The Nigerian Army has commenced activities to mark its 162nd anniversary, popularly known as the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, with special Juma’at prayers held across all its formations and units on Friday, 27 June 2025.

This year’s celebration, themed “Developing the Soldier First Concept: Imperative for the Nigerian Army’s Transformation Drive,” began with a central Juma’at service at the Guards Brigade Mosque, Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja, drawing Muslim faithful, senior officers, soldiers, and their families.

Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, at the Abuja prayer session, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Abubakar Ndalolo, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the Army's enduring legacy and achievements over its 162-year history. He called on officers and soldiers to remain loyal, disciplined, and committed in the discharge of their constitutional duties, while praying for peace and unity in the country.

Also speaking during the event, the Director of Islamic Affairs, Brigadier General Usman Musa, led a special prayer session for Nigeria, the Armed Forces, and specifically the Nigerian Army. He also prayed for the country’s leaders and personnel deployed across various operational theatres.

The prayer session was attended by senior military officers from Defence and Service Headquarters, the Deputy President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Bilkisu Ibrahim, other NAOWA members, and families of personnel.

The Juma’at prayer officially heralds a series of events scheduled to mark NADCEL 2025, culminating in a grand finale to be held at the Polo Ground in Kaduna State on 6 July 2025.