President Bola Tinubu has approved a ban on homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, and cross-dressing among Nigerian military members.
These actions are considered antithetical to military principles. On or off duty, personnel have also been warned against body piercing, tattooing, unruly behaviour, and intoxication.
This was stated in Section 26 of Tinubu’s new Harmonized Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, which was signed on December 16, 2024.
“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.
“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,” it read in part.
Officers are likewise barred from engaging in sexual relationships with subordinates or their spouses.
The document, however, did not specify any fines or disciplinary steps in the event that an officer violated those regulations.