The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, has extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to Nigerian Army officers, soldiers, and their families on the occasion of the 2026 Eid-el-Fitr celebration, urging personnel to remain united, disciplined, and steadfast in service to the nation.
In his goodwill message to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the COAS described Eid-el-Fitr as a joyous and spiritually uplifting occasion, commending Muslim personnel and their families for successfully completing the sacred month of fasting, devotion, sacrifice, and self-discipline.
Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration was particularly significant, as the Ramadan fast coincided with the Christian Lenten season, creating what he described as a rare and powerful symbol of unity within the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the simultaneous observance of both sacred seasons by Muslim and Christian personnel served as a reminder that, although forms of worship may differ, the core values of sacrifice, humility, compassion, prayer, self-restraint, and renewal remain common and are also fundamental to military service.
The Army Chief said the unique convergence of Ramadan and Lent demonstrated that diversity of faith, when rooted in mutual respect, strengthens rather than divides the Armed Forces, stressing that unity does not require uniformity.
He urged officers and soldiers to continue cherishing and upholding this shared strength, while also using the festive period as a time of solemn reflection to honour fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation.
The COAS paid tribute to gallant officers and soldiers who lost their lives in service, describing their courage, patriotism, and selfless devotion as enduring sources of inspiration that continue to strengthen the resolve of the Nigerian Army in defending peace, unity, and national sovereignty.
He also expressed appreciation for troops currently deployed across various theatres of operation, acknowledging their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and protecting citizens, even as many remain far from their families during the celebration.
Lieutenant General Shaibu assured personnel that their welfare remains a central pillar of his leadership and command philosophy, emphasizing that the strength of the Army lies not only in its equipment and operational capability, but also in the wellbeing, morale, and confidence of its personnel.
He reaffirmed his commitment to improving living conditions, enhancing professional development, strengthening support systems for families, and ensuring that every member of the Nigerian Army is treated with dignity, fairness, and care.
The COAS further highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in national security efforts, expressing appreciation to sister Services as well as security and intelligence agencies for their professionalism, dedication, and continued synergy in sustaining operational success and national stability.
He also conveyed profound gratitude to President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support, steadfast leadership, and continued commitment to the welfare, operational effectiveness, and institutional development of the Armed Forces.
As part of his message, Lieutenant General Shaibu urged personnel to carry forward the lessons of Ramadan by embracing compassion, discipline, humility, gratitude, honour, professionalism, and loyalty in the discharge of their duties.
He prayed for peace, renewed strength, and a greater sense of purpose for all officers, soldiers, and their families, while wishing them a peaceful, joyful, and blessed Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
