Nigeria on January 15, 2026, observed Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) with a solemn national ceremony in Abuja, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and top government officials honoured the nation’s fallen and serving military personnel. The event brought together senior leaders, service chiefs, diplomats and veterans to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending Nigeria’s peace, unity and sovereignty.
Held at the National Arcade in the Federal Capital Territory, the ceremony featured a wreath-laying parade beginning with the Vice President laying the first wreath on behalf of the President. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu (representing the Speaker), and Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun also participated in the tribute, underscoring the wide cross-section of national leadership present.
High-profile dignitaries, including the Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (retd.), the Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede and service chiefs from the Army, Navy and Air Force, joined the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in placing wreaths at the memorial. Representatives of military widows and veterans were likewise part of the commemoration, symbolising collective national gratitude.
The ceremony featured the traditional three-volley gun salute, a military honour with historical roots in battlefield respect for the dead, and a moment of silence observed in memory of Nigeria’s fallen heroes. Vice President Shettima also signed the anniversary register and released ceremonial pigeons, symbolising peace and freedom, marking a reflective moment in the proceedings.
Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, previously known solely as Armed Forces Remembrance Day, was renamed to also highlight the contributions of serving personnel as well as those who have died in service. The annual January 15 commemoration includes a series of activities — such as prayers, interdenominational services, lectures, medical outreaches, galas and award nights — culminating in the wreath-laying tribute in Abuja.
This year’s observance also highlighted the contributions of Nigeria’s military in combating internal security threats and participating in peacekeeping missions, reinforcing the nation’s acknowledgment of their courage, resilience and enduring legacy. Families of fallen officers and enlisted personnel, many of whom bore poignant reminders of their loved ones’ sacrifices, were specially recognised during the ceremony.
President Tinubu, who was represented at the main event by the Vice President, has previously emphasised the importance of remembering and supporting the armed forces, including through public-private appeals and welfare initiatives for veterans and families of the fallen. Such efforts underscore the government’s commitment to acknowledging both the historical sacrifices and ongoing service of Nigeria’s defence forces.
As Nigeria paused to honour its military heroes, the 2026 AFCRD served as a powerful reminder of the deep price paid for national security and the duty of all Nigerians to uphold the values of peace, unity and collective gratitude for those who gave their lives in service to the nation
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