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By Philip Nwosu
No fewer than 718 military personnel in the ranks of corporals, sergeants, warrant officers and master warrant officers have indicated interest in leaving the service of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The 718 personnel, drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, have been sent to the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) to help them transition from regimental life and prepare for post-service living.
Inducting the personnel into NAFRC for training, the Commandant of the Centre, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, warned participants of Course 1/2026 that civilian life is significantly different from the regimented military environment, describing the outside world as “highly competitive.”
He urged the personnel to adjust their mindset, manage expectations and prioritise family welfare.
“Once you leave here, it is you and your family. That is when you truly understand the meaning of family first,” he said.
He welcomed the officers and described NAFRC as “a citadel of courage and hope,” established to prepare retiring personnel for meaningful and productive civilian life.
He congratulated the participants on their nomination to what he described as a “highly coveted retirement course,” noting that the six-month programme was carefully structured to equip them with practical and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance after disengagement from military service.
“In line with our mandate, the Centre provides quality training, engages in research and development, and offers consultancy services aimed at preparing participants to face the challenges of life after service,” the Commandant said.
According to him, the course features lectures and hands-on practical sessions designed to help participants establish profitable ventures that promote job creation, self-sustenance and worthwhile living. He added that feedback from previous graduates showed that many alumni of the Centre were thriving entrepreneurs across various sectors of the economy.
The Commandant stressed the importance of discipline, diligence and effective use of time during the course, noting that these factors would largely determine participants’ success. He also cautioned against rigidly imposing military regimentation in civilian engagements, advising participants to adapt appropriately to avoid future challenges.
On discipline, he reiterated that the Centre would maintain strict standards, including full compliance with Defence Headquarters’ directives on the misuse of social media. He warned that violations would attract severe disciplinary measures, including dismissal from the course.
AVM Ilo assured participants that appropriate channels were available for lodging complaints or concerns, urging them to remain mature and professional at all times.
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He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Minister of Defence, and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for their support and for facilitating the training.
The Commandant assured participants of a safe, clean and conducive learning environment, emphasising that their comfort, safety and security were a collective responsibility.
“I urge you all to put in your best, complete the course successfully and return to your families safe and sound after years of meritorious service to our dear country,” he said.
He concluded by formally inaugurating the participants as members of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Course 1/2026, praying for a rewarding and successful training period.
Earlier, the Director of Training at NAFRC, Brigadier General Isang Akpaumontia, disclosed that out of the total number nominated, 718 participants were seated on parade, having been duly received, documented, accommodated and medically screened.
He said that following the medical screening exercise, about 85 participants were declared medically unfit for the course, while 15 others were yet to report, noting that those found medically unfit were returned to their respective units to continue treatment closer to their families.
The Director of Training further disclosed that the Centre would maintain contact with the affected participants for documentation and biometric capture to enable them work towards graduation alongside their course mates at a later date.
General Akpaumontia reiterated NAFRC’s mandate, focused on entrepreneurship and management training for Armed Forces personnel, with the objective of ensuring seamless reintegration into contemporary civil society after about 25 years of military service. The Centre described itself as a world-class institution, adequately equipped with skilled manpower and modern facilities to achieve its mandate and course objectives.
Participants were urged to put in their best efforts and maximise the opportunities offered by the programme. The Centre noted that following documentation and medical screening, participants had undergone workshops and counselling sessions to help them select relevant vocational skills, alongside guided tours of workshops and recreational facilities within the Centre.
The Commandant emphasised the need for a high level of discipline, stressing that participants must be worthy in both character and learning before earning certification from the institution. Senior non-commissioned officers and warrant officers on the course were also reminded to act as good ambassadors of their respective services.
The Centre further noted that the course is fully residential, with all participants accommodated within the facility. Given Lagos’ status as a cosmopolitan city with unique traffic and security challenges, participants were advised to remain within the Centre, as unauthorised absence from parade, training or course activities would not be tolerated.
