The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Wednesday inaugurated Pre-Retirement Course 1/2026, with the Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, urging participants to brace for the realities of civilian life while taking full advantage of the Centre’s entrepreneurship-focused training.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Buhari Hall, AVM Ilo described NAFRC as “a citadel of courage and hope,” stressing that the Centre’s mandate is to equip retiring personnel with practical skills for productive and dignified living after service.
He congratulated the participants on their nomination for what he described as a highly competitive pre-retirement programme, noting that the six month course had been carefully structured to combine lectures with hands on training aimed at job creation, self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, feedback from previous participants showed that many graduates of the Centre were now thriving entrepreneurs across different sectors of the economy. “Our expectation is that at the end of this programme, you will be well prepared to operate profitably in a highly competitive environment,” he said.
AVM Ilo cautioned participants against underestimating the challenges of post-service life, warning that civilian society was markedly different from the regimented and supportive environment of the Armed Forces. He advised them to manage expectations, control emotions and prioritise their families, whom he described as their most dependable support system after retirement.
He also underscored the importance of discipline, time management and adherence to regulations throughout the course, reminding participants that Defence Headquarters’ directives on social media use remained in force at the Centre, with strict sanctions for violations.
The Commandant thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Minister of Defence and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support, assuring participants of a safe, conducive learning environment.
In an interaction with journalists, AVM Ilo said the Centre was intensifying efforts to modernise its training by leveraging technology and upgrading facilities to align with international best practices. He disclosed that emerging technologies were being gradually introduced into the curriculum, with plans for expanded modules in future courses.
Earlier, the newly appointed Director of Training, Brigadier General Isang Akpaumontia, formally welcomed participants and outlined the composition of Course 1/2026. He said 823 personnel were posted to the course, drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, out of which 718 had so far reported and been duly documented, accommodated and medically screened.
He added that 85 participants were declared medically unfit and returned to their units for further treatment, noting that the Centre would maintain contact with them ahead of graduation documentation.
Brigadier General Akpaumontia reaffirmed that NAFRC remained a world-class institution dedicated to entrepreneurship and management training, urging participants to uphold high standards of character and learning as senior representatives of their respective services.