The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, held a graduation ceremony today to mark the completion of the Entrepreneurship and Management Course 15/2025, with 32 senior and mid-level officers formally conferred as graduates of the programme.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officials, dignitaries, and representatives from the Empretec Nigeria Foundation. Among the guests was Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Onari Duke, Chairperson of the Empretec Nigeria Foundation, who delivered a keynote address emphasizing the power of entrepreneurship in transforming lives and communities.
“This programme has equipped you with essential skills in entrepreneurship and management, enabling you to run agribusiness ventures while still in service and prepare for successful life after retirement,” she said. “Your new knowledge is not just for personal growth but also to positively impact your units, families, and communities.”
Dr. Duke highlighted the four-fold benefits of entrepreneurship job creation, innovation, personal growth, and community development and encouraged graduates to apply their training actively, rather than waiting until post-retirement to begin making an impact. She urged the officers to be “great ambassadors for Nigeria and the world at large.”
Delivering the course summary, Brigadier General I.O. Olatunji, Director of Training at NAFRC, reported that a total of 33 officers were admitted, but 32 completed the programme after one participant was recalled due to service exigencies.
The course, conducted in collaboration with Empretec Nigeria Foundation, featured five integrated modules: Agriculture, Emotional Intelligence, Business Management and Legal Advisory, Health and Lifestyle, Entrepreneurship Technical Training.
Participants underwent intensive lectures, workshops, and practical sessions including a two-day Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW), which culminated in group business model presentations. The exercise was praised for its creativity, teamwork, and feasibility.
In addition to classroom learning, officers embarked on three local and one international tour, including: Spectra Industries Ltd (Food processing and packaging), National Conservation Centre, Lekki (Eco-tourism and environmental management), Commint BUKA Restaurant, Surulere (Business operations of local restaurants), Songhai Farms, Porto Novo, Benin Republic (Integrated smart agriculture and zero-waste practices).
According to Gen. Olatunji, the tour experiences “enhanced understanding of real-world business challenges and opportunities.”
In his address, Air Vice Marshal BR Mamman, Commandant of NAFRC, commended the graduating officers for their discipline, dedication, and professionalism. He described the programme as a “strategic initiative to empower officers for post-service life and improve their current service delivery.”
“You are engines of growth, creators of wealth, and drivers of innovation in a rapidly evolving world,” AVM Mamman said. “Your leadership must now be used to empower others, drive change, and build teams that contribute to national development.”
He noted the enhancement of the course curriculum and the Centre’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to ease business registration for participants. He also emphasized the importance of innovation, adaptability, and purposeful leadership in shaping the nation’s future.
The Commandant expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (OFR), the service chiefs, and the President, Commander-in-Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), for their continued support of the Centre’s vision.
Graduates received joint certification from NAFRC and Empretec Nigeria Foundation. Although non-graded, awards were presented to the best-performing groups in recognition of creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial insight.
The Commandant officially conferred graduation on the participants, encouraging them to begin applying their skills immediately within their bases and communities.
“Lead with purpose and passion. Innovate and adapt. Empower others. Drive change. Make positive impact. Be brave, be curious, and be kind.”
As the curtains closed on Course 15/2025, the message was clear: Retirement is not the end of service, it’s the beginning of enterprise.