NDA opposes automatic admission plan for military school graduates

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has voiced strong opposition to a proposed amendment that would guarantee admission for graduates of military secondary schools. During a House of Representatives committee hearing, the NDA argued that such a move would undermine the merit-based selection process and conflict with constitutional principles of federal character, which ensure national unity and representation.

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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.

Taiye Ahmed, the director of Military Training at the NDA, presented the academy's concerns, explaining that the bill seeks to alter the NDA Act to reserve admission opportunities for graduates of specific military schools. He noted that this could create legal and constitutional complications and potentially discriminate against civilian applicants who are equally qualified.

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The NDA was not persuaded that the proposal serves the broader national interest.

The academy emphasized that admission is currently determined through a competitive process open to all eligible Nigerians. The NDA believes that prioritizing graduates from military schools would disadvantage civilian candidates and weaken the principle of federal character, which is crucial for maintaining national unity across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

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Mr Ahmed said such a provision could be interpreted as discriminatory because it would place civilian applicants at a disadvantage regardless of their academic or physical qualifications.