The Nigerian Army has announced plans to honour officers and soldiers who participated in peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and other conflict-affected countries by sponsoring selected veterans to revisit the nations where they served more than three decades ago.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu Nam, disclosed the initiative on Friday while speaking with journalists after the Juma’at prayers held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
Lieutenant General Nam said the initiative was designed to recognise the sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel whose contributions helped restore peace and stability across West Africa, while giving them the opportunity to witness the lasting impact of their service.
“Some of our officers and men who served in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other countries during the peacekeeping missions of the early 1990s have been selected to return to those countries to see what their efforts have achieved,” the COAS said.
He noted that many of the veterans had not returned to the countries since completing their peacekeeping assignments and deserved the opportunity to witness how peace had taken root through the sacrifices they made.
“We are sending some of them back as a way of appreciating them and showing that the nation still honours and values the sacrifices they made,” he added.
The Army Chief explained that the gesture would also serve as a source of motivation for troops currently engaged in military operations across various theatres, assuring them that their dedication and sacrifices would continue to be recognised even after their active years in service.
“They should know that they will be honoured for life, and as long as the nation endures, those coming behind them will appreciate the sacrifices they are making,” he stated.
Acknowledging the demanding nature of military operations, Lieutenant General Nam assured personnel that Nigerians appreciate their commitment to protecting the country’s peace, security and territorial integrity.
The COAS explained that the annual Nigerian Army Day Celebration commemorates the establishment of the Nigerian Army while paying tribute to serving personnel and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation.
He said the Juma’at prayers provided an opportunity to remember fallen heroes, pray for personnel wounded in action and those currently serving in various operational theatres, while celebrating acts of gallantry that continue to strengthen national unity.
Lieutenant General Nam further disclosed that the grand finale of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, themed “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army,” will hold in Port Harcourt.
Earlier, during the opening press briefing for the week-long celebration, the COAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, called on Nigerians to remain patriotic and continue supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies in addressing the country’s security challenges.
