Forest Guard Recruitment 2026 refers to the ongoing national initiative to recruit forest guards across Nigeria to protect forest reserves, combat illegal logging, banditry, and other criminal activity in forested areas. This recruitment exercise is part of a federal security and conservation strategy and involves collaboration between federal and state governments, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and relevant environment bodies.
At present there is no single widely recognised official national portal solely dedicated to Forest Guard recruitment that functions like CDCFIB or police recruitment systems. However, recruitment is being coordinated via state initiatives, government agencies, and the Nigerian Hunter & Forest Security Service (NHFSS) — which has published recruitment forms for the 2025/2026 cycle.
What Is Forest Guard Recruitment 2026
Forest Guard recruitment is a security and environmental protection hiring effort designed to deploy trained personnel across Nigeria’s forests. The programme was launched following national security directives aimed at enhancing forest protection, reducing criminal hideouts in forests, and supporting environmental conservation.
In late 2025, hundreds of forest guards completed training and graduated from the initial phase of the nationwide programme in states such as Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi.
Who Is Recruiting Forest Guards
NHFSS (Nigerian Hunter & Forest Security Service)
The Nigerian Hunter & Forest Security Service (NHFSS) is one of the bodies most frequently linked to forest guard recruitment. It is an organisation aimed at supporting forest security and has been mentioned in online recruitment portals and guides.
Official Website: https://nhfss.org.ng/ (used for information and recruitment updates)
Federal and State Governments
The federal government’s directive encourages states to recruit forest guards as part of their security strategies. Some states have already approved forest guard recruitment locally and deployed personnel for frontline security duties.
General Eligibility Requirements (Expected)
Although a detailed nationwide eligibility list has not been officially published, requirements from the existing 2025/2026 recruitment include:
Nigerian Citizenship: Applicants must be Nigerian citizens.
Age Requirement: Candidates are generally expected to be between 18 and 35 years old.
Educational Qualification: At minimum, a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE/WAEC/NECO) or equivalent is usually required; higher qualifications (ND, NCE, HND, B.Sc) may improve competitiveness.
Physical and Medical Fitness: Applicants must be fit for field duties and paramilitary tasks.
Good Character: No criminal convictions and of good conduct.
These criteria are aligned with other security recruitment standards and reflect what is expected for Forest Guard roles.
Documents Likely Required
Candidates should prepare the following for the application and screening phases:
National Identification Number (NIN)
Birth certificate or age declaration
O’Level certificates (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB)
Higher education certificates (if applicable)
Passport photographs
State/Local Government of Origin certificate
Any additional documents specified by state recruitment boards or NHFSS
How to Apply for Forest Guard Recruitment 2026
As of now, there is no central national application portal formally launched for the Forest Guard programme. However, recruitment information and application forms are being shared through the following:
NHFSS Online Recruitment
The NHFSS recruitment form for 2025/2026 has been shared online (portal details often referenced in recruitment guides). Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the NHFSS official site or recruitment pages that link to NHFSS information.
State Government Recruitment Boards
Some state governments announce and manage their own forest guard recruitment drives. Applicants can contact their state ministry of environment or security departments for details specific to their state.
Application Steps (Generalised)
- Visit the official recruitment page or contact point (e.g., nhfss.org.ng).
- Create an application profile using a valid email address and phone number.
- Complete the recruitment form, providing accurate personal and educational information.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Submit the form before the stated deadline.
- Print or save the confirmation or acknowledgement slip.
- Await shortlist announcements and screening instructions.
Always confirm the official source of the recruitment link — valid government portals and verified agency sites only.
Application Closing Date
As of now, no official closing date has been widely published for Forest Guard recruitment 2026 on a national portal. Some unofficial sources suggest deadlines existed for 2025/2026 documents, but the federal government has not confirmed a single closing date for the nationwide process.
If an official portal opens for 2026, the closing date will be displayed on the recruitment page before you submit your application.
Forest Guard Roles and Responsibilities
Forest Guards are tasked with:
Protecting forest reserves from illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment
Supporting national security by flushing out bandits and other criminal actors in forested regions
Assisting security agencies with patrols and surveillance
Ensuring environmental conservation and habitat protection
Important Alerts
No central portal for Forest Guard recruitment has been officially confirmed by federal authorities; applicants should exercise caution with unofficial sites. Official recruitment notices are typically published by government agencies and verified media. Avoid any site or person demanding payment in exchange for job placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Forest Guard Recruitment 2026 in Nigeria?
It is a security and environmental protection recruitment programme designed to hire personnel dedicated to forest conservation and security duties. Recruitment efforts span federal directives and state initiatives.
Is there an official portal for Forest Guard recruitment?
As of now, there is no single official national recruitment portal for Forest Guard recruitment; information is often shared via NHFSS or state government channels.
Who can apply for Forest Guard jobs?
Qualified Nigerians aged between 18 and 35 with at least SSCE or equivalent, who are physically and medically fit, can apply.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the official NHFSS portal (when open) or via state recruitment boards, following the instructions provided.
Is Forest Guard recruitment free?
Yes. Legitimate recruitment processes do not require payment. Any demand for money is fraudulent.
When is the deadline for Forest Guard recruitment 2026?
No official nationwide closing date has been set. Applicants should monitor the official channels for announcements once a portal opens.