The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to strengthening its strategic partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Lagos, as part of sustained efforts to enhance troops’ welfare and prepare personnel for productive life after military service.
The COAS gave the assurance on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, during a high-level engagement with the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ilo, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele noted in a press statement that the COAS underscored the need to eliminate operational bottlenecks that hinder effective skills acquisition and post-service transition, stressing that welfare support must extend beyond active service to ensure long-term stability and productivity for personnel.
He congratulated Air Vice Marshal Ilo on his appointment and highlighted the strategic role of NAFRC in equipping personnel with vocational, technical, and professional competencies essential for economic self-reliance after retirement.
The COAS commended the Centre’s diverse skills acquisition programmes, describing them as critical enablers of a smooth and dignified transition from military to civilian life. He also acknowledged the leadership demands involved in managing the welfare and development of a large population of Nigerian Army personnel undergoing training at the Centre.
Reiterating the Army’s commitment to institutional capacity-building and sustained welfare reforms, the COAS emphasised the importance of structured post-training placement mechanisms.
He noted that many trained personnel possess valuable skills that can be effectively deployed in civilian organisations and the private sector, urging NAFRC to deepen partnerships, strengthen data management systems, and adopt human-resource-driven placement strategies to support seamless reintegration and long-term employability.
In his remarks, Air Vice Marshal Ilo expressed deep appreciation for the enduring synergy between the Nigerian Army and NAFRC, particularly the COAS’s personal commitment to the Centre’s mandate.
He disclosed that a significant number of Nigerian Army personnel are currently enrolled in various NAFRC training programmes, positioning the Centre as a critical engine for professional development and post-service empowerment.
The Commandant assured the COAS of the Centre’s continued loyalty and pledged to faithfully implement all directives aimed at enhancing personnel welfare and resettlement outcomes.
“The Nigerian Army remains unwavering in its resolve to ensure that the welfare of its personnel is comprehensively addressed, not only during active service but also through structured and sustainable post-service empowerment programmes. Our partnership with NAFRC is central to this vision, as it equips our personnel with practical skills and viable pathways for dignified reintegration into civilian life,” the COAS stated.
