542 Senior Military Officers Retire After Decades of Service

Lagos, Nigeria – A total of 542 senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) officially retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces on Thursday after completing 35 years of dedicated service to the nation. The poignant retirement ceremony, marking a significant transition for these servicemen, was held at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi, Lagos.

The retiring personnel included 362 soldiers from the Nigerian Army, 134 from the Nigerian Navy, and 46 from the Nigerian Air Force, highlighting the multi-service nature of the graduating cohort. These officers underwent a six-month pre-retirement training program at NAFRC, designed to equip them with essential skills for civilian life.

Tributes to Dedication and Patriotism
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, lauded the retirees for their immense contributions. Represented by Major General Aligbe Obhiozele of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Lieutenant General Oluyede emphasized the retirees’ “courage, discipline, and selfless service.”

“Your 35-year journey embodies the finest military traditions of resilience and patriotism,” Obhiozele stated, urging the transitioning officers to carry these values into their new chapter and become “pillars in their communities.” He also cautioned them against financial mismanagement and neglecting their health, reminding them that society expects them to uphold the discipline instilled during their service.

NAFRC’s Role in Resettlement and Future Prospects
Air Vice Marshal Bashir Mamman, Commandant of NAFRC, highlighted the centre’s enduring legacy, noting that it has successfully trained over 53,000 personnel since its inception. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s significant interventions, including the approval of larger starter packs for retirees, the digitization of records, e-learning upgrades, and the provision of new workshop equipment. These improvements, Mamman stressed, have “significantly enhanced our capacity to prepare servicemen for civilian life.”

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The retirees, who received training in various vocational skills, were presented with their discharge certificates amidst cheers from their families. Many described the moment as both emotional and hopeful, looking forward to applying their newly acquired skills.

Sergeant Musa Bello, one of the retirees, shared his optimism, stating, “The training has prepared me well for civil life. I was trained in farming. I hope to invest my gratuity in it. I am proud of my service years.”

The ceremony concluded with the traditional lowering of flags, a symbolic act signifying their formal departure from military service and their transition to civilian life, where they are expected to continue contributing to national development.