The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, on Friday, 14 November 2025, graduated 41 senior and mid-level officers from its Senior and Middle-Level Entrepreneurship and Management Course 16/2025, marking yet another milestone in the Armed Forces’ drive to equip personnel with skills for productive post-service life.
The Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Mamman (GSS, PSC, FDC, MNIM), led the ceremony and charged the graduands to embrace innovation, leadership and enterprise as they transition to the next phase of their careers.
In his address, AVM Mamman commended the participants for their diligence throughout the 4–5 week intensive programme, describing the course as a practical pathway to a successful and fulfilling life after military service.
“It is my honour to welcome you to this graduation ceremony for participants of the Senior and Middle-Level Officers’ Entrepreneurship and Management Course 16/2025,” he said. “Today, we celebrate officers who have acquired vital knowledge in entrepreneurship and management key tools for a seamless transition to civilian life.”
He noted that the course offers hands-on training designed to help participants establish and manage businesses during and after service. The curriculum, recently reviewed and enriched, exposed officers to best practices in agriculture, business planning, leadership, emotional intelligence, and contemporary management techniques.
Their study visit to Songhai Farms in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, he added, reinforced the course’s emphasis on agricultural entrepreneurship.
“As entrepreneurs and managers, you are catalysts of growth, innovation, and national development,” he said. “The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”
AVM Mamman also praised the facilitators including EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation and highlighted NAFRC’s partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which now enables participants to register businesses seamlessly as part of the programme.
He urged the graduands to lead with purpose, innovate boldly, build strong teams, and prioritise productivity.
“Remember that the only true source of wealth is the customer,” he said. “Drive change, achieve greatness, and make a lasting impact.”
The Commandant expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, OFR, and the Service Chiefs for their support to NAFRC.
He then formally conferred the awards: “By the powers conferred on me as the Commandant, I hereby confer on you the award as graduands of Senior and Middle-Level Entrepreneurship and Management Course 16/2025.”
Special Guest of Honour, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Onari Duke, congratulated the officers and praised NAFRC for sustaining a globally relevant standard of training.
“Today we mark not only the conclusion of a programme, but the beginning of a new chapter,” she said. “You are now part of a global community of Empretec entrepreneurs, equipped with the expertise to drive innovation, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Dr. Duke highlighted the practical exposure offered to participants through study tours, including: Nigeria Conservation Centre, Lekki (30 October) where participants learned about biodiversity, sustainability and eco-tourism. Commint Buka, Surulere (6 November) a model of innovative local business operations and entrepreneurship. Songhai Farm, Porto-Novo (9–11 November) an international excursion that showcased integrated farming, zero-waste agriculture, and smart agricultural techniques.
She commended the Commandant, Deputy Commandant, Director of Training, and all NAFRC instructors for their commitment to producing well-grounded future entrepreneurs.
“To our graduates, lead with purpose, innovate with passion, and excel with integrity,” she concluded.
Earlier in his speech, the Director of Training, Brigadier General I.O. Olatunji, presented a comprehensive overview of the programme’s structure and impact.
He noted that 36 officers were nominated from Defence Headquarters, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), while NAFRC sponsored an additional 5 officers bringing the total to 41 participants for Course 16/2025.
Despite vacancies shared with paramilitary agencies and MDAs, none participated except DIA. General Olatunji outlined the modules delivered during the 4–5 week course, including: Agricultural Systems and Smart Farming; Emotional Intelligence and Leadership; Business Management and Legal Advisory; Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Management; Entrepreneurship and Technical Skills.
A key highlight was the Entrepreneur Technical Workshop (ETW), where participants developed and presented business models within five days, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and practical understanding of entrepreneurship.
He confirmed that the set objectives of the programme were fully achieved, and that all 41 participants fulfilled requirements for the joint NAFRC–Empretec certificate.
Study tours both local and foreign were crucial components, with Course 16 becoming the first set to explore both Porto-Novo and wider Cotonou on their international visit.
Brig. Gen. Olatunji commended the officers for their maturity, cooperation and discipline throughout the programme.
The Entrepreneurship and Management Course, now conducted quarterly following approval by the Chief of Defence Staff, continues to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s military transition framework.
With Course 16/2025 successfully completed, NAFRC reaffirms its position as the premier centre for preparing military personnel for prosperous and dignified retirement.