On January 12, 2025, a popular blog and handle on X, @YabaLeftOnline posted a claim saying that President Tinubu has approved a ban on homosexuality and other forms of vices within the military.
The post which was shared with a picture of the president had the caption: “President Tinubu approves ban on homosexu@lity, Lesbianism and others in military”. This post has amassed 1.6 million views, about 880 comments, over 2,700 reposts and quotes, 25,000 likes and 510 bookmarks as at the time of this report was published.
OLUWAFEMI in the comment section said “The US effect. 🤣 His beginning to get things right 👍”, while another user, @onah_oj wrote: “They should let people do what they want ..this is not right”. Due to the controversy surrounding the claim and how viral it has become on X, NV-A went ahead to fact-check the claim.
VERIFICATION
NV-A’s verification using keyword search turned up news articles regarding the claim.
According to the Punch newspaper, “Nigeria’s military personnel are now expressly prohibited from engaging in homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, cross-dressing, and other acts deemed contrary to the ethics of the armed forces. The personnel are equally barred from body piercing, tattooing, disorderly behaviour, and drunkenness on or off duty.”
“This directive is contained in Section 26 of the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service signed by President Bola Tinubu on December 16, 2024. The document also emphasizes that officers must fulfill financial obligations promptly, refrain from joining secret societies or political parties, and avoid engaging in private business or misusing government property for personal gain. While these prohibitions are clearly stated, the specific punishments or disciplinary measures for violations are not detailed in the document.”
According to the Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, HAFCTCS, obtained from the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, Nigeria, section 81 on Sodomy states that:
(1) A person subject to service law under this Act who-
(a) has carnal knowledge of a person against the order of nature; or
(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or
(c) permits a person to have carnal knowledge of him against the order of nature, is guilty of an offence under this section.
(2) A person subject to service law under this Act who, whether in public or private, commits an act of gross indecency with any other person or procures another person to commit an act of gross indecency with him or attempts to procure the commission of an act of gross indecency by any person with himself or with another person whether in public or private, is guilty of an offence under this section.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable, on conviction by a court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or any less punishment provided by this Act.
The report on the president’s approval was also reported by Nigerian Tribune, Daily Post, Daily Trust, Vanguard Nigeria, Arise News, This Day Nigeria,
According to the Armed Forces Act, the president granting approval for the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service is in line with the holder of the office being the chairman of the Armed Forces Council and is responsible [under the general authority of the President] for the command, discipline and administration of, and for all other matters relating to the Armed Forces.
CONCLUSION
The claim that president Tinubu has approved a ban on homosexuality and other forms of vices within the military is TRUE as findings show that the President presided over the National Defense Council meeting in December 2024 and approved the new Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service (HAFCTCS).
