Prime Business Africa
In a hard‑hitting statement released today, (November 24, 2025), former foreign minister and Oxford‑educated scholar Professor Bolaji Akinyemi called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take unprecedented action against the nation’s spiraling insecurity.
Beyond his demand to suspend the 2004 Armed Forces Act retirement rule, Akinyemi urged the president to proclaim a nationwide state of emergency, temporarily remove constitutional immunity for state governors who fail to curb terrorist activity, and set up military tribunals empowered to hand down the death penalty to convicted terrorists and their collaborators. The professor’s sweeping proposals, framed as “exceptional measures” for a nation at a breaking point, are set to ignite fresh debate over civil liberties, federal authority and the harshest possible response to terrorism.
Professor Akinyemi Calls on President Tinubu to Suspend Military Retirement Rules and Deploy a Massive Recruitment Drive
Professor Akinyemi issued a stark appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the suspension of a British‑era provision of the Armed Forces Act 2004 that forces military personnel to retire after 35 years of service or at age 60.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn the statement, which was made available to Prime Business Africa, and circulated to the press, Professor Akinyemi argued that Nigeria’s current security crisis warrants “exceptional measures.” He cited historical precedents, noting that the same retirement rule was temporarily set aside during World War II when Britain needed extra troops, and again during the Nigerian Civil War.
“The nation again finds itself in a situation that requires exceptional measures,” the professor said. “Nigeria urgently needs a strengthened military presence to confront escalating insecurity and safeguard our sovereignty.”
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He called for the immediate suspension of the retirement clause and the recall of all officers and soldiers who left the service within the past six months. This, he said, should be coupled with a “nationwide, large‑scale recruitment drive” to ensure every state and region is properly garrisoned.
State of emergency and gubernatorial accountability
Professor Akinyemi also recommended that President Tinubu declare a nationwide state of emergency, during which the constitutional immunity of state governors would be suspended.
Under this proposal, any governor whose jurisdiction is shown to allow terrorist groups to operate with impunity could be held accountable, and the affected area could be placed under temporary military administration.
Military tribunal for terrorists
Finally, the professor urged the establishment of a military tribunal to try terrorists and their confirmed collaborators. He said the tribunal should be empowered to impose the death penalty where guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Nigeria must not tolerate a situation in which members of terrorist organizations freely appear at social gatherings armed and unchallenged,” the statement read. “Our nation’s security demands decisive, coordinated, and courageous action.”
Reactions await
The presidency has not yet responded to the professor’s proposals. If implemented, the measures would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s security policy, expanding the armed forces at a time when the country is grappling with widespread banditry, kidnappings, and insurgency in several regions.
The full text of Professor Akinyemi’s statement is attached below:
“I respectfully call on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to suspend the enforcement of the Armed Forces Act 2004 provision—an inherited British-era policy—that mandates the retirement of military personnel after 35 years of service or upon attaining 60 years of age.
History provides clear precedents for such a step. During the Second World War, when the British required additional boots on the ground, the same law was temporarily set aside. Similarly, during Nigeria’s Civil War, these retirement provisions were relaxed to meet urgent national security needs. Today, our nation again finds itself in a situation that requires exceptional measures. Nigeria urgently needs a strengthened military presence to confront escalating insecurity and safeguard our sovereignty.
Accordingly, I urge President Tinubu to suspend the current retirement requirements and to recall, without delay, all officers and soldiers who have retired within the past six months. This recall should form part of a broader, strategic effort to reinforce our armed forces and have adequate “boots” on the ground.
In addition, I call on the President to authorize a nationwide, large-scale recruitment drive into the Nigerian Armed Forces, ensuring that every state and region is properly garrisoned and adequately secured. This is essential to restoring confidence, stability, and territorial control across the federation.
I further recommend that the President declare a nationwide state of emergency. During this period, constitutional immunity for Governors should be suspended so that any Governor under whose jurisdiction terrorist groups operate freely and with impunity can be held accountable. Where necessary, such a state may be temporarily placed under military administration to restore order and protect citizens.
Finally, I call on President Tinubu to establish a military tribunal to try terrorists and their confirmed collaborators. Where guilt is established beyond reasonable doubt, the tribunal should be empowered to impose the maximum penalty under the law – the death penalty.
Nigeria must not tolerate a situation in which members of terrorist organizations freely appear at social gatherings armed and unchallenged. Our nation’s security demands decisive, coordinated, and courageous action.
— Proffessor. A. Bolaji Akinyemi. B.A, M.A, M.A.L.D, D.Phil (Oxon), CFR”
About Professor Bolaji Akinyemi
Professor Akinyemi holds a D.Phil from Oxford University and is a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is widely respected for his commentary on defence and security matters.
