Senate bars underage from joining Nigerian Military

The Senate has taken a decisive step to end the recruitment of persons under the age of 18 into the Nigerian military, as it passed for second reading the Armed Forces (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025.

The proposed legislation, which expressly prohibits the enlistment of minors, seeks to align Nigeria’s military practices with the Child Rights Act, 2003, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), the bill aims to repeal the Armed Forces Act, 2004 and replace it with a more constitutionally sound and operationally responsive framework for the Nigerian military.

Leading the debate on the floor of the Senate, Yar’Adua described the reform as “long overdue,” noting that the current legislation—originally derived from a military decree—no longer meets the demands of modern governance, democratic accountability, or evolving security realities.

“Our armed forces are a symbol of national unity and pride, but the laws guiding them have not evolved at the same pace as our democracy,” Yar’Adua said. “This bill rebuilds the military’s legal foundation to reflect justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights.”

The bill introduces several far-reaching reforms, including an expanded definition of military offences, the introduction of proportionate punishments, and enhanced protection for the independence of courts-martial. It also criminalises undue interference by superior officers—a measure designed to curb abuse of power and strengthen discipline within the armed forces.