The Nigerian Airforce is one of the branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces. One of the common questions prospective recruits often ask is how do I get into the Nigerian Airforce?
But before we look into that, let’s find out about the Nigeria Airforce and what the organization is all about.
Nigeria Airforce Requirements for Recruitment
The origin of the Nigerian Airforce can be traced to the year after the country’s independence when the organization was founded shortly after the country participated in peacekeeping missions in Congo and Tanzania.
It was the need to airlift troops in the course of these peacekeeping operations that signaled the importance of the country having a national air force. Subsequently, between 1962 and 1964, the Nigerian Parliament began the process of institutionalizing the Nigerian Airforce which led to the establishment of the Nigeria Airforce.
The Airforce was established to ensure the integrity of the airspace by gaining and maintaining control of the air while retaining a credible capacity to fulfill other airpower tasks expected of the national defense and security outfit.
And the reasons the Nigerian Parliament formed the Nigerian Airforce are highlighted below:
- To achieve a full complement of the military defense system of the Federal Republic of Nigeria both in the air and on the ground.
- To ensure fast mobility of the Armed Forces.
- To provide close support for the ground-based and seaborne forces in all phases of operations and to ensure the territorial integrity of a united Nigeria.
- To give the country the deserved prestige that is invaluable in international matters.
The first batch of cadets was enlisted in 1962. They were 10 in number and they obtained their training with the Ethiopian Airforce. In 1963, another set of 6 was sent out to Canada to be trained by the Royal Canadian Airforce.
From sending out cadets to be trained in foreign countries, the Nigerian Government decided to start training these recruits within the country. The German Airforce was contacted to train these cadets.
A few years later, their training was put to test during the Nigerian Civil war between 1967 and 1970.
Overall, in the last 45 years, the NAF has been involved in operations to defend the Nigerian territory. Also, they have been involved in effectively troops lifting troops, providing logistics supply, medieval and in combat operations.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, NAF Nigerian Army Air Defence Artillery provides low-level air defense for airports around the country.
NAF is also involved in airlifting the Nigerian contingents to sporting engagements in situations where there are flight problems.
Also, the NAF has been involved in various international peace-keeping operations which include:
- the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon from 1978 to 1982,
- the OAU peace-keeping Operations in Chad in 1983
- the UN Military Observer Group (UNIMOG) in Yugoslavia in 1988,
- the ECOMOG Operations in Liberia,
- the UNISOM Operations in Somalia and Rwanda as well as
- the peace-keeping engagement in Sierra Leone.
Now that you know what the Nigeria Airforce is all about, here are the recruitment requirements
- You must be aged between 18 and 35.
- You will also need to meet the minimum requirements (if any) for your respective programme.
- You must be a Nigerian; either by birth or nationalization.
- Applicant must have a valid means of identification which could be a voters card, driving license or national immigration passport.
Generally, your selection into the Airforce is based on your genuine interest as well as passing the relevant tests;
You can apply online for the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) recruitment via NAF Nigeria official website. Also, you can visit Here: careers.nigerianairforce.gov.ng – Nigerian Airforce Portal to see the application portal. You will get more details on how to apply when you visit Nigeria Airforce website.
For the direct short service commission, the online registration usually goes on for one or two months each year.
On the other hand, the application and recruitment for the Airmen/women are usually concluded within 3 months from the application start date.
The official Nigerian Air Force website for recruitment-related information are www.airforce.mil.ng and careers.nigerianairforce.gov.ng. These websites link to the Recruitment and Enlistment Portal.
Any website or portal apart from this portal is considered a FRAUD. If you visit any of these fraudulent websites, you will be doing so at your own peril.
It is important for you to note that the entire application process is free and we have summarized the requirements below:
- All applicants must be Nigerians not less than 1.68m tall for male and not less than 1.65m for female.
- Interested applicants are to apply free of charge online at www.careers.nigerianairforce.gov.ng.
- Applicants are to print out the listed documents after completion of an application online:
- Local Government Attestation Form.
- Parents/Guardian Consent Form.
- Acknowledgment Form.
The qualifications are also highlighted below:
For non-tradesmen/women:
- Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 22 years by the 31st of December of the year of application.
- Applicants must possess a minimum of 3 credits including Mathematics and English in SSCE/NECO/GCE.
For tradesmen/women:
- Applicants applying as tradesmen and women must be between 17 and 24 years by the 31st of December of the application year.
- Applicants must possess a minimum of 3 passes including English in SSCE/NECO/GCE and must possess at least a lower credit in ND/NCE or any relevant trade certificate from reputable and approved government institutions/organizations.
Conclusion
It is important for you to note that the online registration usually lasts a couple of months and the zonal recruitment starts a few weeks after the end of the online registration. Also, as stated earlier, the NAF Online registration and all other recruitment processes are free of charge and no payment should be made.
Your Local Government Attestation/Indigeneship certificate must be accompanied by the passport photograph and photocopy of the signees drivers license or international passport. The signee is also to authenticate the passport photograph of the applicant behind.
If you have any further information, you can see the instruction page on the website or e-mail: airforce.support@swglobal.com.