Nigeria bans homosexuals, tattoos in revised rules that also prohibit cross-dressing, tottoos, drunkenness, among others
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, cross-dressing, body piercing, tattooing, disorderly behaviour, and drunkenness, among others, have been banned from the Nigerian armed forces in a comprehensive review of the “Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service” approved by President Bola Tinubu.
The revised directive, signed on 16 December 2024, outlines strict conduct guidelines for officers, stressing professionalism and decorum on and off duty.
“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,” the documents says, per reporting by Leadership.
Body piercing and tattooing are banned, with the document insisting that “An officer must not engage in body piercing and tattooing of any part of his body.”
Also prohibited are disorderly behaviour, drunkenness, and public disgrace: “An officer shall not engage in any form of disorderly behavior, brawl, or any action of public disgrace. An officer must not at any time be drunk whether on or off duty.”
Military personnel are restricted from engaging in amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses: “An officer shall not engage in any amorous relationship with any soldier/rating/airman/airwoman, fellow officers or soldier’s/rating’s/airman’s/airwoman’s spouse.”
Financial obligations must be met promptly, and officers are prohibited from joining secret societies or political parties: “An officer shall pay all just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner, especially those imposed by law and mutual contract.
“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.”
However, cultural and traditional societies that are not secretive by nature are exempted from the restrictions.
But the document bars officers from running private businesses or misusing government property for personal gain.
“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.”
Accepting gifts, favours, or entertainment from junior officers is equally forbidden: “An officer shall not accept gifts, favours, entertainments, etc., from officers junior to him in rank or from soldiers/ratings/airmen/airwomen.”
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