President Tinubu Approves Revised Armed Forces Rules Banning LGBTQ+ Activities, Body Piercing, And Private Businesses

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has approved the revised Harmonized Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, which includes a ban on military personnel engaging in activities such as homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, cross-dressing, and other acts considered unethical within the armed forces.

According to TheNewsGuru, the prohibition is detailed in Section 26 of the revised service terms, signed by the President on December 16, 2024. Additionally, personnel are barred from body piercing, tattooing, disorderly behavior, and drunkenness, whether on or off duty.

The document states:
“An officer must not engage in homosexuality, lesbianism, and bestiality. He/she is not to belong to, or engage in activities of, the LGBTQIA2S+ group or cross-dressing, among others.
An officer must not engage in body piercing or tattooing of any part of his body. Disorderly behavior, public disgrace, or drunkenness at any time, whether on or off duty, is strictly prohibited.”

The terms also forbid amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses, stating:
“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.”

Officers are mandated to meet all financial obligations promptly, including vehicle licensing and insurance. Membership in secret societies or political parties is also prohibited, with the document specifying:
“An officer shall not hold membership of any secret society or political party. He shall not participate in activities related to such societies or parties, even in observatory capacities. However, cultural or purely traditional religious societies that are not secret by nature are excluded.”

Private business engagements and misuse of government property are equally forbidden. The document adds:
“An officer shall not engage in private business or use government property, name, or position for personal or commercial gain. Accepting gifts or favors from junior officers or subordinates is also prohibited.”

While the conditions outline the rules, specific disciplinary measures for violations were not mentioned.