Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the provisions of the Armed Forces Act 2004, which mandate military personnel to retire at age 60 or after 35 years of service.

According to Akinyemi, the retirement law is a relic of colonial policy that no longer suits Nigeria’s current security realities. He argued that the nation should follow historical precedents—as Britain did during the Second World War—by setting aside similar rules in moments of critical national need. He noted that Nigeria also relaxed retirement mandates during the Civil War to address manpower shortages.

Akinyemi urged the President to immediately recall all soldiers and officers who retired within the last six months and embark on large-scale recruitment to bolster the armed forces amid escalating insecurity.

In a statement, he said:
“Nigeria urgently needs a strengthened military presence to confront rising insecurity and safeguard our sovereignty. This moment calls for exceptional, courageous measures.”

He further recommended that the President declare a nationwide state of emergency and temporarily suspend constitutional immunity for state governors. According to him, governors under whose watch terrorists operate freely must be held accountable, and states overwhelmed by insecurity could, where necessary, be placed under temporary military administration.

Akinyemi also advocated the creation of a military tribunal to try insurgents and collaborators, empowered to impose the maximum penalty—including the death sentence—where guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt.

He stressed that Nigeria must not tolerate a situation where “terrorists appear at social functions armed and unchallenged,” insisting the country needs decisive and coordinated action to restore order and protect citizens.