The Federal Government has placed former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), at the heart of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) honours, recognising his enduring legacy of service, sacrifice and institutional reforms within the Nigerian Army.
Buratai was conferred with the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award at the AFCRD Gala Night held on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja. The award acknowledges his far-reaching reforms between 2015 and 2021, which expanded the Army’s operational capacity, strengthened counter-insurgency architecture, and repositioned the force for modern asymmetric warfare. It also recognises his post-service contribution as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Alongside Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Service and Sacrifice Award for decisive leadership and selfless service in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across multiple theatres.
Other recipients in the same category include 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 leadership and commitment to duty.
The Gallantry Award was presented to Brigadier General Misa Uba for leading troops from the front during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State. Brigadier General Usman Ahmad received the Mission Success Award for repelling repeated terrorist attacks and sustaining operational effectiveness under intense pressure.
In the area of innovation, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was honoured with the Innovation Award for designing and deploying a redesigned ballistic gunboat that significantly enhanced operations under Operation DELTA SAFE.
The late Colonel B. Umaru was posthumously awarded the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Excellence Award for outstanding intelligence leadership during Operation HADIN KAI. The late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari received the Fallen Heroes Award for gallantry and pivotal roles in major counter-terrorism operations in the North-East
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Beyond Buratai, several retired senior officers were honoured for sustained national contributions. Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) received the Sentinel of Freedom Award for strategic military communication, peacekeeping and advocacy for veterans’ welfare and national security.
Major General Mohammed Sadiq Aliyu (rtd) was presented with the Phoenix Award for resilience and continued service despite being wounded in action during counter-insurgency operations.
Colonel Olubunmi Oyekola (rtd) received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for successfully transitioning military discipline into a thriving hospitality enterprise, while Colonel Bartholomew Chukwuemeka Ogbonna (rtd) was honoured with the Community Champion Award for grassroots development, healthcare support and youth mobilisation.
Master Warrant Officer Manu Garba was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Service Medal for 35 years of meritorious service and sustained post-retirement community development initiatives.
Remembering Sacrifice, Celebrating Legacy
The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day remains Nigeria’s annual platform for honouring fallen heroes, celebrating serving personnel and recognising veterans whose courage and professionalism continue to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, with Buratai’s recognition standing as a defining symbol of long-term military leadership and national service.
