The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has issued a public warning after fraudulent admission letters claiming places on the academy’s 77 Regular Course began circulating online and offline. The academy said the documents, purportedly signed by the Academy Registrar, are bogus and part of an extortion scheme aimed at unsuspecting applicants.
In a statement released on Friday, Major Reuben Kovangiya, the NDA Public Relations Officer, said the legitimate admission process for the 77 Regular Course had already been completed. He told journalists that anyone receiving unsolicited correspondence offering admission should treat it with suspicion.
Nigerian Defence Academy admission scam
“The attention of the Nigerian Defence Academy has been drawn to fraudulent letters currently in circulation, purportedly signed by the Academy Registrar, offering admission into the NDA 77 Regular Course,” the statement read. “The NDA wishes to state unequivocally that the letter circulating is not only fake but obviously the antics of fraudsters, whose sole intention is to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.”
The academy explained that the authentic list of successful candidates and reserves was published in two national newspapers, Daily Trust and Daily Sun, on 19 August 2025. The list is also available on the NDA’s official website. Those documents remain the only verified record of admission decisions for the course.
According to the statement, the counterfeit letters often seek payment or personal information and may be distributed as scanned documents, image files or through social messaging platforms. The NDA stressed that no unsolicited messages offering admission should be acted on and advised applicants to confirm any communication through official channels.
Experts say such scams exploit the urgency and emotion surrounding competitive admissions. Fraudsters frequently target hopeful applicants by claiming limited-time offers or immediate enrolment to pressure victims into making payments or sharing sensitive data. The NDA’s warning is intended to protect candidates from financial loss and identity theft.
The academy urged members of the public to use several simple checks before responding to any purported admission correspondence: confirm the information on the NDA website; cross-check names of successful candidates in the official newspaper notices; and contact the NDA Public Relations Office directly using contact details on the academy’s website.
Major Kovangiya reminded applicants that all official communications bearing decisions on admission follow set procedures and are released publicly. “Verify all information only through official channels,” he said, adding that anyone who has been contacted by fraudsters should report the matter to the police and to the academy so appropriate action can be taken.
Public institutions across Nigeria and beyond frequently face similar scams during recruitment and admission seasons. Clear, early communication from the NDA and widespread media publication of official lists are part of broader measures to limit fraudulent activity and protect citizens during the admissions cycle.
The NDA’s reminder comes as a caution to prospective applicants and their families to remain vigilant. By relying on confirmed sources and reporting suspicious messages, applicants can reduce the risk of falling victim to schemes that prey on those hoping to secure places at the military academy.
Key Takeaways:
- Authorities warn of a Nigerian Defence Academy admission scam targeting applicants.
- The NDA says the 77 Regular Course admissions process concluded and the circulating letters are fake.
- Official lists were published in Daily Trust, Daily Sun and on the NDA website on 19 August 2025.
- The public is urged to verify offers only through official NDA channels and ignore unsolicited documents.
