Senate Reforms Military Law, Bans Minors from Enlistment

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

The provision, which outlaws the enlistment of minors, aligns Nigeria’s military recruitment 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 seeks to repeal the existing Armed Forces Act of 2004 and replace it with a constitutionally compliant and operationally responsive law for the nation’s military.

Leading the debate, Yar’Adua described the reform as “long overdue,” noting that the current legislation, inherited from a military decree, no longer meets the demands of democratic governance or modern 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.

This bill rebuilds the military’s legal foundation to reflect justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights,” he said.

The proposed legislation introduces far-reaching reforms, including:

. A clear ban on recruiting persons below 18 years;
. Expansion of military offences and proportionate punishments;
.  Protection of courts-martial independence by criminalizing interference from superior officers;
 . Permission for legally qualified military officers to represent the Armed Forces in civil courts; and
. Creation of a standing litigation fund for efficient legal representation.

It also modernizes the penalty system by replacing obsolete fines some as low as ₦200 or ₦500 with percentage-based sanctions tied to an offender’s salary, ensuring penalties remain deterrent and economically relevant.

The bill further clarifies the military chain of command, strengthening civilian oversight in line with Section 218 of the Constitution. It vests day-to-day operational control of the Armed Forces in the Chief of Defence Staff, under the authority of the President, thereby eliminating command ambiguities and reaffirming civilian supremacy.

The legislation has been referred to the Senate Joint Committee on Army, Navy, and Air Force for further consideration, with a report expected in four weeks.