The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Armed Forces Act to mandate a minimum of 15 percent female representation in Nigeria’s military.
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The proposed amendment to the Armed Forces Act, 2004 aims to guarantee gender equity in the recruitment, enlistment, training, and appointment of personnel across all branches of the armed forces.
Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, sponsor of the bill and an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Lagos State, said the legislation is designed to correct the systemic underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s military by embedding gender inclusion in the legal and administrative frameworks governing the sector.
In her legislative brief, Ogbara noted that despite Nigeria’s commitments to international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, female participation in the armed forces remains dismally low, especially in leadership and operational roles.
“The current law lacks specific provisions that promote gender inclusion or affirmative action in recruitment, training, and promotions,” she said, adding that cultural and institutional biases have long reinforced this imbalance.
The bill proposes the establishment of a Gender Monitoring Unit within the armed forces, responsible for tracking compliance and maintaining disaggregated data on gender representation. According to Ogbara, this aligns with international best practices and Nigeria’s constitutional mandate for equality and non-discrimination under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.
She emphasized that the bill is more than a legislative proposal—it is a call for justice, fairness, and national advancement.
“The inclusion of women in security architecture is not just about equality; it is a strategic imperative for operational effectiveness and legitimacy,” Ogbara stated.
The bill received unanimous support during plenary and was passed through second reading following a voice vote presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
It will now proceed to the Committee on Defence for further legislative action.
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