NAFRC Inaugurates 15th Entrepreneurship, Management Course for 33 Mid, Senior Officers

The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, has inaugurated the 15th edition of its Middle and Senior-Level Officers’ Entrepreneurship and Management Course, with 33 participants drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

The Director of Training, Brigadier General IO Olatunji, while welcoming participants, he disclosed that although the Centre had expected 85 officers for Course 15/2025, only 33 nominations were received—17 for mid-level and 16 for senior-level categories. He noted that the participants were nominated by the Army, Navy, Air Force, DIA, and DHQ, but none came from sister security agencies such as the Police, Immigration, and Customs.

According to him, the course had commenced earlier in August, with modules covering agriculture, entrepreneurship, and management skills. “This is the third senior officers’ entrepreneurship and management training being conducted this year in line with NAFRC’s 2025 forecast of events,” Brig Gen Olatunji said. He explained that the training would include lectures, workshops, and study tours in collaboration with Empretec Nigeria Foundation (ENF), Lagos, and Songhai Farms in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic.

He further noted that the Empretec Nigeria Foundation, a private-sector initiative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), remains a key partner in the programme. Highlighting its impact, he said: “The ENF has consistently provided targeted training for the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises, and our officers stand to gain immensely from this exposure.”

Also speaking at the event, Her Excellency Dr. Onari Duke, who represented ENF, described the training as a critical intervention in preparing military officers for life beyond service. She praised the Armed Forces for sustaining the programme and ensuring that officers develop skills relevant for entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable business ventures.

She revealed that the mid-level officers had already completed their first two weeks of training, which included agricultural modules and the Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW). “The ETW exercise was an opportunity for participants to showcase their skills in taking calculated risks, and one of the participants, Wg Cdr DT Ogunleye, excelled in the Ring Toss activity, winning a monetary award,” she noted.

Dr. Duke also outlined the training highlights, which include modules on leadership, profitability, project management, conflict resolution, corporate governance, and marketing strategies. “This course is designed to empower both senior and mid-level officers with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s entrepreneurial landscape,” she said. She added that the practical components, including visits to Spectra Industries, the Nigerian Conservation Centre, Commint Buka, and Songhai Farms, would give participants real-life exposure to successful enterprise models.

Declaring the course open, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal BR Mamman, said the training underscores the Armed Forces’ commitment to capacity building, welfare, and national development. He explained that the initiative was designed to expose participants to the realities of the civilian business environment while equipping them with entrepreneurial and managerial skills.

“This is not just about preparing you for retirement; it is about equipping you with the resilience, adaptability, and innovation needed to succeed in today’s dynamic business world,” he said. AVM Mamman added that over 235 senior officers have benefitted from the course since its inception, with many establishing small and medium-scale businesses. He further stressed that, unlike the pre-retirement courses, this training gives serving officers ample time to plan and strategize before leaving service.

The Commandant also revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff had approved the quarterly conduct of the course following positive feedback from earlier editions. “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” he told participants, urging them to take every phase of the training seriously and begin to develop concrete business plans. He also assured them that arrangements had been made for the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to facilitate business registration processes during the programme.