The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, has graduated 33 mid and senior level officers who completed the Entrepreneurship and Management Course 19/2026, designed to equip them with skills for productive engagement after active military service.
The graduation ceremony brought together senior officers, representatives of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation and other stakeholders committed to human capital development and economic empowerment.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, described the programme as a strategic platform for preparing security personnel for life after active service.
Jimoh, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, commended the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, for strengthening the centre’s entrepreneurship and management training programmes.
He stressed the longstanding relationship between the police and the Armed Forces, saying both institutions had worked together in several domestic and international operations to promote peace and national security.
According to him, the relationship extends beyond active service, as retired officers of both institutions continue to contribute their experience and expertise to national development.
Jimoh recalled his participation in international peacekeeping operations with several senior military officers, noting that such experiences had reinforced the bond between the police and military.
He said his personal background had also strengthened his connection with the Armed Forces, recalling that his father was a Nigerian Army soldier and had taken pride in his career and promotions in the police.
The AIG said the police would seek greater participation in future entrepreneurship programmes at NAFRC, adding that he had already secured the IGP’s approval for police officers to participate in subsequent editions.
He urged the graduating officers not to limit themselves to seeking security jobs after retirement, but to deploy the skills acquired during the course to establish businesses, create jobs and contribute to the economy.
Jimoh also pledged to facilitate the participation of a professor of entrepreneurship, with whom he had studied, as a resource person for future programmes at the centre.
In his welcome address, Ilo said the graduation represented an important milestone in the centre’s efforts to equip officers with practical knowledge in entrepreneurship and business management.
He urged the graduands to apply the knowledge acquired at NAFRC to their respective services, communities and future businesses, while maintaining the values of discipline, integrity and professionalism.
Ilo commended EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation, its Country Representative, Dr Mrs Onari Duke, facilitators, instructors and the centre’s management for their contributions to the success of the programme.
The Commandant also expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, Chief of Defence Intelligence and other senior military authorities for approving the nominations and providing resources for the training.
He acknowledged the support of the Minister of Defence and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiatives aimed at strengthening capacity development within the Armed Forces.
Giving an overview of the programme, the Director of Training, Brigadier General Isang E. Akpaumontia, said 33 officers participated in Course 19/2026, comprising 17 mid level and 16 senior level nominations, alongside two senior officers sponsored by the Commandant.
Akpaumontia said the participants were drawn from the Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Space Administration, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and NAFRC.
He explained that the training covered agriculture, emotional intelligence, business management, legal advisory, health and lifestyle, entrepreneurship and technical modules, with practical sessions designed to strengthen participants’ capacity to establish and manage enterprises.
The participants also undertook local and international study tours, visiting businesses and institutions including Beloxxi Industries, the National Conservation Centre, Cormart Nigeria Limited, FoodCo Bukka Restaurant and Songhai Farm in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.
The Director of Training said the tours exposed the officers to manufacturing, agriculture, food services, biodiversity, renewable energy, integrated farming and zero waste practices, helping them connect classroom lessons with real business operations.
In her address, the Country Representative of EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation, Dr Mrs Onari Duke, said the programme was designed to transform military service, leadership experience and professional discipline into sustainable enterprise and economic impact.
Duke urged the graduands to become builders of businesses, champions of integrity and agents of economic resilience by identifying opportunities, creating jobs and developing solutions in agriculture, technology, manufacturing and services.
She said the graduands had left the programme as entrepreneurs equipped to apply their experience beyond the uniform, adding that EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation would remain available for mentorship, post training support and networking.
The 33 officers subsequently received joint NAFRC and EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation certificates after fulfilling the requirements of the non graded course, with outstanding participants also recognised for their performance in practical exercises and group business presentations.