The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) intensified its civil-military cooperation activities in September 2026, with a series of initiatives focused on skills acquisition, education and drug-abuse prevention among women, youths and students.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed this on Wednesday, September 30, during its Combined Monthly/Third Quarter Media Briefing on ongoing military operations across the country.
The activities formed part of the AFN’s broader efforts to strengthen relationships with host communities and complement its kinetic operations with non-kinetic interventions aimed at promoting empowerment, education and responsible citizenship.
In Enugu, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) graduated beneficiaries of its Skills Acquisition Programme on September 22.
The beneficiaries were trained in fashion designing, baking and catering, among other vocational skills, and were presented with start-up materials and other relevant items to support them in establishing their own businesses.
The initiative, according to the Defence Headquarters, underscored NAOWA’s commitment to empowering women and youths with practical skills for self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Further strengthening its education-focused community engagement, the AFN, in partnership with the Nwanna Arinze Foundation, distributed school bags and books to pupils and students in Enugu on September 24.
Beneficiaries included pupils and students of Command Day Secondary School, Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association Primary School and Command Children Schools in Abakpa Military Cantonment.
The intervention was carried out under the Foundation’s “Back to School Initiative”, designed to encourage pupils, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds, to return to school for the 2026/2027 academic session with renewed confidence and dignity.
The Defence Headquarters said the initiative reflected the military’s commitment to building lasting partnerships with host communities and civil society organisations while supporting access to education.
In Yobe State, troops also engaged more than 300 students in an anti-drug awareness campaign on September 24.
The campaign, themed “Education as a Strategic Tool for Combating Drugs and Substance Abuse: Impact on National Security,” focused on sensitising the students to the dangers of drug and substance abuse and its implications for national security.
The students were encouraged to embrace education, discipline, responsible citizenship and positive choices as safeguards against involvement in criminal activities.
The engagement also highlighted the security implications of drug abuse and the potential for criminal and terrorist networks to exploit vulnerable youths.
The Defence Headquarters said such interventions were part of the AFN’s effort to integrate Civil-Military Cooperation into its operational priorities nationwide, recognising that sustainable security requires both military action and stronger relationships with communities.
The initiatives also demonstrated the Armed Forces’ continued emphasis on non-kinetic approaches to addressing issues that can contribute to insecurity, particularly youth vulnerability, unemployment, substance abuse and limited educational opportunities.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended the collaboration between the AFN, civil society organisations and local communities, noting the importance of collective efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
The AFN reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining meaningful engagements with communities while supporting initiatives that promote empowerment, education, social responsibility and peaceful coexistence.
The military authorities maintained that stronger civil-military partnerships would complement ongoing operations and contribute to creating a safer and more resilient environment for Nigerians.
