Army begins 2026 senior staff course qualifying exams

The Nigerian Army has commenced the 2026 Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, urging members of the Examination Panel to uphold professionalism, integrity and diligence throughout the assessment process.

According to a post on the Nigerian Army’s X handle and sighted by PidomNigeria Online on Wednesday, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Training and Doctrine Command Nigeria Army, Felicia Daniel, the examination, which began on Sunday, August 2 2026, is being conducted simultaneously at the Nigerian Defence Academy Post Graduate School, Kaduna, and the Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.

Representing the Chief of Army Staff at the opening ceremony, the Examination President and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army, Major General Peter Malla, charged the panel members to ensure the credibility of the Army’s examination system remained intact.

“The credibility of the Nigerian Army’s examination process must remain uncompromised,” Malla said.

He added that the panel members were selected based on “merit and competence,” urging them to maintain fairness, objectivity and strict adherence to the rules guiding the conduct of the exercise.

Malla described the SSCQE as a key requirement for career progression in the Nigerian Army, particularly for officers seeking selection into the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College and other military institutions around the world.

“The SSCQE is a critical determinant for career progression, particularly for selection into the Senior Staff Course and other institutions across the globe,” he said.

He also appreciated the Chief of Army Staff for providing the needed support for the successful conduct of the examination, assuring that TRADOC NA would continue to work towards achieving the objectives of the exercise.

“The command will work assiduously to achieve the aim and objectives of the examination and, by extension, actualise the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff,” Malla said.

The Commander, Infantry Corps Centre, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who hosted the exercise, assured participants and observers that adequate preparations had been made to ensure a smooth and secure examination.

“We have put in place robust administrative, logistical and security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examination,” Major General Mutkut said.

He commended Army Headquarters and TRADOC NA for their efforts in planning and coordinating the exercise, stressing that maintaining the credibility of the SSCQE was essential to developing future military leaders.

“The credibility of the SSCQE is vital for grooming future military leaders to tackle contemporary security challenges,” he added.

The 2026 Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination is scheduled to run from 10 to 14 August 2026.