President Bola Tinubu has approved strict new conduct guidelines for Nigeria’s military personnel, prohibiting behaviors deemed contrary to the ethics and values of the armed forces. The revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, signed by President Tinubu on December 16, 2024, explicitly bans homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, cross-dressing, body piercing, tattooing, disorderly behavior, and drunkenness.
The document, obtained by our correspondent, outlines comprehensive behavioral expectations for military officers, both on and off duty. 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 or Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) group and cross-dressing, amongst others.”
Officers are also prohibited from engaging in amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses, with the directive specifically stating: “An officer shall not engage in any Tinubu Approves Ban on Homosexuality and Other Conduct in Nigerian Military relationship with any soldier/rating/airman/airwoman, fellow officer’s or soldier’s/rating’s/airmen’s/airwomen’s spouse.”
The new rules extend beyond personal behavior, emphasizing the professional and financial responsibilities of military personnel. Officers must:
- Pay financial obligations, such as vehicle licenses and insurance, on time.
- Avoid private businesses or misuse of government property for personal gain.
- Refrain from holding membership in secret societies or political parties.
The guidelines explicitly state: “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.”
Additionally, officers are barred from accepting gifts, favors, or entertainment from junior-ranking personnel to maintain discipline and respect within the ranks.
The rules clarify that while secret societies are prohibited, cultural or traditional religious societies are exempt, as they are not inherently secretive in membership or operations.
“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,” the document states.
Although the document provides detailed behavioral expectations, it does not specify the disciplinary measures or punishments for violations. This omission leaves the enforcement and consequences for breaches at the discretion of the relevant military authorities.
This directive highlights President Tinubu’s focus on instilling discipline and maintaining the integrity of the armed forces. However, some observers have raised concerns about the potential implications of banning LGBTQ+ activities and other personal behaviors, which could lead to further debates about the balance between ethical standards and human rights.
As Nigeria navigates complex social and legal dynamics, the directive underscores the government’s commitment to upholding cultural and institutional values within the military, even as broader conversations about rights and inclusivity continue to shape national discourse.
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