The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Tuesday kicked against a proposed amendment to the Act that seeks to grant automatic admission to graduates of military secondary schools into the academy, warning that such a provision could undermine constitutional principles and shut out more qualified candidates.

The Director of Military Training, Nigerian Defence Academy, Brigadier General Taiye Ahmed, made the position of the institution known during the second day of a two-day public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Defence on four defence-related bills, including a Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Defence Academy Act, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1709), which proposes automatic admission for graduates of Nigerian military schools into the academy.

While presenting the NDA’s position, Ahmed explained that the proposed amendment seeks to alter Section 8(2) of the Second Schedule to the NDA Act by granting what he described as “automatic admission, right of first refusal” to applicants from Nigerian military schools.

He pointed out that the proposed amendment provided that: “The board shall offer automatic admission for successful graduates from Nigerian military schools.”

According to him, the justification advanced by the proponents is “to prevent the graduates of the schools from being handy tools in the hands of non state violent actors because of the graduate military background.”

He further explained that the proposal also seeks to introduce an interpretation section defining “The Board” as the Board of the Nigerian Defence Academy, “Applicant” as candidates applying to the NDA, and “Nigerian Military Schools” as military schools that provide full military and academic training, including the Nigerian Military School, Zaria; Air Force Military School; Air Force Girls Military School; and the Nigerian Navy Military School.

However, Ahmed said that the academy does not support the amendment in its current form.

According to him, “however it was observed that if the amendment is passed as phrased,it has the potential of creating statutory bottlenecks on the constitutional principle of federal character. The NDA operates on this principle to ensure national unity and equal representation across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory FCT,” he said.

He added that the proposal could also face legal hurdles because it would unfairly disadvantage other Nigerians seeking admission into the academy.

“Moreover, the proposed amendment could face legal challenges for being discriminatory against applicants who did not attend the military school as it could be perceived as disenfranchising them for admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy.”

Ahmed maintained that graduates of military secondary schools already enjoy equal opportunities under the existing admission process.

“The graduates of military schools currently have equal opportunity to seek admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy to be commissioned as regular combatant officers by competing with other interested Nigerians.

“The process has consistently ensured that the NDA selects the best candidates irrespective of the secondary school they attended.”

He also pointed out that military school graduates already have alternative career pathways into the Armed Forces.

“Moreover graduates of the military schools have the opportunity for immediate enlistment as soldiers, especially the Nigerian Military School, Zaria upon graduation from military secondary schools and thereafter proceed to higher military institutions through military sponsorship. Upon graduation from higher institutions these graduates could apply to be commissioned as officers through the short service commission or the direct short service commission when advertised by any of the three services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

According to him, officers who do not secure commissions through those channels still have another opportunity later in their careers.

“Furthermore those unable to secure admission through the short service commission or the direct short service commission could apply for the executive commission later in their career.”

Ahmed stressed that admission into the NDA remains highly competitive and is based on merit.

“It is pertinent to state that the NDA has a very strict admission criteria including minimum JAMB score as well as very high standard physical, psychological and medical standard.”

He disclosed that available records indicate that civilian applicants sometimes outperform graduates of military secondary schools during the selection process.

“Available record in the Armed Forces show that civilian candidates could be better than some military school graduates based on their earlier mentioned criteria to avoid disenfranchising excellent candidates that did not have the opportunity of attending military schools from admission into NDA.”

He urged the committee to retain the current admission framework for the institution.

Besides the proposed amendment to the Nigerian Defence Academy Act, the committee also considered bills seeking to establish a Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre to enhance coordination and effectiveness of military operations; establish the Armed Forces Medical College, Abuja; and establish the National Defence College of Nigeria as a postgraduate degree-awarding institution and centre for strategic research and professional military education.

Speaking at the close of the session, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, commended participants for their contributions. (Nigerian Tribune)