Chief of Defence Staff
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede has sent his special Christmas message to all Nigerians even as he hailed the gallant soldiers of the Armed Forces for their ‘selfless service’.
Read his full message.
GOODWILL MESSAGE BY CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF GENERAL OO OLUYEDE AFM NAM CMH GSS psc mni FCM FCMH TSM GOM CCA ON THE OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS 2025 AND NEW YEAR 2026
As we commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I extend my warm Christmas greetings to all Nigerians and members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Christmas is a season that embodies love, sacrifice, hope and renewal. It offers us a solemn opportunity to reflect on our shared humanity, our collective responsibilities as a nation as well as our unwavering commitment to peace, unity and national progress.
To the good people of Nigeria, I express my profound appreciation for your resilience, patriotism and continued support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria. In spite of the multifaceted security challenges confronting our nation, your steadfast belief in the Nigerian project remains a vital source of strength and motivation to our troops. The trust, cooperation and synergy between the military and the citizenry are indispensable to the attainment of sustainable peace and security.
I therefore assure you that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to remain resolute in our constitutional mandate to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic institutions.
I pay special tribute to our gallant frontline troops who, even during this sacred season, remain deployed across various theatres of operation in the defence of our nation. Your courage, discipline, professionalism and selfless service often at great personal sacrifice epitomise the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
You remain vigilant, confronting diverse threats to our collective peace and security, while others enjoy Christmas with their loved ones. For this, the nation owes you an immeasurable debt of gratitude.Let me reassure our personnel that their welfare remains a top priority and main focus of the leadership of the Armed Forces.
To this end, the Military Strategic Philosophy for the Armed Forces of Nigeria is “To consolidate the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria through enhanced jointness for a reinforced operational posture, supported by improved welfare efforts and sound administration aimed at ensuring the Armed Forces maintain its core military fundamentals of guaranteeing Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity under a whole of government approach”.
We are firmly committed to improving the living and working conditions of our personnel and their families through enhanced welfare packages, improved healthcare delivery, better accommodation, timely payment of allowances and sustained support for the families of our fallen heroes.
As we celebrate this season of goodwill, I urge all members of the Armed Forces to reflect on the teachings of Christ which expresses peace, love, forgiveness, selflessness and purposeful service. All are to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We must also continue to uphold the values of honour, integrity and service to the nation.
I call on all Nigerians to use this festive period to promote peace, tolerance and unity across ethnic, religious and cultural lines. Our diversity remains our strength and our collective resolve is the foundation upon which a secure, stable and prosperous Nigeria will be built.
I seize this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces.
To our sister security agencies, I call for sustained collaboration, synergy and unity of effort in our collective quest to safeguard our dear nation.
I wish us all a joyful Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year.
OO OLUYEDEGeneralChief of Defence StaffDECEMBER 2025