NAFRC

The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, has received a major boost to its entrepreneurship and management development initiative as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 2 Command, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, pledged to facilitate the participation of Nigeria Police Force personnel in future editions of the programme.

Jimoh made the commitment on Friday, September 4, 2026, when he served as Special Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony of the Senior and Mid-Level Officers’ Entrepreneurship and Management Course 19/2026 at the NAFRC.

The AIG commended the Commandant of the Centre, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, for sustaining the initiative, describing the programme as an important platform for preparing officers for productive engagement, self-reliance and successful transition to civilian life.

He stressed the need for the Police and other sister security agencies to benefit from the training, noting that security agencies work together in safeguarding the nation and should equally collaborate in capacity development.

Jimoh assured the gathering that the Nigeria Police Force would participate in subsequent courses, a commitment that drew applause from the audience.

The AIG also commended the Centre’s partnership with Empretec Nigeria Foundation, saying the practical entrepreneurship and management exposure would equip participants to establish viable businesses, create employment and contribute to national development.

Earlier, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, said the graduation represented another milestone in the Centre’s mandate of preparing officers for productive life beyond active service.

Ilo expressed confidence that the graduating officers were now better positioned to excel in enterprise development and business management, urging them to apply the knowledge acquired during the training in their respective Services and formations.

He further charged the graduands to remain good ambassadors of the Centre and share the knowledge gained with others.

The Commandant said NAFRC had, over the years, sought to involve the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in its entrepreneurship programme, stressing that broader participation would strengthen harmony, unity and cooperation among the nation’s security institutions.

He appreciated the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Service Chiefs, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Chief of Defence Space Administration for approving the nominations and providing the necessary resources for the training.

Ilo also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their continued support for capacity-building initiatives within the Armed Forces.

He commended the Country Representative of Empretec Nigeria Foundation, Dr. Onari Duke, and her team of facilitators for contributing their expertise to the successful implementation of the course.

Giving an overview of the training, the Director of Training, Brigadier General Isang Akpaumontia, said 33 officers participated in Course 19/2026.

The participants were drawn from the Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Space Administration, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.

According to him, the Mid-Level Officers’ training commenced on August 3 and lasted five weeks, while the Senior-Level Officers’ course commenced on August 10 and lasted four weeks.

He said the programme was designed to equip participants with entrepreneurship, leadership and managerial skills while exposing them to opportunities and challenges in the contemporary business environment.

The training covered agriculture, emotional intelligence, business management, legal advisory, health and lifestyle, as well as technical entrepreneurship.

Akpaumontia explained that the participants were exposed to both classroom instruction and practical learning through workshops, study tours and interactions with experienced entrepreneurs.

A major component of the programme was the Entrepreneur Training Workshop, where participants developed and presented business models within a short period.

He said the participants demonstrated considerable creativity and produced viable and sustainable business models with marketable products, adding that the exercise also strengthened teamwork and professional networks among the officers.

The participants also embarked on local and international study tours to broaden their practical understanding of enterprise development and management.

The local visits included Spectra Industries Ltd., Agege; the National Conservation Centre, Lekki; Cormart Nigeria Ltd.; and Commint Buka Restaurant, Surulere.

The visits exposed the officers to industrial operations, manufacturing processes, biodiversity conservation and the management of privately owned businesses.

The participants also travelled to the Songhai Farming Community in Porto Novo, Republic of Benin, where they were exposed to integrated farming, smart agriculture, zero-waste agricultural practices, renewable energy and environmentally sustainable production.

Akpaumontia said the course objectives were assessed during a course critique held at the conclusion of the lecture and practical sessions, adding that the feedback received would assist the Centre in improving future editions.

He disclosed that all 33 participants successfully completed the requirements for the award of the Joint NAFRC and Empretec Nigeria Foundation Certificate.

Although the course was non-graded, participants were assessed individually and as groups during practical exercises and syndicate activities, with awards presented to outstanding groups in recognition of teamwork and individual contributions.

In his remarks, AIG Jimoh urged the graduands not to keep the knowledge acquired to themselves but to share it with colleagues and other personnel within their formations.

He said the success of the programme demonstrated the importance of sustained investment in human capacity development, particularly in preparing officers for the economic realities that accompany retirement from active service.

The graduation ceremony brought together the NAFRC leadership, senior military officers, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Empretec Nigeria Foundation, facilitators, industry stakeholders, invited guests and members of the media.

The development further underscored the growing relevance of NAFRC’s entrepreneurship initiative as a platform for equipping security personnel with skills for enterprise development, self-reliance and productive post-service engagement.