Senate Approves Bill to Ban Recruitment of Under-18s into Nigerian Military
The Nigerian Senate has advanced the Armed Forces (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025 for a second reading, signaling a major step toward prohibiting the recruitment of individuals under 18 into the country’s military.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua of Katsina Central, proposes repealing the Armed Forces Act of 2004 and replacing it with a modern framework that aligns with Nigeria’s democratic values and current security needs.
The legislation also brings Nigeria’s military laws in line with international and regional 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.
Senator Yar’Adua said the reform was long overdue, emphasizing that the existing law, rooted in a military-era decree, no longer reflects democratic principles.
“Our armed forces are a symbol of unity and pride, but the laws guiding them have not evolved with our democracy. This bill rebuilds the military’s legal foundation to reflect justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights,” he said.
In addition to banning underage enlistment, the bill introduces significant reforms, including clearer definitions of military offences, fairer punishments, and stronger protection for courts-martial by criminalising interference from superior officers — a measure aimed at preventing abuse of authority within the armed forces.
