The Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) is a specialized military recruitment route that allows Nigerian graduates and professionals to join the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force as commissioned officers for a short-term period — usually five to ten years, with potential for renewal or conversion to permanent commission.
DSSC officers are recruited based on their academic qualifications and professional expertise, such as medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, ICT professionals, or education specialists.
DSSC Entry Requirements (Summary)
To qualify for DSSC in Nigeria (Army, Navy, or Air Force), applicants must:
- Be a Nigerian citizen by birth
- Possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or HND from a recognized institution
- Be between 22 and 35 years old (some roles accept up to 40)
- Have an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate
- Be medically and physically fit
- Have no criminal record
Each service (Army, Navy, Air Force) may include additional professional certifications depending on the field (e.g., MDCN for doctors, COREN for engineers, NBA for lawyers).
DSSC Ranks in Nigeria (Army, Navy & Air Force)
The DSSC program commissions applicants as junior officers, based on their academic qualification and professional background. Below is the typical DSSC rank progression across the three arms of the Nigerian military.
Nigerian Army DSSC Ranks
|
Rank |
Notes |
|
Second Lieutenant |
Entry-level DSSC rank |
|
Lieutenant |
Promotion rank after 1–2 years |
|
Captain |
Mid-level officer |
|
Major |
Senior officer level |
Nigerian Navy DSSC Ranks
|
Rank |
Notes |
|
Sub-Lieutenant |
Entry-level DSSC rank |
|
Lieutenant |
Promotion rank after 1–2 years |
|
Lieutenant Commander |
Senior officer level |
Nigerian Air Force DSSC Ranks
|
Rank |
Notes |
|
Pilot Officer |
Entry-level DSSC rank |
|
Flying Officer |
Promotion rank after 1–2 years |
|
Flight Lieutenant |
Senior officer level |
DSSC Training Duration in Nigeria (2025)
Training for DSSC candidates is shorter and more focused than that of Regular Course officers. It mainly covers leadership, discipline, tactics, and branch-specific duties.
|
Military Branch |
DSSC Training Duration |
|
Nigerian Army |
6 – 9 months |
|
Nigerian Navy |
Approximately 6 months |
|
Nigerian Air Force |
6 – 9 months |
Training usually takes place at the respective military academies or designated training schools:
- Army: Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji
- Navy: Nigerian Naval College, Onne
- Air Force: Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna
DSSC Salary Structure in Nigeria (2025)
DSSC officers earn monthly salaries based on their ranks, similar to regular commissioned officers. Below is the current salary estimate for DSSC officers in Nigeria as of 2025.
Nigerian Army DSSC Salary
|
Rank |
Estimated Monthly Salary (₦) |
|
Second Lieutenant |
₦200,000 – ₦230,000 |
|
Lieutenant |
₦230,000 – ₦270,000 |
|
Captain |
₦270,000 – ₦310,000 |
|
Major |
₦310,000 – ₦370,000 |
Nigerian Navy DSSC Salary
|
Rank |
Estimated Monthly Salary (₦) |
|
Sub-Lieutenant |
₦210,000 – ₦250,000 |
|
Lieutenant |
₦250,000 – ₦290,000 |
|
Lieutenant Commander |
₦300,000 – ₦350,000 |
Nigerian Air Force DSSC Salary
|
Rank |
Estimated Monthly Salary (₦) |
|
Pilot Officer |
₦200,000 – ₦230,000 |
|
Flying Officer |
₦230,000 – ₦270,000 |
|
Flight Lieutenant |
₦270,000 – ₦320,000 |
Summary Table: DSSC Ranks, Training, and Salary in 2025
|
Branch |
Entry Rank |
Training Duration |
Monthly Salary (₦) |
|
Nigerian Army |
Second Lieutenant |
6–9 months |
₦200,000 – ₦230,000 |
|
Nigerian Navy |
Sub-Lieutenant |
About 6 months |
₦210,000 – ₦250,000 |
|
Nigerian Air Force |
Pilot Officer |
6–9 months |
₦200,000 – ₦230,000 |
Final Thoughts
DSSC offers a clear and structured opportunity for Nigerian graduates and professionals to serve in the armed forces while receiving a competitive salary, benefits, and leadership experience.
If you're a qualified graduate in medicine, engineering, education, law, or ICT, and you're considering a career in the military, the Direct Short Service route is worth exploring. It offers not only national service but also career development and structured financial compensation.
Make sure to always apply through official portals of the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force and stay updated on recruitment dates and guidelines.
