The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre has inaugurated the Senior and Mid-Level Entrepreneurship and Management Course 18/2026, aimed at equipping military personnel with entrepreneurial, managerial, and leadership skills for productive post-service lives.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Centre in Oshodi, Lagos, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, described the course as a highly coveted programme designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the civilian business environment and prepare them for rewarding engagements after active service.
He said the training would strengthen participants’ decision-making abilities while cultivating innovation, resilience, and adaptability needed to navigate the dynamic world of business and leadership.
The Commandant expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence for approving the nominations of participants for the course. He also thanked the Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the resources necessary for the training programme.
AVM Ilo further commended Onari Duke for initiating the partnership that introduced the entrepreneurship programme to the Armed Forces, noting that the initiative would help officers prepare adequately for life after service.
The Special Guest of Honour, Abubakar Sule, lauded the Centre for evolving beyond its traditional resettlement mandate into a hub for entrepreneurship development, skills acquisition, and managerial capacity building.
According to him, entrepreneurship has become a necessity and a critical driver of economic growth, job creation, and self-reliance in today’s competitive environment.
He urged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the course by embracing discipline, commitment, innovation, and ethical conduct, stressing that sustainable success is built on integrity, accountability, and social responsibility.
Sule also charged participants to position themselves not merely as job seekers but as job creators capable of leading enterprises and contributing meaningfully to national development.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Empretec Nigeria Foundation Country Representative, Lemmy Omololu said the programme was designed to empower officers with the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to translate military service into enterprise and innovation.
He noted that the initiative reflects the strong partnership between Empretec Nigeria Foundation and NAFRC in promoting capacity building and economic empowerment for military personnel.
Omololu disclosed that the programme features expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, peer-learning sessions, and strategic study tours to organisations including Spectra Industries, Songhai Farm, the Nigerian Conservation Centre, and Cormat.
According to him, the curriculum for senior officers focuses on strategic leadership, project management, corporate governance, profitability, and conflict resolution, while the mid-level officers’ programme emphasises emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, wellness, legal frameworks, and customer engagement strategies.
He added that both cohorts of participants would graduate on May 29, 2026, after completing the intensive entrepreneurship and management training programme.
The inauguration ceremony concluded with the formal declaration of the course by the Commandant, who charged participants to take advantage of the training in preparation for life beyond military service.
