To Troops of Nigerian Army on Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026

By Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu

As we celebrate Christmas 2025 and prepare to usher in the New Year 2026, it is with profound gratitude to Almighty God and deep appreciation for His continued grace upon our nation and our gallant troops that I extend my heartfelt goodwill message to all officers, soldiers, civilian staff and esteemed family members of the Nigerian Army.

Christmas offers us an opportunity for reflection, renewal of faith and thanksgiving. As we join our Christian brothers and sisters across the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the virtues of love, sacrifice, compassion, peace and unity. These noble virtues are not only central to Christian doctrine but also resonate strongly with our ethos and values in the Nigerian Army.

This season further allows us to acknowledge the journey of the past year, including challenges and achievements that have shaped our operations in the defence of our fatherland. Through God’s guidance and the resilience of our personnel, the Nigerian Army continues to demonstrate exceptional professionalism in all theatres of operation.

To all personnel serving in various operational areas who will not be able to celebrate this festive season with their families due to the demands of duty, I salute your courage, discipline and sacrifice. Your unwavering commitment to safeguarding our country’s territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians is deeply appreciated. Your absence from home this season is a profound sacrifice for which the Nigerian people remain grateful.

Under my leadership, concerted efforts will continue to be made to strengthen professionalism and ensure combat readiness of the Nigerian Army. These efforts will focus on sound administration, enhanced personnel welfare, recognition of excellence and an efficient reward and sanction system, all in furtherance of my Command Philosophy: “To advance the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.”

To the families of our gallant officers and soldiers, your love, patience, sacrifices and understanding provide the unseen strength that empowers our troops to excel. The Nigerian Army holds you in high esteem and remains committed to continually improving welfare programs that support military families.

I also extend sincere appreciation to sister services, other security and intelligence agencies, ministries, departments, state governors, traditional rulers, host communities and patriotic Nigerians. Your cooperation, support and confidence in the Nigerian Army remain vital to achieving our constitutional mandates.

As we celebrate Christmas, I urge all personnel to remember the essence of the season. Let us show love to one another, reflect on our journey individually and collectively and rededicate ourselves to the ideals of unity, discipline and professionalism. As the New Year approaches, I encourage all officers and soldiers to embrace 2026 with fresh optimism, commitment and determination. We will intensify efforts to tackle emerging threats, consolidate gains already achieved in all operational theatres and uphold the honour and integrity of our service.

We shall remain focused on improving counterinsurgency strategies, strengthening intelligence architecture and deepening the morale and welfare of our personnel. Our loyalty and commitment to defending the Federal Republic of Nigeria remain unshakable. Let us also remember our fallen heroes whose gallantry and sacrifice have made our country safer. Their memory lives on in our hearts and we will continue to honour them by caring for their families and ensuring their sacrifices never go in vain.

As we step into the New Year, let us strengthen our unity as one formidable and disciplined force, while continuing to uphold the trust placed upon us by the President and Commander-in-Chief, the government and the good people of Nigeria. I also express our deepest gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief for his unwavering confidence, strategic leadership and consistent support to the Nigerian Army. Under his guidance, we have witnessed improved funding for critical operations, enhanced training infrastructure, acquisition of modern equipment and strengthened welfare initiatives for personnel and their families.

On this note, I wish every officer, soldier, civilian staff and their families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2026, filled with peace, joy and renewed blessings.

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu is Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army