Senate Seeks to Stop Under-18s from Joining Armed Forces

The Senate is moving to ban the enlistment of anyone under 18 into Nigeria’s Armed Forces as part of a new bill to repeal and reenact the Armed Forces Act. The initiative aims to align military recruitment with the Child’s Rights Act and international laws that prohibit minors from taking part in armed conflict.

Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, the bill also seeks to expand the rights and welfare benefits of non-commissioned officers, a step lawmakers say will help improve morale and professionalism across the military.

The proposal includes reforms to the command structure, reaffirming the President as Commander-in-Chief while granting the Chief of Defence Staff responsibility for day-to-day operational control.

If approved, the legislation will further empower qualified military lawyers to represent the Armed Forces in civil courts, enhancing the institution’s legal capacity.