Nigeria Bans Military Personnel From Marrying Foreigners, Naturalised Citizens

By ALIYU AMINU ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI (A.A.A.A.) SHEHU

THE Nigerian Armed Forces have outlawed marriages between military personnel and foreigners or naturalised Nigerians under new service regulations.

According to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, officers are also barred from marrying non-commissioned personnel such as soldiers, ratings, or airwomen. The rule, effective since December 6, 2024, mandates service chiefs to enforce strict compliance.

Chapter 25 of the document states: “No officer is allowed to marry a foreigner or a naturalised Nigerian.” Officers must also seek official approval before marriage, and their partners must undergo vetting and clearance by military authorities.

Violators face dismissal, while officers marrying subordinates must choose between continuing service or resigning.

Military experts say the rule aims to safeguard national security and prevent possible intelligence leaks through foreign spouses. A retired major general described it as a measure to “protect sensitive information and prevent divided loyalties.”

However, retired Group Captain Shehu Sadeeq called for a review, noting that other countries allow such marriages with security vetting. Civil society groups also criticised the rule as discriminatory, arguing it should only apply to top-ranking officers with access to classified information.

Human rights advocate Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim questioned the policy’s fairness, saying, “You can’t isolate the military when politicians and public officers also maintain foreign ties.”

The Armed Forces Council is expected to review the HTACOS every five years.