The Nigerian Senate has taken a major step toward protecting children’s rights by passing the Armed Forces (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025, for second reading. The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit the recruitment of anyone under 18 into the Nigerian military.
Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua of Katsina Central, the bill aims to replace the existing Armed Forces Act of 2004 with a modern version aligned with contemporary democratic values and constitutional standards. The reforms also seek to address current security challenges more effectively while ensuring compliance with national and international child protection frameworks, 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.
The new law emphasizes justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights within the military system. It introduces comprehensive reforms such as an expanded definition of military offences, proportionate disciplinary measures, and stronger safeguards to protect the independence of courts-martial. A key feature is the criminalization of undue interference by senior officers, which is intended to prevent misuse of authority within the ranks.
According to Yar’Adua, the bill will modernize the legal framework governing Nigeria’s armed forces, which is largely based on outdated military decrees, and ensure that recruitment and operations reflect current democratic and human rights standards.
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