Over 260 Nigerian Army Officers Sit For 2025 Senior Staff Course Qualifying Exam

Not less than 260 middle cadre officers of the Nigerian Army are participating in the 2025 Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise, regarded as a key career milestone, is being held at the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps Centre’s Ihejirika Auditorium in Jaji Military Cantonment. The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) is conducting the examination.

Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, President of the Examination Board, told candidates and directing staff on Sunday in Jaji, Kaduna State, that the test aims to evaluate the officers’ determination, competence, and proficiency in their areas of specialisation. He said the syllabus covers eight subjects, including tactics, low-intensity conflict, geopolitics, and military law.

Aligbe stressed the importance of integrity and transparency in the examination process, assuring that the panel and staff were committed to upholding its sanctity. He also outlined rules and penalties for malpractice, adding that successful candidates would be chosen on merit for the Senior Staff Course, subject to available slots in the Department of Land Warfare.

“This examination is vital to the career growth of our officers, as its outcome will influence the future leadership of the Nigerian Army,” Aligbe said, noting that a minimum score of 50 percent in each subject is required to qualify for the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

He reminded candidates that Army Headquarters allows a maximum of three attempts, warning against malpractice and urging 100 percent pass rates. Aligbe also announced the introduction of ‘Certificates of Excellence,’ ‘Letters of Commendation,’ and cash rewards for the top three performers, with copies of the awards sent to Army Headquarters for inclusion in personal files.

Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Usman Yusuf, Commander of the Infantry Corps, thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and other senior officers for their support. He urged candidates to approach the examination with focus and diligence, stressing its impact on career progression and leadership roles while warning against malpractice.