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President Bola Tinubu has approved a directive banning military personnel from engaging in homosexuality, infidelity, cross-dressing, and other prohibited behaviors.
This new regulation, contained in the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, was signed into effect on December 16, 2024, and seeks to enforce discipline and professionalism within Nigeria’s armed forces.
The document, obtained by Newsmen, explicitly outlines a range of prohibited activities that could compromise the integrity of military personnel. It states, “An officer must not engage in homosexuality, lesbianism, and bestiality. He/she is not to belong to, or engage in activities of, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) group and cross-dressing, amongst others.”
The revised code of conduct also prohibits amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses, emphasizing that such behavior is considered a serious violation of military ethics. The guidelines state, “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/airwomen’s spouse.”
Other behaviors explicitly banned include body piercing, tattooing, disorderly conduct, drunkenness (whether on or off duty), and misuse of government property for personal gain. Officers are also forbidden from engaging in private businesses, with the document warning against any commercial activity that could interfere with military duties or bring disrepute to the armed forces.
“An officer 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,” the directive adds.
To ensure accountability, the revised regulations mandate personnel to fulfill all financial obligations, including vehicle licenses and insurance, promptly. Issuing dud checks is classified as a grave offense.
In addition, military personnel are barred from joining secret societies or political parties. The document clarifies that while cultural or traditional religious societies are exempt from this ban, officers are prohibited from participating in any secret or covert groups, even in observatory capacities.
The revised conditions also extend to prohibiting the acceptance of gifts or favors from subordinates. “An officer shall not accept gifts, favors, entertainments, etc., from officers junior to him in rank or from soldiers/ratings/airmen/airwomen,” the guidelines state.
The directive does not specify the penalties for violators but underscores the military’s commitment to upholding high ethical and professional standards.
