Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) on Thursday, held at the Cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier in Eagle Square, Abuja.
President Tinubu is currently in the United Arab Emirates, where he is participating in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026. This marks the second consecutive year the Vice President has represented the President at the annual event, having also done so in 2025.
The AFCRD is an annual programme organised by the Ministry of Defence to honour fallen Nigerian service personnel who paid the supreme price in the line of duty.
Those remembered include members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peace support operations, and various internal security engagements, including the ongoing fight against terrorism.
Beyond commemorating the fallen, the event also celebrates living veterans. It serves as a platform to mobilise financial and moral support for their welfare, as well as for the families of deceased service members.
While Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is observed in many countries worldwide, Nigeria’s commemoration reflects its unique historical experiences and security challenges. As a member of the Commonwealth, Nigeria previously marked Remembrance Day on November 11, in line with other member states, to honour those who died in the World Wars. The date, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marks the official end of the First World War in 1918.
However, January 15 was later adopted to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War and to better reflect national realities.
The 2026 AFCRD comes against the backdrop of reported operational gains by the Armed Forces in the North-East and other parts of the country. The occasion was therefore used to acknowledge the courage, professionalism and sacrifices of officers and men addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Federal Government reiterated its appreciation for the Armed Forces and called on citizens, organisations and the private sector to continue supporting service personnel, particularly wounded veterans and the families of fallen heroes, during the remembrance period and beyond.
Bello Wakili
