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The Digest:

The Nigerian Armed Forces has enacted stringent new regulations under the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, prohibiting commissioned officers from marrying foreigners or naturalized Nigerians. The rules also ban marriages between commissioned and non-commissioned personnel, with violations carrying mandatory discharge from service.

Key Points:
  • The new HTACOS 2024 document supersedes the previous 2017 regulations
  • Commissioned officers barred from marrying foreign nationals
  • Marriage between officers and soldiers/ratings/airwomen is prohibited
  • Officers must seek approval before marriage and undergo spouse vetting
  • Regulations aimed at protecting national security and classified information
  • Retired military officials are divided on the necessity
  • Rules subject to review after five years
As the military strengthens its internal governance, these marriage restrictions highlight the ongoing tension between personal freedoms and national security, an institutional storm where loyalty is both professional and personal.

Sources: Daily Trust