The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi, has commenced its Pre-Discharge Course 2/2026, with 840 retiring military personnel nominated to acquire vocational, entrepreneurial and management skills aimed at ensuring a smooth transition from military service to productive civilian life.
Declaring the course open, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, urged participants to view retirement not as the end of their careers but as the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities for leadership, innovation and national service.
Representing the Special Guest of Honour, Maj. Gen. Babalola commended the leadership of NAFRC for its sustained commitment to preparing retiring personnel for life after service through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship training, financial literacy and vocational education.
He described the Centre as one of Africa’s foremost military resettlement institutions, noting that it has continued to make significant contributions to the welfare of retired personnel and Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
The GOC encouraged participants to take the training seriously, stressing that the discipline, resilience, professionalism and integrity acquired during their military careers would remain valuable assets in their future endeavours. He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of members of the Armed Forces during and after active service.
Maj. Gen. Babalola appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Servi”e Chiefs and other stakeholders for their continued support towards sustaining the Centre’s operations and development.
Earlier, the Director of Training, Brigadier General IE Akpaumontia, disclosed that 840 personnel were nominated for the course, comprising 523 from the Nigerian Army, 89 from the Nigerian Navy and 228 from the Nigerian Air Force.
He said 689 participants had so far completed documentation, accommodation and medical screening, while 136 personnel found medically unfit were returned to their units for treatment. Twelve nominated participants are yet to report.
According to him, participants will receive practical and theoretical training in agriculture, information technology, auto mechanics, bakery and confectionery, tailoring, welding and fabrication, refrigeration and air conditioning, leather works, photography, ceramics, fine arts, water production technology, security management and entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
Akpaumontia urged participants to maintain the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and integrity throughout the fully residential programme, adding that attendance at all lectures, practical sessions and other scheduled activities would be mandatory.
He expressed confidence that the course would equip retiring personnel with the competence, confidence and entrepreneurial mindset required to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to national development after leaving military service.