This archive report was first published on 21 December 2021.
December 21, 2021, marked a day of controversy in Nigeria as a female soldier was arrested for accepting a marriage proposal while on duty.
The soldier, who was part of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) training programme in western Kwara state, had accepted the proposal from a trainee during a training session.
According to Army Spokesman Gen Clement Nwachukwu, the soldier's conduct was 'prejudicial to good order and military discipline' as she had 'indulged in romance while in uniform', breaching the military's code of conduct.
Human rights activist and former Nigerian presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore condemned the army's decision as 'misogynistic', accusing the military of discriminating against the female soldier.
Similar action had not been taken against male soldiers involved in public displays of amorous relationships in full military uniform, according to the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid group.
The NYSC has yet to comment on the incident.
