Nigerian Navy Requirements for Recruitment

Are you looking to join the Nigerian Navy and you don’t know how to go about it?

Well, you’re on the right page.

In this post, we take a look at the requirements for recruitment into the Nigerian Navy. But first, let’s find out briefly what the Nigerian Navy is all about.

nigerian navy short service

Basically, the Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces and it is one of the largest navies on the African continent with thousands of personnel.

The Nigerian Navy can be traced to the Nigerian Marine which was formed in 1914 after the amalgamation of the then Northern and Southern Nigeria. At that time, it was a quasi-military organization that expanded to become the Southern Nigerian Marine in 1893. The equivalent in Northern Nigeria was formed in 1900. Eventually, the two Marines were merged in 1914.

The responsibilities of the Marine included administration of the ports and harbours, dredging of channels, buoyage and lighting operation of ferry services, touring launches, and other small craft that plied the various creeks and other inland waterways.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was formed from the Nigerian Marine. The NPA which was charged with the running of ports and ensuring safe navigation.

Also, the Inland Waterways Department was another agency formed from the Marine. The agency was involved in the running of ferries and touring launches. And the third organization was the Nigerian Naval Force which was made up mostly of reserve Royal Navy officers and ex-Service personnel who had been transferred to the Nigerian Ports Authority from the defunct Nigerian Marine. Its primary responsibility was to train the personnel and set up the appropriate infrastructure necessary for the planned Navy. The first basic training establishment for the future Navy – the HMNS QUORRA – was started on 1 November 1957 with 60 junior ratings, who underwent a 6-month basic seamanship course.

In July 1959, the Nigerian Naval Force became the Nigerian Navy when Queen Elizabeth granted permission for the Force to use the title ‘Royal Nigerian Navy’. The title was changed to the ‘Nigerian Navy’ in 1963 after Nigeria became a republic.

The constitutional task of the Navy was expanded in 1964 after the repeal of the 1958 Ordinance. The new law, known as the Navy Act of 1964, for the first time tasked the Navy with the “naval defence of Nigeria.” Other tasks assigned the Navy by the 1964 Act were essentially coast guard duties, namely: assisting in the enforcement of Customs laws, making hydrographic surveys, and training officers and men in naval duties.

These tasks were essentially routine functions of any Navy. Consequently, the naval leadership began to mount pressure on the political leadership to re-define the constitutional role of the Navy. In 1993, this pressure yielded the desired result and under a new law, Armed Forces Decree 105 (now known as the Armed Forces Act), was incorporated as part of the 1999 Constitution. The Navy was given expanded military and constabulary roles, especially in the oil and gas sectors of the Nigerian maritime economy.

Now that’s you know about the history of the Nigerian Navy, let’s take a look at the recruitment process.

Joining the Nigerian Navy through the DSSC is a stringent process and you have to meet specific requirements. We have highlighted these requirements below:

  • You must be a Nigerian by birth.
  • You must be between 18 and 30 years.
  • You must be medically fit and present certificates of medical fitness from Government recognized Hospitals.
  • You must be of good character and must not have been convicted of any criminal offenses.
  • You must possess the requisite qualification and certificates.
  • You must not be members of any Secret Society, Cults or Drug Addicts etc.
  • Your chest measurement must not be less than 0.87 for men and your height must not be less than 1.65m if you’re a male and 1.60 if you’re a female.
  • Computer skill is an added advantage.

The form can only be obtained and filled online. All recruitment in Nigerian Navy is conducted via the Nigerian Navy recruitment portal on http://joinnigeriannavy.com.

We have also highlighted the educational requirements below:

  1. The General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level;
  2. The Ordinary National Diploma (OND);
  3. The West African School Certificate or The Senior Secondary School Certificate;
  4. The London City and Guilds or The WAEC City and Guild.

Also, you must provide their primary school leaving certificate. If you have a higher educational or professional qualification, for example, HND, BA or BSc, etc., you should not apply at all.

On no circumstance should you declare false educational or professional certificates as this will lead to a direct removal or discharge and the offender is passed to the Civil Police for prosecution.

Also, any qualification or certificate not tendered or declared and accepted during the recruitment exercise is not admissible after the recruitment. And it cannot be rendered for the purpose of branch change or promotion during the Naval service.

Additionally, if you have any of the following challenges, you cannot apply:

  • previous orthopedic operation;
  • short sight;
  • ear problem;
  • flat foot;
  • fracture;
  • stammering;
  • less than the required height (1.70 for male and 1.67 for female)
  • any natural disability.

All candidates and applicants should be between the ages of 18 – 22 years old, at the time of entry into the Training School to receive the certificate. Whereas the age of 24 years, is acceptable for those who have higher qualifications, for example, ICT Professionals, Nurses, NCE Holders, etc.

Also, it is expected that you’re not married or have children before joining Nigerian Navy.

When applying, you should print out the Parent or the Guardian Consent Form and the Local Government Attestation Form.

Here is a summary of the application process

  1. a) Visit the Nigerian Navy Recruitment Exercise here Nigerian Navy DSSC Recruitment 2018 or Nigerian Navy portal www.joinnigeriannavy.com or https://www.joinnigeriannavy.com/Account/Register
  2. b) Create an account on the recruitment portal a valid email address (which will be your User Name) and password. It is important you memorize your username and password to login again in the portal.
  3. c) Download and print a copy of your completed Application form.

You will be invited for a written aptitude test and if you’re successful, you will be shortlisted for an interview which will involve the screening of academic certificates and credentials, medical and physical fitness tests, written and oral examinations.

You’re expected to come with the following items to the interview:

  1. Original and photocopies of academic certificates and credentials including:
  2. National Identity Card (acknowledgement slip admissible).
  3. First School Leaving Certificate and Senior Secondary School Certificates (WAEC, NECO etc), with scratch cards for verification of results (original copy of West African Examination Council Certificate is compulsory).
  • Certificates from tertiary institutions.
  1. Federal Ministry of Education authentication of foreign certificates.
  2. NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate.
  3. Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age.
  • Certificate of Local Government of origin.
  • Two (2) recent coloured passport-sized photographs.
  1. Writing materials.
  2. Three pairs of white (unmarked) vests and navy blue shorts.
  3. A pair of white canvas shoes/trainers.
  4. Two bedsheets and pillowcases.
  5. A set of cutlery.
  6. Toiletries.

Failure to report on the interview date leads to disqualification.

22 thoughts on “Nigerian Navy Requirements for Recruitment”

  1. Good morning to you sir,,Good morning to you ma…. Please I am in need and seriously want to join the Nigeria Navy ,, please went the form for this year is out please don’t forget to send me a Notify Call or message ,,, this is my phone number 09132707462.

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