Fallen heroes: Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day holiday overdue
January 15, 2026 12:20 am
January 15 is celebrated annually as Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day. This day honours the supreme sacrifice made by fallen heroes of the Nigerian military. It recognises the sacrifices of serving soldiers and veterans who have fought under challenging climatic, psychological, social, and physical conditions to protect and defend the territorial integrity of the Nigerian state. The date also marks the end of hostilities between the Nigerian state and the secessionist Republic of Biafra, following the latter’s surrender on January 15, 1970.
While the AFRD has gained symbolic recognition among members of the Nigerian military community and the public, who acknowledge and appreciate the Nigerian military’s contributions to the nation’s unity and existence, the activities surrounding it are still predominantly military in nature: ceremonial parades, official wreath-laying rituals, and events held in military barracks. For the average Nigerian citizen, it is just another national day that has no deep reflection, appreciation, or symbolic meaning. Therefore, this article argues and advocates for its declaration as a national public holiday. Doing so would help highlight the sacrifices and service of the Nigerian military to the broader civilian public and would foster a greater sense of appreciation and civil-military cooperation.
One, declaring the AFRD as a national public holiday could strengthen national unity during this period of increased social mistrust, insecurity, and division. It also has the potential to improve civilian-military relations. This is particularly important given the strained relationship between the Nigerian military and its citizens, evidenced by human rights abuses carried out by the military, many of which have not only occurred during the current democratic era but also extend back to the decades of military rule in the country. Nonetheless, it is important to establish January 15 as a national public holiday to properly recognise and appreciate the service and sacrifices of serving personnel and veterans.
While AFRD is often seen as mainly a military event, the impacts of Nigeria’s diverse low-intensity armed conflicts have also affected civilian communities, whose safety relies on military efforts. This supports making AFRD a shared national celebration that goes beyond the military and includes civilians, whom the military is meant to protect. Therefore, a public holiday like AFRD, similar to the October 1 Independence celebrations, can foster a sense of national ownership, belonging, and unity. It can also motivate private and civil society groups to organise commemorative events through partnerships with established military charities, such as the Nigerian Legion, the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association, the Defence and Police Officers Associations, various Officers’ Wives Associations, the Military Wives Association, and other social groups dedicated to protecting their interests. These efforts help raise public awareness about AFRD and celebrate the patriotism and sacrifices of the Nigerian military.
Declaring the day a national holiday would engender public reflection and support for the sacrifices of Nigerian military families: wives and children of serving officers and men, wives, and caregivers of wounded personnel and disabled soldiers, widows of fallen heroes, veterans suffering from wounds gotten from combat, and other post-combat disorders. It would also generate calls for more accountability, transparency on the human costs of military operations and activities, and their impact on families and military communities. It would humanise military personnel in the eyes of civilians, and honour veterans and their families, as Nigerian veterans often return from service to a society that barely acknowledges their sacrifice, facing unemployment, trauma, and neglect.
A public holiday would further create an avenue to bring more national attention to the needs of serving soldiers and veterans, encourage policy discussions on welfare and rehabilitation of veterans, and provide a platform for fundraising and veteran-support initiatives, as is done in advanced militaries.
Like other militaries with remembrance days, such as the United States (Veterans Day and Memorial Day), the United Kingdom (Remembrance Sunday), and Ghana (Veterans Day), which set aside dedicated national holidays or nationwide observances to honour their fallen soldiers and veterans, Nigeria, with the memory of a civil war, a sterling peacekeeping history, and an ongoing internal security challenge, has even greater justification to do likewise.
A national AFRD holiday would place Nigeria within this global tradition of respect and remembrance for its military. Nigeria’s diversity is in its strength, and the Nigerian military remains one of the most ethnically diverse institutions in the country. A publicly declared National Day of Remembrance and commemoration would foster collective support for the Armed Forces, increase civilian support for the military services, as was recently done when the NA, the NN, and the NAF opened their gates to civilians to celebrate their annual ceremonies.
A publicly declared National Day of Remembrance and Commemoration would promote collective support for the Armed Forces and enhance civilian appreciation of the military services. This has recently been demonstrated by the increasing civil–military engagement and peacebuilding efforts of the Nigerian military, especially in areas like South-East Nigeria, where the Nigerian Army has been involved in providing medical outreach, road construction, sanitation projects, education support, rehabilitation of orphanages, and other social support initiatives to counter the activities of neo-Biafran separatists.
More notable examples of civil-military engagement include recent ceremonial celebrations of the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, during which they opened their gates to civilians through facility tours, ship visits, and various interactive activities.
This was most notably exemplified by the Nigerian Air Force’s nationwide “Come See Your Air Force” and the Nigerian Navy Ship Tours, which received wide attendance, rekindled trust, and national pride in the Nigerian military.
The AFRD deserves broader public and national celebration, beyond digital spaces and social media hashtags and posts, to extend further into civilian spaces and life across elementary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, government, religious and financial establishments, recreational and hospitality centres, and ultimately to the hearts of individual citizens instilling a shared sense of responsibility to honour and publicly commemorate the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Nigerian government should declare this day a national public holiday. This would serve to publicly celebrate the occasion, promote national appreciation for active soldiers and veterans, and honour the ultimate sacrifices made by fallen heroes defending the nation’s integrity and sovereignty.
Ajala is a researcher specialising in military sociology, death studies, conflict, peace, and security and a visiting research fellow at the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath, England
I wrote this for the British, Commonwealth, French and American Remembrance Day, which is on November 11th.
Nigerian troops in the two world wars and why the Nigerian High Commissioner will lay a wreath today.
Kamerun was colonised by Germany, so there were concerns with the outbreak of World War 1 that Nigeria could be attacked by Kamerun/Germany. Troops were mobilised for the defence of Nigeria and for action against Kamerun/Germany. The war on Nigeria's eastern front raged between 1914-1916. Nigerian troops captured Yaounde and Douala and were able to drive the Germans to Spanish Guinea (now Equatorial Guinea) where they were disarmed. The Royal Navy sent some warships to Nigeria to assist with the campaign.
Germany also colonised Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and parts of Kenya, so Nigerian troops were also deployed to East Africa to fight against the Germans. This phase of the war lasted from 1916-1918 and resulted in a victory for the allies (British Empire [Indians, East, West and South Africans], Belgian and Portuguese forces). At least 2,700 Nigerians died in this campaign.
Nigerians also famously fought in the 2nd World War. Nigerian troops were deployed in 1940 to participate in the defence of Kenya. They also fought in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Somalia and Sudan. They returned to Nigeria in 1941.
Back in Nigeria, they were deployed to the northern and western borders after France fell, to prevent a possible attack by the Vichy French (there were concerns that the Vichy French would try to invade Nigeria and this resulted in several false alarms in 1941 and 1942).
Their most famous battles in the war were in India and Burma between 1943 - 1945. Many famous Nigerian soldiers, such as Sergeant Hama Kim, Wellington Bassey and Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, fought in this phase of the war. They were engaged in intense and brutal fighting against the Japanese in awful conditions.
The BBC has produced several documentaries (on tv and radio) about the exploits of these Africans in South-East Asia. A British journalist, Barnaby Philips, produced a documentary for Al-Jazeera in 2012 called "Burma Boy" in which he tracked down a Nigerian soldier that fought in Burma during World War 2 and got him to tell his story. He also tracked down the children of the Burmese man who sheltered the Nigerian soldier when he got injured and the Japanese were looking for him. Barnaby Philips also wrote a book about Nigerian soldiers who fought in Burma. It's titled "Another Man's War".
Many Nigerian sitcoms in the 1970s and 1980s had a character that was a former major who fought in the 2nd World War (usually in Burma, but also in the Carribeans), eg Sura Di Tailor, Second Chance and Village Headmaster.
Many Nigerian graves remain in cemeteries at the Dalet Chaung near Tamandu, the Rangoon Memorial and the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Burma.
Several barracks in Nigeria are named after places where Nigerian troops fought and died during the 2nd World War. These include Dodan (Ikoyi), An (Yaba), Myohaung (Yaba), Arakan (Apapa), Marda (Yaba) and Tamandu Barracks (Apapa) in Lagos; Letmauk Barracks in Ibadan; Dalet, Mogadishu, Colito and Kalapanzin Barracks in Kaduna; and the Chindit Barracks in Zaria.
Ceremonies were held in certain military cemeteries in Nigeria on the 11th to honour soldiers who died in these wars.
That's why the Nigerian High Commissioner will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in London today.
Picture 1: Inspection of Nigerian recruits.
Picture 2: West African and Indian troops in India during the Second World War.
Picture 3: A West African soldier being operated on during the War.
Picture 4: Nigerian troops board a Royal Air Force Dakota plane for the journey to Burma to take part in Operation Thursday.
This was the only period during Ecomog operations that resembled what Boko Haram is doing today. I'll try and remember details from BBC World Service reports at the time.
It seemed like Ecomog was about to completely win the war in Sierra Leone. Fodhay Sankor had been arrested in Abuja and the RUF was in a difficult position. However, some Sierra Leonean Army soldiers who were unhappy, teamed up with RUF rebels to stage a coup.
A Nigerian general told the BBC that he had previously warned the troops about the refugees that were streaming into the city from a particular location. He said that they could be militants in disguise, but nothing had been done about his warning. Indeed, some RUF fighters disguised as refugees and got into the city and teemed up with the disgruntled Sierra Leonean soldiers. Ecomog was surrounded on Lungi Island.
Sierra Leone's main airport is on Lungi Island and the island was also the location of Ecomog's headquarters. Some of the Nigerian officers on Lungi Island had actually trained some of the Sierra Leonean troops that had staged the coup. Nigeria had a training agreement with Sierra Leonian long before the war broke out.
Ecomog had gotten President Tejan Kabbah out of Freetown as the coup was taking place.
The coupists were led by a young officer called Johnny Paul Koroma. They initially boasted that the Nigerians would find it difficult to take back Freetown, but they said that they were open to peace talks. Privately, some of the senior coupists admitted that they would not be able to resist sustained force from the Nigerians. Junior officers and other ranks from the coupist side went on a looting spree in Freetown and they committed a lot of atrocities.
As you can see in this video, the coupists were spooked when they saw a Nigerian warship offshore. That warship was NNS Ambe. But they probably didn't realise that NNS Ambe was an LST (it was not NNS Aradu, which had bombarded rebels in Liberia and Sierra Leone). The Nigerians probably had Ambe ready either in case they had to make an amphibious landing or in case they needed to be evacuated. Neither of those things were necessary because this was the time that General Khobe's brilliance and bravery came to the fore.
Just like E.A. Etuk had done with the Owerri Breakout in the 1960s, General Maxwell Khobe led his troops from the front to carry out the famous Freetown Breakout and to drive the rebels and coupists from Freetown. Johnny Paul Koroma was chased out of Freetown (it is believed that Charles Taylor later had him killed after he sought refuge in Liberia).
(The Sierra Leonean being interviewed is Brigadier Samuel Koroma, Johnny Paul Koroma's brother).
Thursday, April 9th 1964. Soundless footage of President Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika welcoming officers and men of the 3rd Battalion of the Nigerian Army when they paraded for him at State House in Dar-es-Salaam.
The Nigerian troops took the place of 600 British Marine Commandos who were called in to keep the peace following the Tanganyika Army mutiny in January.
President Nyerere inspected a Nigerian guard of honour and afterwards took the salute at a march past, led by the battalion's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Pam.
Accompanying Mr Nyerere were the Tanganyika vice president, Mr Rashidi Kawawa; the Tanganyika Minister for External Affairs and Defence, Mr Oscar Kambona; and the Nigerian High Commissioner, Mr N.A.Martin.
Source: Reuters News.
Note: On April 26th 1964, Tanganyika joined with the People's Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The union was influenced by Julius Nyerere's principle of Ujamaa, a key component of which stressed the need for "territorial nationalism." The country was re-named Tanzania within a year of the union.
Tuesday, March 31st 1964. Footage of the first contingent of Nigerian peacekeeping troops arriving in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika (later Tanzania).
They were met at the airport by Mr. Ade Martins, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Tanganyika, members of the Tanganyika cabinet and the commander of the soon-to-depart British commandos.
Source: Reuters News Archive.
Note: The Nigerian troops took the place of 600 British Marine Commandos who were called in to keep the peace following the Tanganyika Army mutiny in January 1964. The Nigerian Army was given the role after an emergency meeting of the organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Dar-es-Salaam in February. The troops were members of the 3rd Battalion of the Nigerian Army commanded by Lt. Colonel Yakubu Pam.
Monday, September 21st 1964. Soundless footage of President Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika honouring the officers and men of the 3rd Battalion of the Nigerian Army at a farewell parade at State House in Dar-es-Salaam.
The battalion, which was led by Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Pam, had taken over the policing role undertaken by British Royal Marine commandos in April. The British commandos were called in by the Tanganyikan government after the Tanganyikan army mutinied in January. The Nigerian Army was given the role after an emergency meeting of the organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Dar-es-Salaam in February.
During the assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Pam oversaw policing as well as training duties. On September 1st, 1,100 recruits for the new Tanganyikan Army completed a three-month training programme. Those soldiers, together with troops of the 2nd battalion Tanganyikan Rifles were expected to more than make up for the loss of the 1st Battalion which was disbanded after the mutiny.
The intention was that the Nigerian soldiers would be replaced after six months by another contingent of African soldiers from either Algeria or Ethiopia, but the Tanzanian authorities decided that this was no longer necessary.
During the ceremony, President Nyerere presented Lt. Col. Pam with ivory horns and the colonel returned the favour by presenting the president with a shield.
President Bola Tinubu officially unveiled the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration emblem and appeal fund at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
"Their courage is the foundation of our freedom and unity, Today we also pay tribute to veterans… pic.twitter.com/Q8vIlYNrmt
VICE PRESIDENT, SERVICE CHIEFS AND TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OBSERVE ARMED FORCES CELEBRATION AND REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026 JUMA’AT SERVICE
The Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, on Friday, 9 January 2026, led the Service Chiefs, senior military officers and other top government officials to the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2026 Juma’at Service, at the the National Mosque, Abuja.
Among the top military leadership in attendance were the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, NAM, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas and a representative of the Chief of Air Staff. The solemn ceremony featured special prayers and moments of reflection in honour of the nation’s fallen heroes.
The annual event is dedicated to commemorating the bravery, loyalty and selfless sacrifices of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly those who paid the supreme price in the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. It also provides an avenue to celebrate the professionalism and resilience of serving personnel, while offering prayers for enduring peace, unity and security across the nation.
Also in attendance were the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulazeez Musa Yar’Adua; Heads of Security Agencies; Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Service Headquarters and other senior government officials, all united in paying tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes and reaffirming national support for the Armed Forces.
AS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES MARKING THE ARMED FORCES CELEBRATION AND REMEMBRANCE DAY, THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, GENERAL CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA (RTD.), AND THE PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, MR. RICHARD PHEELANGWA, ATTENDED THE INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE ON SUNDAY, 11TH JANUARY 2026, AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE, ABUJA. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE WERE THEIR WIVES, DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REPRESENTATIVE OF SENATE PRESIDENT, CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, CHIEF OF DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE
6 May 17, I was privileged to fly on the last chopper that brought back the released Chibok girls. Seeing the girls - young, naive BUT broken, was a reminder of how cruel man is. When we touched down, I stayed with them briefly in the C-130 before the Abuja lap.
Military medics began basic checks, deworming them and tending their wounds. There was one particular girl who had lost a leg. She said the Air Force had hit BHT positions & during the strike she lost a leg. I stared at her, wishing it was a dream.
Sitting beside her was another girl - the bravest girl I ever met. For the purpose of this thread, let us call her 'N'. N kept a daily journal of what happened everyday at the BH camp. I snapped as many pages as I could. The girls attested that she was the leader of the pack.
Right under Boko Haram's nose, every night, after the terrorists had ordered them for 'lights out', she would organise the girls for prayers & morning devotion the next day. I found myself smiling sheepishly at this. This is faith. This is bravery.
When the medics were done & we were notified that the C-130 would depart for Abuja, N made a signal & all the girls sat up, crossed their legs & bend their heads. N led them in prayers. I would later learn that this was their routine when there was danger or the bombs dropped.
As the C-130 ascended to Abuja to hand them to Mr President, I looked. A pilot who had flown the chopper was sitting on the tarmac, red-eyed. It took a soldier to talk us to leaving the tarmac that day. We were just heaving like bereaved men.
'Sarkin Yakin Damboa' The people of Damboa called him Sarkin Yaki (King of War). But Captain MM Hassan was much more. BHT dreaded him to the extent that Shekau placed a 10 million Naira bounty on him.
Hassan was tough as a nail. 2 years after his death in 2018, I met a corporal in Gwoza, who drove him for most of his operations. The soldier was smiling all through & he said something that touched me. 'Sarki dey smile everytime. E talk say nothing worth person cry'.
He said MM Hassan was the toughest officer he ever knew. "I happy say I pass through that Oga." He told me of an incident where Hassan fought through an ambush to rescue him. After then, he never thought Hassan was human until 5 Janary 2018.
On 5 January 2018, MM Hassan died from a detonated grenade in the midst of gunfight with terrorists. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
'041116: My Longest Day Ever'
I remember how excited I was to see Lt Col Abu Ali the first time. He was a Major then. Stories of him sounded like folklore, like war stories brought to life. People talked of his sheer brilliance & sacrifice for his men.
So, the first day I met him he actually came from Mallam Fatori to Maiduguri to collect supplies for his unit. Sounds strange. A Major? Coming to the city to take supplies for soldiers? This is not typical of senior officers. It is one task they would delegate.
I was also surprised by his frame. Man was lanky and very quiet. But you saw the fight in him. He embodies the military song, 'Small body, Big Mind'. He didn't talk much.
When he was leaving, after a brief discussion, he breathed, 'We will win'.
In 2015, BHT carried out one of its bloodiest attacks in Baga, killing numbers so much that it was covered up till today. As far as the battlefield is concerned, we would always credit Abu Ali for taking that town back.
I woke up to a text on 5 November that the officer was killed in a dawn attack on Mallam Fatori. This was 2 weeks after I encountered him. His men eventually beat back Boko Haram but his death still cuts deep.
During his procession, I saw generals cried. The COAS wept. His death rocked the Presidency. He defined patriotism.
May his soul continue to rest in peace. Amen.
In your words, "We will win".
Eyes from Above
I was in Rann in 2016, before the mishap on the IDPs. The Armed Forces maintain strategic outposts to protect the interest of the country. The one in Rann is one of such.
Cut off from the country and so close to Cameroon, Rann is a flat land. You could see as your eyes would let you. A company of soldiers stay there, mainly as a buffer.
When I got there, I confessed my fear that it was easy for BHT to overrun us. The CO swore that BHT had never succeeded & would never succeed because of one reason.
'The Airforce. We get eyes for up o.'
He talked about how Alpha Jets took out 8 guntrucks in April 2015 when BHT tried attacking them.
"Boko Haram will prefer to see 100 AA guns than to see one of those jets. Anytime I see the jets, I know I am sleeping well that night.
That night, I rekindled my love for tea. I was given lemongrass tea. Damn! I stayed awake all night. When my watch shone 1145pm, I remember the CO pointing to the skies to a distant Beechcraft plane.
"My sleep will be long today'.
Khaki Angels
One set of soldiers I admire are the medics. Highly trained, thoroughly professional, these folks work in your regular city & hardest of grounds.
The Air Force established hospitals for IDPs in frontline communities of Dalori & Bama. Over 100k patients are attended to on these facilities.
In 2018, I witnessed miracle in Dalori. An Air Force ophthalmologist performed 132 pterygium in a day. One of the women, Iya Kaka, wept when she was discharged days after. It was the first time she would see after 12 years. She couldn't stop praying for the Chief of Air Staff.
As we celebrate this year's Armed Forces Remembrance Day, I pray for the safety of all military personnel as they carry on gallantly, doing this job - the most difficult job in the world. God bless you.
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