Nigeria’s fallen and living heroes were honoured on Thursday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, led top government officials, military commanders and members of the diplomatic community at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) ceremony in Abuja.
The solemn event, held at the National Arcade, marked the grand finale of activities lined up for this year’s celebration, with dignitaries laying wreaths in remembrance of officers and men who paid the ultimate price in defence of the nation.
Vice President Shettima was the first to lay a wreath, followed by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, while the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also participated in the ceremony.
Others who laid wreaths included the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima.
The military hierarchy was led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbaa; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Representatives of ex-servicemen and families of fallen officers were also given pride of place, as the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Henry, and a representative of military widows, Mrs Cynthia Dusu, took part in the wreath-laying. 
A traditional three-volley gun salute was fired in honour of the fallen heroes, a military custom rooted in the ancient practice of pausing hostilities to recover the dead from the battlefield.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Vice President Shettima signed the anniversary register and released ceremonial pigeons, symbolising peace, unity and national freedom.
The 2026 AFCRD commenced with a Jumma’at prayer at the National Mosque on January 9, followed by an interdenominational Christian service on January 11. Other activities included social evenings and award ceremonies for soldiers, ratings and airmen, as well as a Regimental Dinner and Award Night for officers organised by the Defence Headquarters.
The Ministry of Defence also hosted a symposium and lecture series on Monday, a gala and award night on Tuesday, and a medical outreach programme for military veterans and their families on Wednesday in Abuja.
Formerly known as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the event was renamed Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to broaden its scope and formally recognise serving personnel alongside fallen heroes.
Observed globally, the day honours sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace. In Nigeria, January 15 is set aside annually to remember those who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peacekeeping missions and various internal security operations, while also celebrating veterans still alive and mobilising support for the families of the fallen.
LV