🇳🇬 AFCRD 2026 Renews Nigeria’s Covenant With Fallen Heroes And Those They Left Behind

Nigeria’s Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2026 culminated with a national reaffirmation of sacrifice, duty and continuity, as the country honoured fallen heroes while placing renewed emphasis on the living legacies of their service.

Zig Diaries Defence

Date: Thursday, 15 January 2026  

Time: 13:00 WAT  

Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria

At the National Arcade in Abuja, wreaths were laid in solemn tribute to officers and men who paid the supreme price in defence of Nigeria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, marking the symbolic climax of the remembrance cycle.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, led the ceremony as Special Guest of Honour. The Vice President laid the first wreath on behalf of the President, who is currently on an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

This was followed by wreath-laying by the leadership of the National Assembly, with the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu. The Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also laid a wreath.

Members of the Federal Executive Council followed, including the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, alongside other senior government officials and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Cameroun’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Salahuddin Ibrahim.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, led the Service Chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, in laying wreaths in honour of fallen personnel. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also participated.

Representing veterans and families of the fallen, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Grace Morenike Henry, laid a wreath alongside Cynthia Sha, who represented widows of fallen heroes, reinforcing the day’s message that remembrance extends beyond ceremony to responsibility.

Prayers for the repose of the souls of fallen heroes were offered by Christian and Islamic clerics from the Armed Forces, who also prayed for comfort for bereaved families and for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria. The ceremony included a gun salute and the firing of volleys in honour of the dead.

In a symbolic gesture at the close of the event, Vice President Shettima released white pigeons, signifying hope, peace and freedom for Nigeria.

Earlier, the representative of the Commander-in-Chief received the national salute and inspected a Guard of Honour made up of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Nigerian Legion, following the rendition of the national anthem.

Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, observed annually on 15 January, commemorates the end of the Nigerian Civil War on 15 January 1970. It also serves to honour serving and retired personnel, as well as the families of those who gave their lives in service to the nation.

Activities marking AFCRD 2026 began on 2 December 2025 with the launch of the remembrance emblem by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. This was followed by special Juma’at prayers at the National Mosque on 9 January and an interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre on 11 January.

🏷️ Tags: AFCRD 2026, Fallen Heroes, Nigerian Armed Forces, National Arcade, Nigerian Legion, Defence Remembrance  

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