ARMY EXCELLENCE CELEBRATED AT 2026 AFCRD AWARDS

The Federal Government on Tuesday 13th January 2026, honoured senior serving officers, fallen heroes and retired personnel of the Nigerian Army, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ central role in national security, operational innovation and post-service civic leadership. The honours were conferred at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, attended by senior government officials, military leadership and members of the diplomatic community.

According to a statement released by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the awards form part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to recognise gallantry, strategic leadership, innovation and enduring service to the nation, while preserving the memory of fallen personnel and promoting the core values of professionalism, sacrifice and national responsibility within the Armed Forces.

Among the recipients was the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who received the Service and Sacrifice Award for sustained leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across multiple theatres. Also recognised in the same category were Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI and Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Lagos, for exceptional operational command and dedication to duty.
Several honours were conferred posthumously in recognition of frontline courage and leadership. Brigadier General Musa Uba received the Gallantry Award for leading troops during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State. Late Colonel B. Umaru was awarded the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award for intelligence leadership under Operation HADIN KAI, while Late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari received the Fallen Heroes Award for his role in major counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.

Innovation and mission execution also featured prominently. Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero received the Innovation Award for developing a redesigned ballistic gunboat that strengthened riverine security under Operation DELTA SAFE. Brigadier General Usman Ahmad was honoured with the Mission Success Award for sustaining operational effectiveness and repelling repeated terrorist attacks under intense operational pressure.
In the veterans’ category, former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd) received the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award, recognising his reforms, expansion of operational capacity between 2015 and 2021 and subsequent diplomatic service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin. Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) was honoured with the Sentinel of Freedom Award for contributions to strategic military communication, peacekeeping operations and sustained advocacy for veterans’ welfare and national security.
Other veteran honourees included Major General Mohammed Sadiq Aliyu (rtd), recipient of the Phoenix Award for resilience and continued service despite being wounded in action; Colonel Olubunmi Oyekola (rtd), recognised with the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for building a successful hospitality enterprise; and Colonel Bartholomew Chukwuemeka Ogbonna (rtd), honoured with the Community Champion Award for grassroots development initiatives spanning healthcare, water projects and youth mobilisation.
The ceremony also recognised long service and post-retirement civic engagement, with Master Warrant Officer Manu Garba receiving the Distinguished Citizen Service Medal for 35 years of meritorious service and sustained community development efforts.
The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day remains an annual national observance dedicated to honouring fallen heroes, recognising serving personnel and celebrating veterans whose professionalism and sacrifice continue to underpin Nigeria’s sovereignty, unity and national resilience.