Nda & Polac Salary & Allowance Worth In 2025: Fg-Approved Guide

Explore the full breakdown of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and Nigerian Police Academy (POLAC) cadet stipends, officer salaries, and allowances in 2025. FG-approved guide for aspiring officers.

George Magnus

Senior Content Writer

Joining the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) or the Nigerian Police Academy (POLAC) is more than just enlisting into military or police training—it’s a commitment to serve the nation. But many aspiring candidates and parents often ask: “How much do cadets earn?” and “What is the salary after graduation?”

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the salary and allowances earned by cadets during their training and the starting salaries after graduation. Whether you're considering a career in the Nigerian military or police, or simply researching opportunities, this blog gives you all the verified financial insights you need.

Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Salary & Allowances – 2025

About NDA

The Nigerian Defence Academy is the premier military training institution where selected candidates are groomed into officers for the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. NDA training is rigorous and runs for 5 years, combining academic programs with military training.

NDA Cadet Monthly Stipend

While NDA cadets are not salaried like full-time officers, they receive a monthly stipend that covers basic personal expenses. Below is a breakdown:

Category	Estimated Amount (₦)	Notes
Total Monthly Stipend	50,000	Provided monthly to all cadets
Mandatory Savings	14,000	Deducted and reserved until graduation
Actual Monthly Payout	36,000	Take-home after deductions

Cadets also enjoy:

Free meals and accommodation
Free uniforms and boots
Medical care
Educational materials
Travel and field allowances during training exercises

NDA Officer Salary After Graduation

After completing the 5-year training program, NDA graduates are commissioned into the armed forces as officers, starting with the rank of Second Lieutenant (Army), Pilot Officer (Air Force), or Midshipman/Sub-Lieutenant (Navy).

Their starting monthly salaries fall within:

Rank After Graduation	Monthly Salary (₦)
Second Lieutenant (Army)	130,000 – 150,000
Pilot Officer (Air Force)	130,000 – 150,000
Midshipman (Navy)	130,000 – 150,000

With promotion, this can increase significantly over the years, often accompanied by generous allowances based on posting and duties.

Nigerian Police Academy (POLAC) Salary & Allowances – 2025

About POLAC

The Nigerian Police Academy, commonly called POLAC, is a degree-awarding institution that trains cadets to become officers in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The training lasts five years and includes both academic and police fieldwork.

POLAC Cadet Monthly Stipend

POLAC cadets receive monthly stipends that increase with their level of training:

Training Year	Monthly Stipend (₦)
Year 1 (Entry Level)	15,000 – 20,000
Years 2–3 (Mid-Level)	20,000 – 30,000
Year 4–5 (Senior Cadets)	30,000 – 35,000

Like NDA cadets, POLAC cadets benefit from:

Free accommodation and feeding
Free uniforms and study materials
Medical care
Practical training sessions

POLAC Officer Salary After Graduation

After graduating, POLAC cadets are commissioned into the Nigeria Police Force as Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP).

Rank After Graduation	Monthly Salary (₦)
Assistant Superintendent	150,000 – 200,000

This salary can vary slightly depending on deployment location and duties. It also comes with several allowances and benefits.

Standard Allowances After Commissioning

Once cadets graduate and become full officers—either in the military or police—they begin to earn a variety of allowances in addition to their basic salary.

Allowance Type	Purpose
Housing Allowance	For accommodation outside barracks
Transport Allowance	Covers logistics and personal transport
Uniform Allowance	For maintaining and replacing uniforms
Medical Allowance	Medical bills and healthcare support
Hazard/Duty Allowance	For working in high-risk areas
Command/Responsibility	For those in leadership roles
Training Allowance	For officers undergoing further training

Depending on the location and assignment, these allowances can total ₦50,000 to ₦300,000 monthly, especially for personnel in specialized or dangerous roles.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Category	NDA	POLAC
Training Duration	5 Years	5 Years
Entry Stipend	₦50,000 (₦36,000 net)	₦15,000 – ₦20,000
Mid-Training Stipend	₦50,000	₦20,000 – ₦30,000
Final-Year Stipend	₦50,000	₦30,000 – ₦35,000
Rank Upon Graduation	Second Lieutenant / Equivalent	Assistant Superintendent of Police
Starting Officer Salary	₦130,000 – ₦150,000	₦150,000 – ₦200,000
Post-Graduation Allowances	Yes	Yes
Free Meals & Accommodation	Yes	Yes
Medical & Training Benefits	Yes	Yes

FAQs – NDA & POLAC Pay 2025

1. Do NDA and POLAC cadets earn a salary or a stipend?
They earn stipends. Full salaries begin after graduation when they are commissioned as officers.

2. What is the main difference between NDA and POLAC stipends?
NDA stipends are fixed (₦50,000), while POLAC stipends increase each year, starting from ₦15,000 to ₦35,000.

3. Is the ₦14,000 NDA deduction refundable?
Yes, it's saved and returned upon graduation as a lump sum to support the transition into officer life.

4. What’s the first salary after NDA or POLAC graduation?
Graduates earn ₦130,000–₦200,000 depending on whether they join the military or police and their specific role.

5. Are cadets given housing and medical care during training?
Yes, both institutions provide free housing, feeding, and healthcare to all cadets.

6. Can graduates work outside the country?
They serve in Nigerian forces, but may be deployed internationally on peacekeeping or training missions.

Conclusion

The Nigerian Defence Academy and Nigerian Police Academy offer structured training programs with clear financial incentives. While the stipends during cadetship are modest, they’re supported by free housing, medical care, and meals. Upon graduation, new officers begin earning between ₦130,000 and ₦200,000 monthly—exclusive of bonuses and allowances.

These figures show that both NDA and POLAC not only offer disciplined, meaningful careers but also provide a respectable livelihood, especially in light of the newly implemented ₦70,000 minimum wage baseline.

Whether you're planning your career or advising a young Nigerian dreaming of service, understanding these figures will help you make informed choices. Ready to apply or need help preparing? Feel free to ask!