The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill that seeks to prohibit the recruitment of persons under 18 years old into the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The bill, titled Armed Forces (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025, aims to align Nigeria’s military laws with international child protection standards, including the Child Rights Act of 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 seeks to repeal the existing Armed Forces Act of 2004 and replace it with a more modern, constitutionally compliant, and operationally effective law.
Leading the debate, Senator Yar’Adua said the reform was long overdue, noting that the current law originated from a military decree that no longer fits the realities of a democratic system.
“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 stated. “This bill rebuilds the military’s legal foundation to reflect justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights.”
The bill introduces several key reforms, including:
- Expanding the definition of military offences;
- Ensuring punishments are fair and proportionate;
- Protecting the independence of courts-martial by making it a criminal offence for senior officers to interfere in military trials.
Lawmakers say the legislation will not only protect minors but also strengthen professionalism and accountability within the armed forces, ensuring that Nigeria’s military structure adheres to both national and international standards.
