The Nigerian military has announced plans to immortalise its history and honour fallen heroes with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Armed Forces Museum in Abuja.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Defence Headquarters and Empower 54 Africa Initiative on Wednesday, Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, described the project as a landmark initiative.
He stressed that the museum would preserve Nigeria’s military heritage while ensuring that the sacrifices of service members are permanently remembered.
“The facility, which will sit on about 10 acres of land in the Federal Capital Territory, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
“It will serve not only as a repository of military artefacts and service records but also as a hub for education, tourism, and economic opportunities.
“Museums are vital custodians of national memory. We want a museum that restores Nigeria to a global standard, serves as a pride to our service members and families, and ensures that the sacrifices of our heroes are never forgotten,” Musa said.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the Armed Forces Museum will generate sustainable revenue through tourism, corporate partnerships, and cultural exchange, while also creating jobs for veterans and civilians.
“It will feature multilingual immersive educational programmes designed to engage schools across the country.
Olusanya Bankole, Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, disclosed that a multidisciplinary steering committee has been set up to ensure the project meets international standards.
The committee, he said, comprises representatives of the military services as well as heritage preservation experts.
“After extensive research and due diligence, we selected Empower 54 as our strategic partner for implementation. Their proven project management capabilities and experience in building sustainable partnerships are key to delivering a world-class facility within the specified timelines,” Bankole explained.
He added that the name “Armed Forces Museum” was carefully chosen from three proposals, reflecting the unity of the services under a single national identity.
According to DHQ, the military has been at the centre of the nation’s history since independence in 1960, from peacekeeping operations across Africa to engagements in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), counter-insurgency campaigns against Boko Haram and ISWAP, and ongoing efforts to combat banditry.
Despite this legacy, the country has lacked a centralised modern museum that showcases these contributions in line with international practice.
“Countries such as the United States, Britain, and South Africa already operate military museums that serve both as educational centres and tourist attractions, preserving artefacts, oral histories, and stories of valour for posterity”, it stated.
