The Nigerian Army has commenced the 2026 Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination (SSCQE) for 274 officers at Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State.
The five-day examination, being conducted at the Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, is a major requirement for officers seeking admission into the Senior Command and Staff Course.
Addressing the candidates at the commencement of the exercise on Sunday in Jaji, the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Maj.-Gen. Peter Malla, urged them to remain focused, confident and committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity throughout the examination.
Malla, who is the President of the Examination Board, described the exercise as crucial to the career progression of the participants and an important requirement for admission into the Senior Command and Staff Course.
He said the examination was being conducted in accordance with the current syllabus approved by the Nigerian Army, with emphasis on subjects designed to strengthen military leadership and professional competence.
According to him, the ongoing transformation in the Nigerian Army, particularly in the area of professional military education, requires officers to demonstrate a high level of competence.
Malla expressed optimism that the candidates would excel in the examination, stressing that he expected nothing short of a 100 per cent pass rate.
He also charged members of the Directing Staff to remain objective and professional in their assessments while strictly adhering to the rules and regulations governing the examination.
The commander urged the candidates to uphold discipline and integrity in line with the core values of the Nigerian Army.
Malla assured the participants that the assessment would be objective, transparent and accountable, urging them to put in their best.
He, however, warned that any form of examination malpractice would attract disqualification and possible prosecution in accordance with the Nigerian Army Charter for Promotion Examinations (Revised) 2022 and the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The examination president further disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff would sustain the practice of rewarding the first, second and third best overall candidates with Certificates of Excellence, Letters of Commendation and cash gifts.
He added that outstanding performers in individual subjects would also be rewarded in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy of rewarding excellence and sanctioning incompetence.
Earlier, the Commander, Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, welcomed the candidates to Jaji and assured them that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the five-day exercise.
The examination was attended by senior officers from Army Headquarters and formations across the Nigerian Army.
