President Bola Tinubu has officially unveiled the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration emblem and appeal fund at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, signals the annual kickoff of nationwide fundraising and public awareness activities in honour of Nigeria’s fallen heroes, wounded soldiers, and military veterans. It also sets the stage for the main commemoration scheduled for January 15, 2026.
The emblem launch is a symbolic tradition observed every year to mobilise financial support for families of servicemen who died in active duty and to assist retired military personnel facing welfare challenges. Present at the ceremony were top security chiefs, including the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, alongside senior government officials and representatives of veterans’ groups.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day is Nigeria’s national day dedicated to honouring members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. The event also recognises living veterans who served during wars, peacekeeping missions, and internal security operations. The commemoration has been in existence since the end of World War II, originally marked on November 11 as Poppy Day in line with global remembrance traditions. However, Nigeria shifted the date to January 15 in 1970 to reflect the end of the Nigerian Civil War, thereby giving the day deeper national significance.
Since then, Armed Forces Remembrance Day has been observed annually for more than five decades, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve the nation’s peace, unity, and territorial integrity. Through the emblem and appeal fund, the government renews its commitment each year to the welfare of dependants of fallen soldiers and the well-being of retired service members.