The Nigerian Senate has passed the Armed Forces (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025 for second reading, effectively seeking to outlaw the recruitment of anyone under the age of 18 into the country’s armed forces.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), aims to repeal the current Armed Forces Act, 2004 and replace it with a new, constitutionally compliant framework that reflects modern democratic and security realities.
The proposed law aligns with key international and regional child protection standards, including 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.
While presenting the bill, Yar’Adua said the reform was long overdue, stressing that the existing law, derived from a military decree, no longer supports Nigeria’s democratic values.
“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 explained.
The legislation also proposes major 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.
