By Nkechi Eze
The 2026 Armed Forces Celebrations and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) National Symposium and Lecture Series on Monday, 12 January 2026, provided a solemn yet forward-looking platform for reflection on sacrifice, security, and nation-building, as the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, commended Nigerians for their enduring support to the Armed Forces amid sustained and intensified counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country.
Held at the Sani Abacha Hall of the National Defence College, Abuja, the symposium brought together serving and retired senior military officers, policymakers, academics, and other national security stakeholders, underscoring the collective resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, attended the event alongside other key actors in the defence and security sector, a presence that highlighted the Nigerian Air Force’s firm commitment to joint operations, strategic cooperation, and the coordinated pursuit of national security objectives.
In his address, General Musa described the trust, cooperation, and collaboration of Nigerians as indispensable to the successes being recorded by the Armed Forces in theatres of operation across the country. He noted that while the military continues to confront terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other forms of criminality, the morale and resilience of troops are continually strengthened by the understanding, encouragement, and solidarity of the Nigerian people. He stressed that the remembrance of fallen heroes, whose sacrifices define the essence of AFCRD, serves as a constant reminder that peace and stability are hard-won and must be collectively protected.
The Defence Minister emphasised that national security is a shared responsibility, explaining that the Armed Forces can only effectively discharge their constitutional mandate when supported by an informed, united, and patriotic citizenry. According to him, the successes recorded in recent operations are a reflection not only of military professionalism but also of growing civil-military cooperation and public confidence in the Armed Forces.
General Musa further explained that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, defence and security initiatives have been deliberately aligned with Nigeria’s broader national development goals. He highlighted the revitalisation of indigenous defence production as a major strategic achievement, following the amendment of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act. The amendment, he noted, has expanded local manufacturing capacity, encouraged meaningful private sector participation, and reduced Nigeria’s dependence on foreign procurement, thereby strengthening national self-reliance and boosting the local defence industrial base.
He also pointed to sustained investments in personnel training and welfare as a critical factor in enhancing operational efficiency. According to the Minister, the deployment of Special Operations Forces, supported by improved intelligence, advanced platforms, and stronger inter-service collaboration, has significantly improved precision, agility, and responsiveness across operations. These efforts, complemented by strengthened regional and international partnerships, have translated into intensified air, land, and maritime operations against terrorists and other criminal elements, improved internal security, and enhanced protection of critical national assets.
The symposium, themed “Armed Forces and National Development,” featured the presentation of a comprehensive theme paper by former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), who examined the evolving role of the Armed Forces beyond traditional combat functions to include nation-building, democratic stability, and socio-economic development. The paper was enriched by incisive contributions from a panel of distinguished discussants, including Lieutenant General F. Yahaya (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal E. A. Wonah (Rtd), and Rear Admiral S. O. Agada (Rtd), while the session was moderated by Lieutenant General L. O. Adeosun (Rtd).
Discussions at the forum reflected deep introspection on Nigeria’s security environment, the complexity of modern threats, and the expanding expectations placed on the Armed Forces in a developing democracy. Participants unanimously agreed that while security challenges persist, the Armed Forces remain a stabilising force whose sacrifices, professionalism, and evolving capabilities are central to Nigeria’s quest for peace, unity, and sustainable national development.
Overall, the AFCRD 2026 National Symposium stood as both a tribute to fallen heroes and a strategic conversation on the future, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ enduring role not only as defenders of Nigeria’s territorial integrity but also as vital partners in shaping the nation’s security, development, and democratic resilience.
