The Nigerian House of Representatives made a move towards promoting gender inclusivity within the nation’s military institutions. The House passed for second reading a bill that seeks to mandate a minimum enlistment quota of 15 percent for women across all branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
This legislative effort aims to address the long-standing and glaring underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s military, signaling a progressive move towards institutionalised gender equity in national security.
The proposed amendment targets the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and is sponsored by Kafilat Ogbara, the representative of the Kosofe Federal Constituency in Lagos State.
Ogbara emphasized the urgent need to reform the existing legal framework, highlighting that the current Act lacks explicit provisions to promote gender inclusiveness.
This legislative gap, she explained, has allowed cultural and institutional biases to persist, resulting in systemic exclusion and marginalization of women from meaningful participation in military service.
During the parliamentary debate, Ogbara underscored that “the current legal framework lacks specific provisions that guarantee gender inclusion or affirmative action.” She stressed that this absence has contributed directly to the significant underrepresentation of women in the armed forces.
Her advocacy draws attention to the importance of embedding gender equity within the very fabric of military recruitment, appointment, and promotion processes to ensure that women have equal opportunities to serve and advance.
Furthermore, Ogbara linked the bill to international and national commitments Nigeria has undertaken. She cited the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, as well as Nigeria’s own National Action Plan for the resolution’s implementation.
Both frameworks strongly advocate for the enhanced participation of women in all national security structures. The bill, therefore, aligns Nigeria’s military policy with these global standards and commitments.
The proposed amendment not only seeks to legislate a minimum quota of 15 percent female representation but also aims to create a comprehensive gender-responsive compliance framework.
This framework includes the establishment of a dedicated gender-monitoring unit tasked with overseeing adherence to the new policies. Additionally, it mandates the systematic collection of disaggregated data by gender to track progress and identify areas needing improvement.
It also envisions reforms in critical areas such as training, accommodation, logistics, deployment, and disciplinary procedures to ensure that the military environment supports the unique needs and rights of female personnel.
Ogbara described the bill as a transformative initiative that would help evolve the Nigerian Armed Forces into a more inclusive, accountable, and operationally effective institution.
She stated, “By institutionalising a minimum threshold for female representation and mandating a robust system of monitoring, we align our military practices with both national and international legal obligations.”
She emphasized that these reforms are not merely symbolic but fundamental to enhancing the professionalism and effectiveness of the military.
In addition to the international frameworks, Ogbara pointed out that the bill is firmly grounded in Nigeria’s constitutional principles. Specifically, it is consistent with Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on gender, among other factors.
The bill also supports Nigeria’s obligations under international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), to which Nigeria is a signatory. This alignment further strengthens the legal and moral imperative for the bill’s passage.
Describing the legislation as a “strategic legislative intervention,” Ogbara urged her colleagues in the House to recognize that the bill transcends issues of gender alone. She argued that it represents a broader commitment to justice, professionalism, and national progress.
In her words, “In a world where modern security challenges demand diverse perspectives and inclusive strategies, our armed forces must reflect the full strength of our population—men and women alike.”
She called on legislators to view their support as a vote for fairness, enhanced military professionalism, and the fulfillment of both Nigeria’s constitutional and international responsibilities.
Looking ahead, the bill will proceed to a public hearing in the coming weeks. This stage will provide an important platform for key stakeholders—including military authorities, civil society organizations, and gender advocates—to contribute their perspectives and expertise.
The input gathered during this process will be critical in refining the bill before it is formally enacted into law, marking a historic milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward gender equality in the military.