Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday, June 26, 2026, led a Special Juma’at Prayer at the Mogadishu Cantonment Central Mosque, Abuja, as the Nigerian Army began activities for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026.
The prayer session, held after the NADCEL 2026 press briefing, was the first event marking the Army’s 163rd anniversary. Prayers were offered for wisdom, protection and guidance for the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) as they continue efforts to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army.”
Speaking during the service, Lieutenant General Shaibu thanked Almighty Allah for His continued grace over the Nigerian Army and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other security threats.
He said the Army would continue to strengthen professionalism, joint operations and collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders in addressing the country’s security challenges.
The Army Chief also paid tribute to serving and retired personnel, as well as their families, for their sacrifices and steadfast support.
. He urged Nigerians to continue praying for the Armed Forces and to support ongoing efforts to build a more peaceful and secure nation.
Among those present were the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle; the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; the representative of the Chief of the Air Staff; Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Service Headquarters; senior serving and retired military officers; the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Dr Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, alongside members of the association, and other invited guests
