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Nigeria’s military has enacted a new rule explicitly forbidding its members from engaging in homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, cross-dressing, and similar actions that are regarded as incompatible with the ethical standards of the armed forces.
The decision has sparked debate, as it highlights the military’s commitment to a conservative interpretation of its moral framework, while drawing sharp lines around what is considered acceptable behavior.
Nigeria’s military personnel are now also prohibited from engaging in body piercing, tattooing, disorderly conduct, and excessive drinking, whether on duty or off.
This comprehensive policy aims to ensure that all members of the armed forces adhere to a high standard of discipline and personal conduct, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to maintaining order and professionalism at all times.
Outlined in Section 26 of the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, this new policy was ratified by President Bola Tinubu on December 16, 2024. The move represents a critical update to the military’s framework, setting clearer boundaries for conduct both on and off duty.
A portion of the document, which was obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, reads, “An officer is forbidden from engaging in homosexuality, lesbianism, and bestiality.” This declaration forms a key part of the newly revised code of conduct for military officers, underscoring the armed forces’ conservative stance on personal behavior.
“He/she is not to belong to, or engage in activities of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) group and cross-dressing, amongst others.
“An officer must not engage in body piercing and tattooing of any part of his body. An officer shall not engage in any form of disorderly behaviour, brawl, or any action of public disgrace. An officer must not at any time be drunk whether on or off duty.”
The condition of service also forbids the involvement of officers in amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses.
“An officer shall not engage in any amorous relationship with any soldier/rating/airman/airwoman, fellow officer’s or soldier’s/rating’s/airmen’s/air women’s spouse, “ it stated.
The military personnel are obligated to pay financial dues, including vehicle licenses and insurance on time, while they are prohibited from joining secret societies or political parties.
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“An officer shall pay all just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner, especially those imposed by law and mutual contract. It is a very serious offence for an officer to be apprehended for failure to license or insure his vehicle, and other legal financial obligations. In the same vein, the issuance of a dud cheque constitutes an offence.
The document read further, “An officer shall not hold membership of any secret society or political party. He shall not participate, in any way, in activities concerned with such societies or parties even in observatory capacities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, since cultural or purely traditional religious societies are not normally secret by membership or in the conduct of their affairs, they are ipso-facto excluded from belonging to secret societies.”
Having a private business, and misuse of government property for personal gain are also prohibited for serving personnel.
“An officer shall not engage in private business. He shall not use or be allowed to use government property, his name, position and connection in any way with commercial enterprises outside employment or activity with or without compensation, which interfere or has the tendency of interfering with his official duty or which may be reasonably expected to bring discredit to the Service.
“An officer shall not accept gifts, favours, entertainments, etc, from officers junior to him in rank or from soldiers/ratings/airmen/airwomen,” the condition of service added.
The punishments or disciplinary measures against any personnel who violate the rules were, however, not stated.