Vice President Kashim Shettima is attending proceedings marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) at the cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier in Eagle Square, Abuja, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Tinubu is currently in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026. This is the second consecutive year Vice President Shettima has represented the President at the annual remembrance event, having done so in 2025.
The AFCRD is an annual event organised by the Ministry of Defence to honour fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in the service of Nigeria. These 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, particularly the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency.
Beyond honouring the fallen, the event also celebrates living veterans and provides an avenue to mobilise financial and moral support for their welfare, as well as for the families of deceased service personnel.
Although the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed globally, Nigeria’s commemoration reflects its distinct historical experience. As a member of the Commonwealth, Nigeria initially marked Remembrance Day on November 11, in line with other member states, to honour those who died in the World Wars. The date symbolises the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when the First World War officially ended.
However, January 15 was later adopted to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War and to better reflect Nigeria’s national realities.
The 2026 AFCRD is particularly significant, coming amid recorded successes by the Armed Forces in the North-East and other parts of the country. The occasion therefore serves to specially acknowledge the courage, professionalism and sacrifices of officers and men confronting Nigeria’s security challenges to ensure peace and stability.
The Federal Government reiterated its enduring gratitude to these gallant Nigerians and called on citizens, organisations and the private sector to generously support serving personnel, wounded soldiers and the families of fallen heroes during the remembrance period and beyond.
