The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has nullified the rule in the Nigerian military mandating a minimum of 15 years of service before resigning from the service.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim, who delivered the ruling on Tuesday, declared the rule as unconstitutional and oppressive for forcing servicemen into “modern-day slavery in the name 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.

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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.