAF diploma courses by departments.
- School Of Postgraduate Studies (PGD): Aircraft Engineering Technology (Avionics), Supply Chain and Management, Aircraft Engineering Technology (Power Plant), and Electrical Electronics Engineering.
- Air Engineering Faculty/Department of Aircraft Maintenance: ND Aircraft Engineering Technology, HND Aircraft Engineering Technology (Avionics), and HND AIRcraft Engineering Technology (Power Plant)
- Faculty of Social and Management Sciences/Department of Supply and Management: ND Economics, Business Administration and Management (ND), and HND Purchasing and Supply.
- Ground and Communication Engineering Faculty / Department of Electrical Electronics Engineering: ND Electrical Electronics Engineering, and HND Electrical Electronics Engineering.
- For their Department of Mechanical and Ground Engineering, however, AFIT offers ND Mechanical Engineering.
Initial License Preparatory Course (ILPC)
This is a preparatory course designed for military personnel and civilians in the field of aircraft maintenance. The course provides individuals with a good foundation to successfully undertake and pass the NCAA examinations. Passing the NCAA exam is a requirement to the issuance of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers’ Licence.
Meanwhile, AFIT has accreditation by the National Universities Commission and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to conduct Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence Preparatory Course among others.
The Air Force Institute of Technology successfully concluded its Sixth Initial Licence Preparatory Course in November 2018. It has now commenced the next Initial Licence Preparatory Course (ILPC 07) for candidates who are desirous of obtaining the NCAA’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineers’ Licence.
Furthermore, this Nigerian Air Force course is open to the general public and it commenced in March 2019. It will last for a duration of 24 weeks, however. Also, this Nigerian Air Force course gives you the option of selecting from either Airframe and Gas Turbine Engine or Avionics and Instrument.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be Eligible for ILPC, you:
- Must be holders of the Post Graduate Diploma in Aerospace Engineering with a minimum of a pass from AFIT Kaduna.
- May also hold a Higher National Diploma in Aircraft Engineering Technology with a minimum of a lower credit pass from AFIT Kaduna.
- May as well hold an equivalent qualification to the ones listed above from other recognized institutions if you don’t have either of the two.
- Should be a BSc/BEng in Aerospace Engineering and related fields from a reputable Institution.
- May also be a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel with adequate cognate fieldwork experience of not less than 10 years and type training on any NAF aircraft.
Applying for NAF IPLC:
To Apply for this Nigerian Air Force course, however, you:
- Are to visit the AFIT Website.
- Should navigate to the Admission menu and select ILPC.
- Will have to create a new profile with your email address as well as make an online payment of N10,000.00 to complete the process
Note that this payment is non-refundable. Also, note that the online application for this Nigerian Air Force course closes 4 weeks from the date of publication.
Meanwhile, serving military personnel are to complete their registration within two weeks from the publication.
[the_ad id=”526″]Frequently Asked Questions on NAF Recruitment
Here are a couple of questions applicants ask regarding the Nigerian Air Force recruitment process. We also provide you answers to these questions to guide you to apply the right way.
When was the Nigerian air force established?
Answer: The Air Force was established in 1964 through the Nigerian Air Force Act which the National Assembly passed.
Is the Nigerian Air Force recruitment form on sale?
Answer: No, the Nigerian Air Force recruitment for is not on sale. You can get it free of charge in the Nigerian Air Force recruitment portal
Is the Nigerian Air Force recruiting?
Answer: Currently, the Nigerian Air Force is not recruiting. However, you can always check on the NAF website’s career page to check out for recruitment announcements.
How do I become a recruiter in the air force?
Answer: You cannot be a recruiter in the Nigerian Air Force. However, you can join the NAF as a recruit if you apply and pass the NAF recruitment exercise.
[the_ad id=”526″]In Conclusion:
The Nigerian Airforce is the Air branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces and it is a big employer of labor. Yearly, the Nigerian Air Force opens its recruitment portal to accept applications for BMTC and DSSC. You will have to fill the Nigerian Air Force recruitment form to complete your application. This application is free of charge and you will always find it in NAF’s recruitment portal whenever there is a call for application. However, you can also take university grade courses and degrees from the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology. This NAF’s Institute offers courses to both military personnel and civilians.
