The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has opposed a proposed amendment to its Act seeking automatic admission for graduates of military secondary schools, warning that the move could undermine the constitutional principle of federal character and unfairly disadvantage other qualified candidates.

The position was presented on Tuesday by the Director of Military Training, NDA, Brigadier General Taiye Ahmed, during the second day of a two-day public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, chaired by Hon. Babajimi Benson.

The hearing considered 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 seeks to grant automatic admission to graduates of Nigerian military schools into the academy.

Ahmed explained that the proposed amendment seeks to alter Section 8(2) of the Second Schedule to the NDA Act by granting an “automatic admission, right of first refusal” to applicants from Nigerian military schools.

According to him, the proposal would require the academy’s board to offer automatic admission to successful graduates of military secondary schools.

He said proponents of the bill argued that the amendment would prevent graduates of military schools from becoming “handy tools in the hands of non-state violent actors” because of their military background and training.

Ahmed explained that the proposal seeks to define “Nigerian Military Schools” as institutions providing both 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.

He said the academy does not support the amendment in its current form.

“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,” Ahmed said.

He added that the proposed amendment could also face legal challenges because it may be perceived as discriminatory against applicants who did not attend military schools.

“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,” he said.

Ahmed maintained that graduates of military schools already enjoy equal opportunities to gain admission into the academy through the existing competitive 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 added.

He also noted that graduates of military secondary schools have alternative pathways into military service, particularly through enlistment as soldiers before progressing to higher military institutions under sponsorship programmes.

According to him, graduates can subsequently apply for commissions through the Short Service Commission or Direct Short Service Commission, while those unsuccessful still have opportunities through executive commission programmes later in their careers.

Ahmed stressed that admission into the academy remains merit-based and highly competitive, requiring candidates to meet minimum JAMB scores as well as rigorous physical, psychological and medical standards.

He disclosed that available records show that civilian applicants sometimes outperform military school graduates during the selection process.

“Available records in the Armed Forces show that civilian candidates could be better than some military school graduates based on the earlier mentioned criteria. To avoid disenfranchising excellent candidates who did not have the opportunity of attending military schools, admission into NDA should remain competitive,” he said.

He urged lawmakers to retain the current admission framework.

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

Speaking at the close of the hearing, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, commended participants for their contributions.

“This is the people’s Parliament. The contributions have been worthwhile,” Benson said.