News September 29, 2026 Tinubu: I promised Nigerians credit-based economy

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to moving Nigeria towards a credit-based economy.

The President gave the assurance in a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday.

Tinubu said the initiative would include the establishment of a loan guarantee scheme aimed at helping small businesses overcome barriers to accessing finance.

He said the scheme would make it easier for small businesses to obtain credit and support their growth.

According to the President, a worker with access to credit could buy what the family needs and pay over time, and a small business can invest today against the income it expects tomorrow.

“When I sought your mandate, I promised to move Nigeria towards a credit-based economy and to establish a loan guarantee scheme that would help small businesses overcome the barriers that keep them from finance.

“That promise was about something practical. We have been building the institutions to make that possible. Through CREDICORP, working Nigerians can access consumer credit.

“Our students can finance their education through NELFUND, while the Bank of Industry and Development Bank of Nigeria continue to lend to businesses.

“The National Credit Guarantee Company takes on one of the hardest barriers to business credit,” he tweeted.

News Politics September 29, 2026 2027: Let Nigerians choose leaders, Onaiyekan tells INEC

Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has, again, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission and political actors to ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders in a free, fair and credible 2027 election.

Cardinal Onaiyekan stated this on Monday in Abuja when he received the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and the Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

He urged the electoral umpire and political stakeholders to abide by the rules governing elections and ensure that Nigerians were allowed to freely choose their leaders.

He also called on security agencies to maintain professionalism during the 2027 elections, warning against actions that could create tension or turn the country into a “war zone” because of the polls.

Onaiyekan stated, “There’s not much one can do, but all we can do is to remind people about the basic principles of a free, fair, and credible election.

“I hope that people, both the political gladiators and I hate the word, because gladiators are not very nice actors- political competitors on the field.

“And the umpire, that is the INEC. When I say the political actors, I include the government, because the government has a party that is also in the race. All of them, if they will follow the rules that we have made for ourselves, things will work well.”

On the efforts of the National Peace Committee, Onaiyekan said the committee had done its best to promote peaceful elections, including organising the signing of a peace accord by political actors committing themselves to responsible conduct.

He, however, expressed concern that some political actors had violated such commitments, saying he remained hopeful that the 2027 elections would be better.

Onaiyekan added that Nigeria’s elections had not improved significantly since 1999.

He continued, “I don’t think it has been improving. And if you look, for example, at the voter party figures, it’s not encouraging. Professor Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, has promised us that he’s going to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.

“So, to the INEC chairman, don’t tie your own hand. Do the right thing. The President says you are free. He’s not going to put undue pressure on you to do the wrong thing.

“So everybody must be responsible for what they do. And so there will be no room for people to be looking for excuses for not doing the right thing.

“You don’t need AI to have a free and fair election. We have practical rules. Let them do that. Let Nigerians, for once, there are only once in four years. Let us as individuals talk and take our decision about who rules us. They should allow us to enjoy that right to choose who we want to rule us.”

Speaking during the visit, the Ariwoola-led Council of the Wise urged Onaiyekan to intensify calls on politicians to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

The council also asked politicians to avoid hate speech, rancour and inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.

The former CJN urged political parties and candidates to abide by their constitutions, codes of conduct and INEC guidelines.

He stated, “Your Eminence, the main purpose of the council’s visit to you is to appreciate the fatherly role you have been playing in Nigeria and to request you to double your efforts in appealing to the Nigerian politicians to always listen to their own wise counsel during the upcoming political campaigns to have peaceful, free, fair and successful 2027 elections.

“It is also important for His Eminence to call on all candidates to ensure that the political campaigns are devoid of rancour, hate speech, inflammatory and unguided utterances capable of instigating violence. Nigeria deserves peaceful, transparent 2027 elections.

“The council will be very grateful if His Eminence would join it in appealing to the leaderships of political parties in Nigeria to always abide by the codes of conduct and constitutions of their respective parties so that they could earn the trust and respect of the electorate.

“It is also important to remind all candidates that as responsible Nigerians who aspire to secure the mandate to lead the country as a whole, exemplary conduct and inspiring attitude are expected from them at all times.

“They should lead in compelling members of their political parties and supporters to fully comply with the electoral laws and guidelines issued by the electoral umpire, to develop a culture of integrity and trust.”

The council comprises prominent Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones and is mandated to engage stakeholders, promote national unity and strengthen democratic governance.

PUNCH

News Politics September 29, 2026 Obi makes U-turn, says he’ll restore petrol subsidy

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says his administration will restore petroleum subsidy after tackling corruption in the country.

NAN reports that Obi spoke on Monday at a town hall organised for the Obi/Kwankwaso presidential ticket in Sokoto.

The former governor of Anambra had, in August, reiterated his support for the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Speaking at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) 2026 conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, Obi had said the mismanagement of the gains from the removal by the current administration was not enough reason to bring back the subsidy.

“I subscribe and maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds shouldn’t be the reason for not removing it,” the former governor of Anambra said.

However, at the Sokoto gathering, Obi said corruption, rather than subsidy, remained the major challenge confronting Nigeria.

“People are talking about subsidy, but what is all about it is corruption. By removing the corruption, I assure you that we will bring back subsidy,” he said.

“The problem of Nigeria is corruption; as such, if elected, we will stop all forms of corruption in every sector of the country.”

Obi urged Nigerians to use the 2027 general election to vote for NDC candidates at all levels, saying it is a collective responsibility to address the country’s recurring challenges.

The former governor of Anambra said the party is committed to providing what he described as a “politics of care and service to Nigerians.”

He also expressed concerns over the economic situation of Nigerians, promising to deploy the country’s resources to improve security, education and other sectors of the economy.

“Education is our number one priority after unity and security,” Obi said.

Obi promised to connect all state capitals with railway lines to facilitate economic activities and boost development.

Also speaking, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC vice-presidential candidate, said the visit was to meet with the people of Sokoto and seek their support and cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano, said they had earlier visited Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, who prayed for the success of the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket and conveyed his goodwill.

He said although various parts of Nigeria are facing challenges, the north-west had become a major hotspot for banditry and kidnapping.

“We are, therefore, committed to mitigating all these challenges and make Nigeria better,” he said.

The development comes as debate continues over the impact of the current administration’s petrol subsidy removal.

Last Thursday, Kwankwaso had said NDC would reintroduce fuel subsidy in a different form if elected in 2027.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News, the former governor of Kano said the party would adopt a different approach to subsidy, including expanding domestic refining capacity.

“We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” he had said.

“There are many ways. One, I can tell you now, we have a refinery built by a businessman. And I’m sure more refineries would be built.”

His remark followed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president.

Atiku, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADC), argued that the Bola Tinubu administration had failed to account for the funds saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy.

However, Tinubu faulted the argument, saying Atiku’s proposal showed “serious ignorance of governance and economy” and noting that before he assumed office, some states struggled to pay salaries and pensions.

News Politics September 29, 2026 Court hears Atiku’s motion seeking to amend suit against Tinubu, APC

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday fixed Oct. 13 for hearing of an application filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), seeking to amend his suit against President Bola Tinubu and All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date to allow parties in the suit to regularise their processes.

When the case was called on Monday, Joseph Silas, who appeared for Atiku and ADC, told the court that though he had received responses from other respondents, he was yet to get President Tinubu’s counter affidavit to their motion to amend the suit.

However, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, lawyer to the President, informed the court that their counter affidavit was served on the plaintiffs on Sept. 24 and acknowledged by the office of the plaintiffs’ counsel.

Justice Ekwo equally confirmed the proof of service filed by Olanipekun.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 13 for hearing of the motion to amend the originating summons filed by Atiku and ADC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku and ADC had, in the main suit, urged Justice Inyang Ekwo to disqualify President Tinubu and APC from the 2027 presidential election.

They had questioned Tinubu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by APC.

The plaintiffs, who sued the president, APC and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, alleged that APC submitted the president’s forged NYSC discharge certificate to INEC.

They, therefore, prayed the court to compel INEC to remove Tinubu and APC’s names from the list of candidates and parties for the presidential poll.

President Tinubu and APC, in their joint counter affidavit filed on Sept. 9, prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety for being incompetent and that the plaintiffs lacked the legal right to institute the case.

They denied submitting any forged certificate to INEC either for the 2023 or 2027 presidential elections.

The duo, through the APC’s Director of Legal Services, Mr Sanusi Samaila, averred that they did not submit any Form CF001 to INEC for the 2023 or 2027 polls as claimed by the plaintiffs.

They stated that the NYSC has never denied issuing the discharge certificate to the 1st defendant at the end of his service year.

They submitted that it is a settled law that the evidence required to prove that a certificate is forged is a disclaimer from the institution that is said to have issued the certificate, citing a previous Supreme Court decision to back their argument.

They urged the court to uphold their preliminary objection and dismiss the suit.

INEC, in its preliminary objection filed on Sept. 7 by its lawyer, Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, also challenged the competence of the suit on the grounds of statute-bar, want of locus standi, absence of a reasonable cause of action and abuse of court process.

The commission argued that the plaintiffs failed to comply with the mandatory written deposition requirement under Paragraph 7(1) of the Federal High Court Pre-Election Practice Directions (Amendment) 2026.

The electoral umpire equally challenged the impropriety of Reliefs 2 and 3 in Atiku and ADC’s originating summons, urging the court to dismiss the suit.

Atiku and ADC, however, approached the court with a motion on notice on Sept. 10, seeking an amendment to the suit.

They said the application was brought pursuant to Paragraph 7(8) of the FHC (Pre-election) Practice Directions, 2006 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

In the two reliefs, they sought an order granting leave to them to amend their originating summons.

They also prayed the court for an order deeming the amended originating summons filed upon their application as properly filed amended originating summons.

Giving four grounds why their application should be granted, the applicants said they filed the suit on Aug. 14, seeking the reliefs contained in the originating summons.

Atiku and ADC said that after filing the originating summons, they noticed a few errors, especially on the nomenclature of the INEC forms attached to their affidavit which was referred to as Form CF001, instead of the now Form EC9A.

They said there was also the need to specifically set out the particulars of the alleged fraud in their affidavit, including a written deposition of the 1st plaintiff (Atiku) and attaching clearer copies of Exhibits referred to, but were not available with the plaintiffs as at the time of filing the suit.

They said these would replace “the one presently attached, but is inelegant,” and that no new issue had been added to the amended originating summons and no additional prayers sought.

Besides, they submitted that as plaintiffs, they “are entitled to make this amendment in the interest of justice.”

Tinubu, in a counter affidavit filed on Sept. 24, opposed the application to amend the suit.

The President, in the counter affidavit deposed to by Moses Adoga, a litigation support officer in the law firm of Wole Olanipekun, SAN, his lead counsel, dissgreed with Atiku’s submission.

Adoga said that, contrary to the reliefs sought by Atiku in his amended originating summons marked as Exhibit “P1,” he noticed that the ADC presidential candidate also sought to amend the questions for determination and reliefs sought.

The officer said he observed that Atiku sought to introduce an entirely new relief, which was not sought in the originating summons, with which the action was initiated.

“I also observed that the plaintiffs seek to introduce new documents through the affidavit, by substituting FORM CF001 for FORM EC9, while seeking to introduce entirely new paragraphs in the supporting affidavit to the originating summons.”

According to him, the amendment sought to be made by the plaintiffs essentially attempts to alter the entire case of the plaintiffs as presented before this honourable court.

Adoga submitted that the said motion was misconceived.

“The entire facts deposed to in the affidavit in support of the motion on notice, including Paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are untrue, misconceived or skewed to mislead this honourable court.”

The officer said he observed that the plaintiffs made it clear that their purported cause of action is predicated on the documents submitted by the president to INEC.

He, however, argued that Atiku’s substantive suit is statute-barred, having been filed on Aug. 14 while the cause of action which he is challenging arose on July 11 when Tinubu’s name was submitted to INEC, even though the commission published the particulars of all presidential candidates with their submitted certificates on Aug. 1.

According to him, the timeline for institution of actions is prescribed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and not the Practice Direction of this Honourable Court.

“The Practice Direction does not entitle any party to file or seek to amend their originating summons upon the expiration of the time prescribed by the constitution for the institution of the action,” he added.

Besides, he argued that contrary to Atiku’s reliefs, the amendment sought more than just “to correct errors of description of documents.”

“Further to the above, the attempt to ‘set out the particulars of fraud in the affidavit’ is an admission to the fact that the previously filed originating summons contained no such particulars, thus rendering same incompetent.

Adoga submitted that an incompetent originating process cannot be amended.

He stated further that the proposed amended originating summons clearly indicated that an additional prayer is being sought therein.

Adoga prayed the court to dismiss the motion for amendment in the interest of justice.

APC equally opposed the motion to amend the suit.

NAN earlier reported that INEC had also opposed Atiku’s motion to amend the suit.

The commission, in a counter affidavit to the plaintiffs’ motion on notice for amendment filed on Sept. 10, said its preliminary objection, filed on Sept. 7 and served on the plaintiffs, is still pending and undetermined.

Mendie Akpan, a litigation secretary in the law firm of Alex Izinyon & Co, who deposed to the counter affidavit, argued that Atiku’s motion to amend and the proposed amended originating summons is seeking to substitute or bring in a new cause of action.

She further submitted that the motion sought to attach a written deposition not filed within the constitutionally prescribed period, reformulate reliefs and cure the CF001/EC9 confusion.

The lawyer argued that the proposed amendment, if granted, would have the effect of introducing a fresh or different cause of action.

Alternatively, she said it would have the effect of curing a jurisdictional defect, after the expiration of the 14-day period prescribed by Section 285(9) of the Constitution for instituting a pre-election suit.

The matter is expected to be heard by Justice Ekwok on Monday, Sept. 28. (NAN)

 

News September 29, 2026 Ganduje congratulates Abba on Kano’s NECO feat, says success builds on solid foundation

Former Kano State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has congratulated Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the people of Kano State on the state’s performance in the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, describing the achievement as the product of sustained investment and policy continuity.

Kano recorded the highest number of candidates who obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, with 74,413 candidates, ahead of Lagos State with 72,496 and Oyo State with 55,543.

The result marks the second consecutive year Kano has topped the national ranking on that performance benchmark.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by his Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, Ganduje described the development as encouraging and a positive signal for the future of education in Kano and the wider northern region.

He said the achievement demonstrated that sustained investment, consistent policies and commitment by successive administrations could deliver measurable improvements in the education sector.

“Progress builds on a solid foundation,” Ganduje said, acknowledging the efforts of the current administration under Governor Yusuf, particularly increased budgetary allocations to education, sponsorship of students for NECO and other examinations, recruitment of teachers and renovation of schools.

However, the former governor stressed that the latest achievement should be viewed within the broader context of successive investments and reforms in the state’s education sector.

He said his administration contributed to the foundation through the implementation of free and compulsory basic education, the establishment of Education Promotion Committees from the state to ward levels, the strengthening of the State Education Trust Fund, infrastructure development and teacher training across the 44 local government areas.

“Kano’s performance is not accidental. It is the outcome of continuity in policy and deliberate investment, with the present administration building on what was already on ground. This is how development should work,” he said.

Ganduje congratulated the students, teachers, parents, school administrators and other stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the achievement, urging them to sustain the momentum and ensure that Kano remains competitive in national educational assessments.

He also called for education to be insulated from partisan politics, insisting that achievements in the sector should be regarded as a collective success belonging to the people of Kano rather than any particular political administration.

The former governor urged successive governments to sustain and strengthen policies and programmes aimed at improving access to quality education, enhancing teachers’ capacity and upgrading learning infrastructure.

He said continued collaboration and policy consistency would be critical to consolidating the state’s educational gains and ensuring that more children have access to quality education.

The statement was signed by Comrade Muhammad Garba, Chief of Staff to the former APC National Chairman and former Governor of Kano State.

News September 29, 2026 FG targets 5 million Nigerians for poverty exit as NPRDS training, empowerment programme hits Oyo

The Federal Government has launched another phase of its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRDS) training and empowerment programme in Oyo State, targeting five million Nigerians for poverty reduction through skills acquisition, artificial intelligence (AI), vocational training and entrepreneurship.

The initiative, which commenced in the Federal Capital Territory before expanding to other states, is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to equip Nigerians with practical skills, improve employability and create sustainable income-generating opportunities.

Speaking at the programme in Ibadan on Monday, September 28, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), Dr. Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative was designed to help millions of Nigerians escape poverty within the next four years.

“What we want to do, and what the President wants to do, is to move as many people out of poverty as possible,” Arogundade said.

She explained that the programme goes beyond conventional training by connecting beneficiaries to organisations, business opportunities and other platforms that could enable them to begin earning a livelihood immediately after completing their training.

Arogundade disclosed that 200 participants were undergoing training in Oyo State, while 500 devices were being provided under the intervention, bringing the direct empowerment target to 700 beneficiaries.

She, however, stressed that the programme’s impact was expected to extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries through a multiplier effect, urging participants to share their knowledge and skills with others in their communities.

According to her, the national target is to lift five million Nigerians out of poverty over the next four years, with various government offices and ministries collaborating to implement the strategy across the country.

The 10-day training programme, scheduled to run from September 28 to October 9, 2026, combines technology-driven learning with practical vocational skills and entrepreneurship development.

Arogundade urged participants to attend all sessions, take the training seriously and continuously improve their skills, describing them as potential agents of change in their communities.

“Don’t use it as a one-man solution or one-man empowerment. There’s a multiplier effect. Train your neighbours, train your community people, and also continue to impact and learn more,” she advised.

AI Training Targets Emerging Skills Gap

A major component of the programme is training in artificial intelligence, with experts highlighting the growing importance of digital skills in the global economy.

The principal consultant of P4 Change Consultants and keynote speaker, Mrs. Oluronke Shonubi, said countries such as the United States and China were investing heavily in AI applications across manufacturing, agriculture, automobile production and other sectors.

She commended the Federal Government for investing in the upskilling of young Nigerians, particularly in the responsible and ethical use of AI.

Shonubi said the training would equip participants with knowledge they could apply to their careers, develop professional portfolios, establish businesses and improve their competitiveness in the labour market.

She added that AI skills could open up opportunities for self-employment while helping young Nigerians meet the changing demands of employers.

The consultant called for sustained investment in AI training and public awareness, noting that many Nigerians were still unfamiliar with the technology and its practical applications.

She stressed the need for more training opportunities to enable Nigerians to adapt to rapid technological changes and take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.

Beneficiary Eyes Career in AI Engineering

One of the beneficiaries, Olaleye Idowu, a graphic designer and 400-level International Relations student of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, described the programme as an opportunity to upgrade his skills and deliver greater value to his clients.

Idowu said the opening day’s sessions introduced participants to the fundamentals of AI, its applications, benefits and potential to improve productivity.

He disclosed that he had previously considered transitioning fully into the technology sector and saw the programme as an opportunity to begin building the skills required to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

The beneficiary commended the Federal Government for the initiative, saying it could help bridge the gap between the skills young people possess and those demanded by the modern labour market.

Looking ahead to the next five years, Idowu said he hoped to become a professional AI prompt engineer and pledged to train and employ others as he advanced in his career.

85 Participants to Graduate as Certified Makeup Artists

Beyond digital technology, the Oyo intervention is also equipping beneficiaries with vocational skills, including professional makeup artistry.

A makeup artist and Chief Executive Officer of Chuchu’s Glamour, Rukayat Muhammad, who is serving as a trainer, said participants were being trained in makeup techniques, product selection, sanitation and the fundamentals of professional makeup artistry.

She disclosed that 85 participants were expected to graduate as certified makeup artists, with equipment and products to support their transition into professional practice.

According to her, makeup artistry remains a viable vocation through which beneficiaries can establish businesses and earn sustainable incomes, provided they practise consistently, improve their skills and market their services effectively.

Muhammad urged participants to approach the training with commitment, describing the knowledge and equipment they would receive as investments in their future.

She also commended the Federal Government, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on TVEE and other officials involved in the initiative for supporting the programme.

She disclosed that the national intervention would be extended to other states, with applications for subsequent training programmes to be made available online.

Muhammad added that the skills offered would vary from state to state, depending on the needs and structure of each programme.

Building Sustainable Livelihoods Through Skills and Enterprise

The Ibadan phase of the NPRDS intervention brings together digital technology, vocational training and entrepreneurship as part of the Federal Government’s strategy to expand economic opportunities and reduce poverty.

By combining practical training with equipment support and potential access to employment and business opportunities, the programme seeks to help beneficiaries translate newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.

The initiative also places emphasis on community-level impact, encouraging participants to pass on their knowledge, train others and create opportunities for additional people to benefit.

With a national target of five million Nigerians over four years, the Federal Government is positioning skills development and entrepreneurship as key components of its poverty-reduction drive.

News September 29, 2026 Nigerian Navy opens 2026 batch 39 recruitment exercise

The Nigerian Navy has announced the commencement of its 2026 recruitment exercise for Batch 39 of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School.

According to the recruitment guideline, the exercise will run from October 2 to October 31, 2026, with qualified applicants expected to complete their applications online through the Nigerian Navy’s official recruitment portal, as reported in a post on its X handle on Monday.

The Navy said the recruitment process is free of charge, warning applicants against making payments to individuals claiming to facilitate recruitment.

“Online registration and other recruitment processes are free of charge, and no payment should be made at any point to anyone throughout the Exercise,” the Navy said.

The recruitment is open to eligible Nigerian citizens by birth who possess a National Identification Number (NIN) and meet the specified educational, age, physical and medical requirements.

Applicants are required to meet minimum height requirements of 1.69 metres for males and 1.65 metres for females. They must also be medically, psychologically and physically fit and have no previous criminal conviction.

For applicants with O’Level qualifications, the Navy said candidates must be between 18 and 22 years as of December 31, 2026, and possess at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, in not more than two sittings.

The guideline also provides age and qualification requirements for applicants with OND/NCE certificates, tradesmen, applicants in medical-related professions and sportsmen and women.

The Navy further directed successful applicants to print their acknowledgement, parent or guardian consent, Local Government attestation and guarantor’s certification forms after completing the online application.

It added that the date and venues for the recruitment examination would be communicated to applicants in due course.

The Navy advised interested applicants to obtain further information from its recruitment portal when the application opens on October 2.

“Only a single valid application is permitted; multiple online applications shall be disqualified,” the guideline stated.

The Navy also warned that applicants must be able to communicate in basic English, noting that inability to do so could lead to disqualification at any stage of the recruitment process.