…marks 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of serving and retired military personnel.
This was as Nigeria marked the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day in Abuja, with top defence officials, veterans and military families calling for sustained reforms and stronger support systems for those who served the nation.
Speaking on Thursday at the commemorative event, Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence, explained that the annual observance has evolved beyond its traditional focus to reflect a broader appreciation of the Armed Forces.
According to him, what was formerly known as Armed Forces Remembrance Day has now been expanded into a week-long programme renamed Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance, to recognise both serving personnel and fallen heroes.
“This is a solemn occasion, but also a comprehensive one. We now celebrate those who are alive and actively serving the nation, and at the same time remember those who paid the supreme price in defence of Nigeria. That balance is very important”, Musa said.
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Also speaking at the event, Grace Henry, President of the Nigerian Legion, said significant progress has been made in improving the welfare of retired service members, widows and veterans.
She described the current reforms within the Legion as a turning point, noting that retirees are no longer left without shelter or support after leaving active service.
“We are creating a new Legion. Once you retire from service, you must have a place to come to. Nobody should serve this country and end up without a home”, Henry said.
Addressing concerns over past protests and complaints by veterans, she said the situation had improved in recent months.
“For the past six months, we have not had anyone on the streets again. Pensions are now being paid as and when due,” she stated.
Henry added that the Legion, in collaboration with government authorities, is working to provide housing solutions for retirees and widows, including renting accommodation in estates to ensure a “soft landing” after retirement.
Describing the significance of the day, she said Armed Forces Remembrance remains deeply meaningful to veterans, widows and orphans.
“It is a wonderful and colourful day. It is a day when the widows, the orphans and the veterans feel remembered and honoured,” she said.
However, challenges persist as Femi Oguntuyi, Chairman Ministerial Military Veterans Welfare Committee, acknowledged that progress has been slow in addressing long-standing grievances.
“Our job is to assist veterans to secure their entitlements and judgments. But honestly, we have achieved maybe about 10 per cent so far”, Oguntuyi said.
He revealed that one of the major unresolved issues is the review of the military salary structure, which he said was last adjusted in 2017 despite rising inflation.
“If you know the salary of a soldier today, you will cry. It is so low and unacceptable. When you compare it with other agencies, their salaries can be up to 10 times higher than what someone in the Armed Forces earns in a similar position”, he said.
Oguntuyi also renewed calls for the passage of the Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria (VFN) Bill, which he said would give veterans a legal framework to manage their affairs and access benefits more effectively.
“With the VFN bill, we will be able to legally approach many issues we could not tackle before,” he said, adding that he had been informed that the National Assembly would soon convene a public hearing on the bill.
The committee chairman highlighted the plight of disabled veterans who sustained life-altering injuries while defending the country.
“Some of them have lost limbs. They cannot cater for themselves, yet special services for them are still inadequate,” he said.
He also criticised disparities in post-service entitlements, particularly the security department allowance, which he said was meant to prevent retired personnel from being lured into criminal or terrorist activities.
“Those who retired many years ago are receiving meagre amounts, while recent retirees are better taken care of. We are asking the government to reverse this imbalance so that all veterans can enjoy the same facilities”, Oguntuyi said.
