Tinubu Absent as Shettima Leads Armed Forces Remembrance Day Tribute in Abuja

ABUJA, Nigeria — Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima on Thursday took the lead at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) ceremony held at the Cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier, Eagle Square, Abuja, in the absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Shettima represented President Tinubu, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 (ADSW).

The annual AFCRD event, organised by the Ministry of Defence, honours fallen heroes of the Nigerian Armed Forces — including those who died in the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peace support missions, and more recent internal security operations. It also celebrates living veterans and underscores the need for continued support to service members, their families, and the wounded.

In his address, Shettima paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of Nigerian troops confronting security challenges across the country. The ceremony featured wreath-laying and moments of reflection for those who paid the ultimate price defending the nation.

The AFCRD, observed each year on January 15, was renamed the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to better reflect its dual purpose of honouring both current service members and the fallen.

While Tinubu was not physically present, he earlier used the occasion of the Armed Forces events in Abuja to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to supporting the military’s welfare, enhanced training, and operational capacity.

The event draws participation from senior government officials, military leaders, veterans’ groups, and members of the public, highlighting national appreciation for the armed forces’ role in safeguarding Nigeria’s peace and security.