Chiemelie Ezeobi
In a significant step towards preparing Nigerian military officers for life beyond service, the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) has inaugurated Course 14/2025 of its Middle and Senior-Level Officers’ Entrepreneurship and Management Programme.
The initiative, held in partnership with EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation, marks the second of four courses scheduled for the year and aims to instill vital entrepreneurial and managerial skills among officers still in service.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony on Monday, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Mamman, underscored the life-changing potential of the programme.
While clarifying that the training is not a pre-retirement initiative, he emphasised its importance in preparing officers for the realities of post-service life.
“This Course will equip you with the skills, mindset, and resilience needed to navigate the dynamic world of business and leadership,” said AVM Mamman. “It aligns with our mandate to provide quality training that adequately prepares personnel for reintegration into civilian life.”
AVM Mamman revealed that over 47,000 personnel—drawn from the Senior Non-Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers’ cadre—have undergone training at NAFRC to date.
Many of these ex-servicemen and women now run successful small and medium-scale enterprises across the country.
He added that more than 200 senior officers have benefitted from the entrepreneurship course since its inception, with expectations that the number will rise significantly in 2025 due to its quarterly implementation.
The training covers a wide range of subject areas, including entrepreneurship, agriculture, business law, human resource management, and marketing. AVM Mamman stressed the importance of commitment and adaptability in succeeding as an entrepreneur.
“Success in entrepreneurship is not just about a great idea, but about strategic planning, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to hard work,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs Onari Duke, Country Director of EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation, praised the Defence Headquarters and NAFRC leadership for their dedication to capacity building.
She highlighted the programme’s relevance in the current economic climate, where shifting focus from traditional employment to entrepreneurship is increasingly necessary.
“NAFRC’s commitment to capacity building is critical in today’s entrepreneurial landscape,” Mrs Duke stated. “This course will empower senior and mid-level officers with the skills required to succeed as entrepreneurs and managers in their post-service journeys.”
She further elaborated on the programme’s curriculum, which includes a blend of practical sessions, workshops, and study visits to successful enterprises such as Spectra Industries, Calaway Farms, Commint Buka, and Songhai Farm in Port Novo.
According to her, the training represents more than just skill acquisition; it is a rare opportunity for officers to reflect, recalibrate, and chart a new path of personal growth and societal impact.
The course modules for senior officers include 21st Century Leadership Challenge, Strategic Thinking for Profitability, Financial Modelling and Budget Forecasting, Project Management, Conflict Resolution, and Corporate Governance.
Meanwhile, mid-level officers are being trained in Emotional Mastery, Inventory Management, Health and Wellness, Business Expansion, and Product Specification.
The Commandant formally declared the course open and charged participants to seize the opportunity to plan strategically and begin laying the foundation for their entrepreneurial future while still in active service.
The ceremony concluded with tributes to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for his visionary support, and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast leadership and commitment to the welfare of military personnel.
Essentially, this initiative reflects NAFRC’s unwavering vision of empowering service members for seamless reintegration into civilian life through entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise development.
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