The Senate has moved to outlaw the recruitment of persons under the age of 18 into the military as it passed the Armed Forces (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025, for second reading.

The provision, which prohibits the enlistment of minors, aligns Nigeria’s military practices with the Child Rights Act (2003), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), seeks to repeal the existing Armed Forces Act, 2004, replacing it with a constitutionally compliant and operationally responsive law.

Leading the debate on the floor of the Senate, Yar’Adua said the reform was long overdue, underscoring that the current legislation, originally derived from a military decree, no longer meets the demands of modern governance, democratic accountability, or evolving security realities.

“Our Armed Forces are a symbol of national unity and pride, but the laws guiding them have not evolved at the same pace as our democracy. This Bill rebuilds the military’s legal foundation to reflect justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights,” the lawmaker said.