The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has struck down the military regulation requiring personnel to serve a minimum of 15 years before they can resign.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim deemed the rule unconstitutional and described it as oppressive, equating it to “modern-day slavery under the guise of national service.”
The judge held that every employee, including members of the Nigerian armed forces have the constitutional right to resign at any time.
The suit was brought by J.A. Akerele, an Airforce Flight Lieutenant, through his lawyer Inibehie Effiong Esq, after the claim of being subjected to systematic persecution and victimisation for attempting to quit the service after 10 years, having enlisted in 2013.
In the suit number NICN/ABJ/25/2025, Akerele contended that he opted to pull out of service after repeated traumatic experiences, including lack of promotion for six years, which he spent as a Flying Officer.
