Nigeria on Thursday marked the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day with solemn ceremonies across the country, as President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors, military authorities, religious leaders, and political parties paid tribute to fallen, serving, and retired members of the Armed Forces who have defended the nation’s unity, peace, and territorial integrity over decades of conflict and sacrifice.
The central ceremony in Abuja took place at the National Arcade, where dignitaries gathered early in the morning for a carefully choreographed military parade that set a reflective tone for the occasion. The event formally began with the submission of the parade state by the parade commander, after which Vice President Shettima, representing President Tinubu, inspected the guard of honour, accompanied by the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya.
Following the inspection, a firing party led the Vice President and other dignitaries in a slow procession to the cenotaph, where wreaths were laid in honour of soldiers who died during the Nigerian Civil War, internal security operations, and peacekeeping missions abroad. The atmosphere was marked by quiet reverence as officers, veterans, families of fallen heroes, and invited guests stood in silence.
The “Last Post” was sounded to honour the departed, prompting all present to rise in solemn respect. Special prayers were later offered by an imam and a Christian chaplain for the repose of the souls of fallen soldiers and for divine protection over those still serving in active duty across Nigeria’s various theatres of operation.
A minute of silence followed, reinforcing the gravity of the sacrifices being remembered. At about 10:35 am, wreath-laying commenced in earnest, beginning with Vice President Shettima, followed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other top officials of government and the security services.
Among those who laid wreaths were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.); the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner of Cameroon, Salaheddine Ibrahima; and senior military chiefs including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.
Also present were the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, underscoring the joint nature of Nigeria’s security architecture and the shared burden of national defence.
After the wreath-laying, three volleys were fired by the firing party in honour of fallen heroes, a long-standing military tradition symbolising final respect. Vice President Shettima thereafter signed the anniversary register on behalf of President Tinubu and released pigeons into the air, symbolising peace, hope, and national unity.
Other dignitaries at the Abuja ceremony included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, among several top government officials, diplomats, and representatives of veterans’ organisations.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), stressed the importance of remembering both fallen and living members of the Armed Forces, noting that the scope of the commemoration had deliberately been expanded. “It is always important to appreciate those who have made sacrifices — those who lost their lives, their family members, those who were injured, and those who are still serving,” he said.
Musa added, “It is a comprehensive effort we undertake together to appreciate and encourage them by reminding them that Nigerians love them, Nigerians are praying for them, and that we need to support them.” He explained that the renaming of the event reflected a broader philosophy of honour. “If you recall, even the name has been changed. It is no longer only the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. It is now the Armed Forces Celebration, where we celebrate those who are alive and remember those who have passed on. I think that is very comprehensive,” he said.
Beyond Abuja, the celebration was observed across Nigeria’s 36 states, with governors, military commanders, and security agencies holding parallel ceremonies to honour fallen heroes and reaffirm commitments to the welfare of veterans and their families.
In Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa pledged continued support for widows of military personnel who lost their lives in active service. Speaking at the final parade, wreath-laying ceremony, and empowerment programme for widows at the Government Cenotaph in Akure, he said, “To the widows of our fallen heroes, we recognise the challenges you face and the sacrifices you continue to make.”
He added, “We are committed to supporting you and ensuring that you have the resources, opportunities and recognition you deserve,” a pledge that was welcomed by families and veterans present at the event.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, commended the governor’s financial support to widows, noting that such interventions would enhance their livelihoods and provide a measure of stability to families affected by loss.
In Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans, widows, and families of fallen heroes during a ceremony held at the Eleven Eleven Millennium Park remembrance arcade in Calabar.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, Otu described the occasion as a solemn reminder of the supreme sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces to keep Nigeria united and peaceful. “The lesson from this ceremony is that we remember our fallen heroes, those who paid the supreme sacrifice for this country to remain one,” he said.
Otu further observed that “many people do not fully understand the sacrifices these people made, most of them with their lives. The fact that we can sleep peacefully in this state is because of the hard work and commitment of our military officers.”
In Katsina State, Governor Mallam Dikko Radda used the occasion at the Peoples Square, Katsina, to pay glowing tribute to fallen heroes, living veterans, and active-duty personnel who continue to confront security threats in the region.
Describing the day as a moment of deep reflection, Radda said, “In Katsina State, we hold this day with profound reverence. Our soil has known the footsteps of many gallant soldiers, some who returned as heroes, others whose names now grace memorials, and countless more whose sacrifices remain unspoken but never forgotten.”
He extended condolences to families of fallen heroes, describing their loss as a collective sorrow and their resilience as a source of inspiration for the state and the nation.
In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of families of deceased soldiers. Speaking through his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at the special parade and wreath-laying ceremony in Abeokuta, he said fallen heroes deserved honour because “the peace and unity currently enjoyed in the country were products of their patriotism and sacrifice.”
Abiodun also commended serving and retired soldiers, stating, “Your professionalism, discipline and commitment to duty continue to underpin the peace and stability we enjoy in Ogun State and across the country. We do not take your sacrifices for granted.”
In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti called on residents to promote peace, unity, and the protection of Nigeria’s sovereignty. Speaking in Umuahia, he insisted that violence should have no place in the state or the country and urged citizens to learn from history, particularly the 1966 coup and the civil war.
Otti praised security agencies in the state for their “unyielding resolve” in protecting lives and property, noting that their courage had improved social and economic conditions and allowed the reactivation of previously dormant agricultural lands.
He disclosed that the state government remained committed to supporting the spouses and children of deceased personnel, providing sustenance for adults and scholarships for children up to tertiary education, and also paid respect to five Ghanaian security personnel who died in active service in the state in 2025.
In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led top officials in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph in Asaba, joined by the deputy governor, the speaker of the state assembly, the chief judge, service commanders, traditional rulers, and members of the Nigerian Legion.
Kebbi State also marked the day with significant financial commitments, as Governor Nasir Idris pledged continued support for serving personnel, veterans, and families of fallen heroes. Speaking at the Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi, he said the fallen “did not die in vain.”
The Kebbi State Government announced donations totalling tens of millions of naira to military wives’ associations and the Nigerian Legion, reinforcing its pledge to targeted welfare programmes.
Beyond government circles, political parties weighed in on the commemoration. The African Democratic Congress criticised President Tinubu’s absence, saying the physical presence of the Commander-in-Chief was important on such a solemn occasion. “The physical and moral presence of the Commander-in-Chief on this day is not optional; it is a statement of respect, responsibility, and shared sacrifice,” the party said.
The Peoples Democratic Party also used the occasion to call for improved welfare packages for officers and men of the Armed Forces. In a statement, the PDP urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies, stating that such support was essential for morale and national security.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 15 to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War on January 15, 1970, and to honour all military personnel who have died in the line of duty since then.
As Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day once again highlighted enduring questions of troop welfare, leadership accountability, and national unity, while reaffirming a collective resolve to honour those who have paid, and continue to pay, the price for the nation’s peace and stability.