NAF flags fake 2025/2026 recruitment: no exercise underway
The Nigerian Air Force has told Nigerians to ignore viral posts claiming the service has opened recruitment for the 2025/2026 Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) and Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC). In a statement issued in July 2025, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said there is no such recruitment exercise at the moment and warned the public not to engage with the messages.
His message was clear: genuine NAF recruitment is free, transparent, and strictly based on merit. The service does not charge any fee at any stage—application, shortlisting, medicals, or training—and it does not use middlemen, third-party agents, or private consultants. If anyone asks you to pay to secure a slot, it’s a scam.
NAF also explained how it communicates when there is a real intake. Official notices are publicized widely—through credible national newspapers, the service’s official website, and verified social media accounts. If an announcement is not on those platforms, treat it as false, no matter how convincing it looks or who forwards it.
The warning follows a fresh wave of fake adverts circulating on social media, targeting people eager to join the military. These posts typically promise fast-track entry, use doctored logos, and list fake deadlines to pressure applicants. Some even claim to have insiders who can “guarantee” selection for a fee.
For context, BMTC is the entry route for airmen and airwomen, while DSSC is a short-service pathway for degree holders to be commissioned as officers. Because these intakes are popular and competitive, scammers exploit the demand by selling application forms, shortlisting lists, or training “kits” that do not exist.
NAF’s message doubles down on a long-standing rule observed across the armed forces: no bribes, no backdoor, no purchases. The moment money is requested, you’re no longer dealing with the military—you’re dealing with criminals.
How the scams work and how to stay safe
Scammers have a playbook. They stand up fake recruitment portals that mimic official pages. They push broadcast messages on social apps and promise guaranteed placement if you pay an “application,” “screening,” or “medical” fee. They share bogus shortlists on random blogs, add phone numbers that route to impostors, and ask for personal documents like national ID, academic certificates, and passport photographs to look legitimate.
NAF says Nigerians should slow down, verify, and walk away from anything that doesn’t check out. Real recruitment follows an announced schedule, clear eligibility criteria, and standard screening at designated centers—never at some unmarked location and never arranged via private chats.
Here are common red flags to watch for:
- Any request for money at any point—form purchase, shortlisting fee, training fee, or “slot” payment.
- Messages sent only via closed groups or personal numbers without a matching public announcement on verified official platforms.
- Fake portals with spelling errors, strange web addresses, or pages that ask you to pay via personal accounts or transfer to unfamiliar names.
- Claims of guaranteed selection or “connection” to senior officers who can fast-track your file.
- Pressure tactics: expiring offers, late-night messages, or threats that your slot will be given to someone else if you do not pay immediately.
And here’s how to protect yourself and verify information:
- Cross-check every recruitment claim against announcements carried by credible national newspapers and NAF’s verified communication channels.
- Never send money to private accounts for forms, screening, or uniforms. NAF does not sell access or charge administrative fees.
- Do not share sensitive personal data with unknown contacts. If you already did, monitor your accounts and consider changing passwords for emails and portals tied to your ID.
- Ask for details you can verify publicly—official dates, designated screening centers, and formal reference numbers. If they dodge, it’s a red flag.
If you’ve already engaged with a suspected scam, act quickly. Preserve all evidence—screenshots, receipts, phone numbers, and account details. Contact your bank to try to block or recall transfers. Report the case to the nearest police station and notify NAF through its official public information channels. The faster you move, the better your chances of stopping further loss and helping authorities track patterns.
Recruitment scams don’t just cost money; they also harvest personal data that can be misused. Treat any unsolicited request for your National Identification Number, BVN, or academic certificates with caution. Real recruitment processes will only ask for documents after an official call for applications, and submissions will follow a structured, publicized process.
NAF’s stance is consistent: recruitment, when open, will be loudly and clearly announced in places everyone can see. Until you see that announcement, anything else—no matter how polished—is noise. If in doubt, wait. Verify. And don’t pay.