The Nigerian Army has announced plans to return selected veterans of its peace support missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone to the countries where they served decades ago, describing the initiative as part of this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) and a lasting recognition of their sacrifices in restoring regional peace.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed the initiative on Friday in Abuja while outlining activities for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026.
He described the program as a major highlight of this year’s celebration, aimed at honoring veterans of the early 1990s ECOMOG peacekeeping missions.
“Some of our officers and men who served in Sierra Leone, Liberia and other countries during the peacekeeping missions of the early 1990s have been selected to return to those countries to see what their efforts have achieved,” Shaibu said.
Many of these veterans have not revisited Liberia since their tours of duty and will now have the opportunity to see the lasting impact of their service in helping to end the conflict and restore stability.
The initiative is viewed as a tangible way for Nigeria to express gratitude to the men and women who risked their lives in one of West Africa’s most devastating conflicts.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu emphasized that the gesture is also meant to boost the morale of currently serving personnel.
“They should know that they will be honored for life, and as long as the nation endures, those coming behind them will appreciate the sacrifices they are making,” he said.
Nigeria contributed approximately 10,000 to 12,000 troops at the peak of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) intervention in Liberia. Out of the roughly 15,000 to 16,000 total peacekeepers deployed, Nigeria provided the vast majority of the forces, commanders, and logistical support throughout the seven-year mission.
Nigeria bore the brunt of both the military operations and financial costs, spending at least $8 billion and sustaining around 500 fatalities during the mission. The ECOMOG mission first landed in Liberia in 1990 to quell the First Liberian Civil War, and the primary deployment concluded following elections in 1997.
