President Bola Tinubu has issued a rallying call to Nigeria’s armed forces, directing them to “decisively confront” the multitude of security threats plaguing the country—from terrorism and insurgency to banditry and separatist uprisings—insisting the time for hesitation is over.
Delivering the commander-in-chief’s charge at the grand finale of the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in Kaduna on Sunday, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the military now had “the full authorisation” of the presidency to act with force and resolve in defence of the nation’s unity and sovereignty.
“To the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I say this with absolute clarity: the time to rise is now,” Shettima declared, reading Tinubu’s address at Murtala Square. “You have my full authorisation and the trust of the Nigerian people to confront and defeat those who seek to undermine our nation.”
The president described the prevailing insecurity as nothing short of an existential threat. “These evils do not discriminate,” Tinubu warned. “They destroy churches and mosques alike and orphan children without asking their tribe or faith.”
Reaffirming his administration’s support, Tinubu pledged continued investment in advanced weaponry, intelligence infrastructure, and manpower. “We are not oblivious to the challenges confronting our nation,” he said. “But let it be said plainly: our response must be united, calm, and uncompromising.”
The emotional core of the president’s message paid tribute to the fallen. “Many of our finest have fallen in the line of duty,” he said. “Some now lie in silence beneath the soil of a grateful nation; others carry the wounds of oath as living reminders of sacrifices made in our name. Their blood will not be shed in vain.”
He also lauded the quiet sacrifices of military families, particularly through organisations such as the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and the Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association (NASWA), for sustaining morale behind the frontlines.
“We have no other country but Nigeria,” the president concluded. “We must not mortgage our future to division, indifference, or delay.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, reflected on the evolution of the Nigerian Army since its formation in 1863. He said the core values of the force had remained consistent, even as technologies and tactics had evolved.
This year’s NADCEL theme—“Developing the Soldier First Concept: Imperative for the Nigerian Army Transformation Drive”—was, according to Oluyede, aimed at placing the welfare and professionalism of the soldier at the heart of reform.
“We cannot build a great army without well-motivated and well-trained soldiers,” he noted. “Their willpower, morale, and sense of purpose are the bedrock of national security.”
He assured citizens that the Nigerian Army, in close coordination with other military and intelligence bodies, would continue to deny criminal groups any safe haven.
The grand celebration featured parades, tactical drills, and displays of military hardware. In attendance were thousands of cheering Kaduna residents and an array of dignitaries, including former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, Governor Uba Sani, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of State Bello Matawalle, and several former Army Chiefs.
Royal fathers, diplomats, and federal lawmakers also graced the occasion in a public show of support for the military’s role in securing the republic.
