The Senate has begun moves to repeal and reenact the Armed Forces Act, with a key provision seeking to prohibit the enlistment of persons below 18 years into Nigeria’s military.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, aligns with the Child Rights Act and international humanitarian standards, aiming to end the recruitment of minors and strengthen human rights compliance within the armed forces.
Beyond the age restriction, the proposed legislation also introduces reforms to improve welfare and fairness for non-commissioned officers, extending greater rights and protections to boost morale and discipline across the ranks.
The bill further reinforces the President’s constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief while vesting day-to-day operational command in the Chief of Defence Staff — a move designed to streamline military leadership and accountability.
Once passed and assented to, the law will also empower qualified military lawyers to represent the Armed Forces in civil courts, reducing reliance on external legal counsel and strengthening institutional autonomy.
Lawmakers say the new framework marks a major step toward professionalising Nigeria’s military structure and aligning it with global defence standards.
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