Officers of the Armed Forces graduating from an entrepreneurship and management course have been charged to translate their newly acquired knowledge into viable businesses that create jobs and add value to Nigeria’s economy.

They were told that the era of treating entrepreneurship as optional for military personnel approaching retirement was over, because it is a necessity for economic survival in a rapidly changing world.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Jimoh, gave the charge as the Special Guest of Honour at the graduation of the Senior and Mid-Level Officers Entrepreneurship and Management Course 19/2026, organised by the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos.

Organised in collaboration with the Empretec Nigeria Foundation, the training brought together commissioned officers due for retirement or those who will be retiring soon from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Space Administration and NAFRC.

AIG Jimoh said economic realities, technological advancement and global competition demand creativity, adaptability, innovation and sound managerial competence.

According to him, entrepreneurship is no longer an option but a necessity for sustainable economic growth, job creation and national stability.

He urged the officers to make effective use of the knowledge, skills and experiences acquired during the course, describing the training as a foundation for future innovation and enterprise development.

Jimoh charged them to become ambassadors of peace, unity and development in their communities by establishing businesses that empower youths, reduce unemployment and stimulate local economies.

He commended NAFRC and its training partner, Empretec, for sustaining the programme over the years which has produced successful entrepreneurs, administrators, employers of labour, industrialists and community leaders from among retiring and serving military personnel.

Jimoh noted that participants of the current course were exposed to agriculture, food processing, packaging, entrepreneurship development and business management, in addition to local and international study tours that gave them practical insight into modern enterprise operations.

The AIG insisted the exposure was essential to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.

Earlier in his welcome address, NAFRC’s Commandant, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Nnaemeka Ilo, expressed confidence that the participants were now better positioned to excel in enterprise development and would return to their respective services and formations to apply the knowledge gained during the course.

He urged them to be good ambassadors of the centre.

Ilo said NAFRC was hopeful that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies would eventually join the programme to broaden cooperation among Nigeria’s security services.

The Commandant extended appreciation to the Deputy Commandant/Director of Studies, the directors, and the entire instructors and staff of NAFRC for their dedication to duty and commitment to excellence.

He thanked Mrs. Onari Duke and her team of facilitators at Empretec for sharing their expertise throughout the course, expressing hope that the collaboration would continue to grow for the benefit of the Armed Forces and the nation.

In her remarks, Mrs Duke Country Director of Empretec Nigeria Foundation, said the officers entered the programme in uniform and left as “architects of enterprise.”

She disclosed that the cohort was the first to visit the operational farm of agribusiness firm Cormat along the Ibadan Expressway and received direct mentorship from a retired AVM identified as the owner of Profound Farm.

Duke charged the graduates to build enterprises with the same integrity and discipline that defined their military service, and to remain open to mentorship as they transition into business, adding that support would continue beyond the training.