The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, has commenced Pre-Discharge Course 2/2026 for 840 retiring military personnel, aimed at equipping them with vocational, entrepreneurial and management skills for a successful transition to civilian life.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ilo, congratulated the participants on reaching a significant milestone in their military careers.
He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to preparing retiring personnel for productive post-service careers through practical skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training.
Air Vice Marshal Ilo said that “the course has 840 nominated participants, comprising 523 personnel from the Nigerian Army, 89 from the Nigerian Navy and 228 from the Nigerian Air Force.”
According to him, 689 participants had already been received, documented, accommodated and medically screened, while others were still expected to report.
Air Vice Marshal Ilo said “the Centre offers training in diverse fields, including agriculture, information technology, auto mechanics, water production technology, bakery and confectionery, tailoring and fashion design, welding and fabrication, refrigeration and air conditioning, leather works, photography, fine arts, ceramics, security and business management”.
He said that “participants would also undergo entrepreneurship development programmes, counselling, industrial attachments, study tours and general studies designed to enhance their practical skills and prepare them for economic self-reliance after retirement’.
The Commandant urged the participants to maintain the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and integrity throughout the residential programme, stressing that they remained ambassadors of their respective Services.
He also advised them to comply with the Centre’s regulations, security directives and training schedules while taking advantage of available medical, recreational and sporting facilities.
The Director of Training, Brigadier General Isang Akpaumontia, welcomed the participants, sayijg the inauguration marked the official commencement of their resettlement training programme.
He noted that the Centre had already conducted documentation, biometric capture, medical screening, workshop orientation, counselling sessions and guided tours to enable participants select vocational courses aligned with their interests and post-service aspirations.
Akpaumontia said “the training curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare participants for today’s competitive business environment, adding that NAFRC remains committed to producing confident, competent and entrepreneurial retirees capable of contributing to national development”.
Declaring the course open, the Guest of Honour, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, described retirement as the beginning of a new phase filled with opportunities rather than the end of productive service.
He commended the leadership of NAFRC for its sustained commitment to empowering retiring military personnel with vocational, entrepreneurial, managerial and life skills, describing the Centre as one of Africa’s foremost military resettlement institutions.
Major General Babalola urged participants to approach the programme with dedication and an open mind, noting that the training in entrepreneurship, business management, financial literacy, information technology and vocational skills would enable them to become successful entrepreneurs, employers of labour and community leaders.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel both during active service and after retirement, while expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs and other stakeholders for their continued support for the Centre.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Director of Training, senior officers, directors, principal staff officers, commanding officers, heads of departments, instructors, participants, distinguished guests and members of the media.
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