Vice-President Kashim Shettima has delivered a firm and timely reaffirmation of the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering the Nigerian Armed Forces in their ongoing battle against the nation’s multifaceted security challenges. The pledge, made during a solemn ceremony, underscores the administration’s recognition of the military’s pivotal role in national stability.
The assurance came on Friday, January 9, 2026, during a special Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque in Abuja, held to commemorate the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day. This annual event, observed every January 15, was recently renamed to reflect a dual purpose: to celebrate the service and dedication of currently serving personnel, while simultaneously honouring the memory of fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for the nation.
In his address, Vice-President Shettima movingly acknowledged the profound sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. “We honour those who have laid down their lives to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity, as well as the lives and properties of our citizens,” he stated. His words served as a powerful reminder that the nation’s security is not an abstract concept but is bought with the blood and bravery of its servicemen and women.
The core of Shettima’s message was a clear promise of continued and enhanced support. The term “empower” suggests a multi-faceted approach beyond mere rhetoric. In practical terms, this commitment from the Tinubu administration is widely interpreted to encompass several critical areas:
- Enhanced Funding and Modern Equipment: Providing the financial resources for advanced weaponry, surveillance technology, armored vehicles, and communication systems to match the evolving tactics of non-state armed groups.
- Improved Welfare and Morale: Ensuring timely payment of salaries and allowances, adequate housing for personnel and their families, and comprehensive medical care for the wounded. A motivated force is a more effective force.
- Strategic Training and Intelligence Support: Investing in continuous, specialized training for counter-insurgency, cyber warfare, and asymmetric combat, backed by robust intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Shettima expressed unwavering optimism for Nigeria’s future, directly linking the prospect of “enduring peace and prosperity” to the “dynamic and purposeful leadership of President Bola Tinubu.” He concluded with a heartfelt prayer: “Our prayer is for Allah to forgive our deceased officers and men, and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses… And we pray to the Almighty Allah to continue to protect and empower our armed forces to subdue all the crises bedeviling our nation. And in sha Allah, in the fullness of time, we shall have an enduring peace and prosperity in Nigeria.”
This public reaffirmation at a major national and religious event serves a crucial dual function. First, it boosts the morale of the armed forces by demonstrating high-level political backing. Second, it seeks to reassure a weary citizenry that the state is prioritizing the resolution of insecurity—a issue that affects livelihoods, food security, and national cohesion. The true measure of this commitment, however, will be observed in the tangible improvements in security dynamics across the nation in the months to come.
Reported by Salisu Sani-Idris for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Yakubu Uba.
