The Nigerian Armed Forces have officially prohibited military personnel from engaging in acts deemed contrary to the ethics of the service, including homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, and cross-dressing.
Other barred activities include body piercing, tattooing, disorderly conduct, and drunkenness, both on and off duty.
This directive is outlined in Section 26 of the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, signed by President Bola Tinubu on December 16, 2024.
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A copy of the document, obtained on Saturday, 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 or Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) group and cross-dressing, amongst others.”
It further adds, “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.”
Restrictions on personal relationships and obligations
The conditions also bar military personnel from entering into romantic 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/airman’s/airwoman’s spouse,” the document notes.
Personnel are also mandated to fulfill financial obligations such as vehicle licenses and insurance promptly. Failure to comply, including issuing dud cheques, constitutes an offence.
“An officer shall pay all just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner, especially those imposed by law and mutual contract,” it states.
Additionally, membership in secret societies or political parties is strictly prohibited. “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,” the document explains.
Prohibition of private business, misuse of government property
The conditions also forbid officers from engaging in private business ventures or using government property for personal benefit.
“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,” it emphasizes.
Officers are also prohibited from accepting gifts or favors from juniors or enlisted personnel.
However, the document does not specify the disciplinary measures or punishments for personnel who violate these directives.
