By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and development of its personnel beyond active service with the commencement of the second cohort of the Senior Executive Career Transition Programme (SECTP).
Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations disclosed this in a statement signed on Monday.
The five-day programme, organised by the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), commenced on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Zuma Rock Resort, Suleja, Niger State.
It is designed to equip senior officers with the knowledge, skills and confidence required for a seamless transition into productive post-service careers.
Declaring the programme open, the Special Guest of Honour and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd.), urged participants to see retirement not as the end of their professional journey but as the beginning of a new chapter of service and opportunity.
Yahaya encouraged the officers to approach retirement with confidence, strategic planning and optimism, noting that the leadership, discipline, integrity and strategic expertise acquired during military service remained valuable assets that could continue to contribute to national development.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said the programme was conceived about five months ago following consultations on the need to institutionalise a structured transition framework for senior officers.
Represented by the Chief of Logistics (Army), Maj.-Gen. A.A. Adeyinka, the COAS described the initiative as a landmark welfare intervention aligned with global best practices in executive career transition and personnel development.
He stressed that the Army’s responsibility to its personnel extends beyond active service, adding that officers should retire not only with their statutory benefits but also with the knowledge, resilience and confidence needed to thrive in civilian life.
According to him, lessons from the inaugural cohort highlighted the importance of mentorship, financial planning, professional guidance and peer learning in helping officers navigate the social, economic and psychological realities of retirement.
Earlier, the Director-General, NAHFC, Maj.-Gen. Tariweriye Gagariga, said Army officers dedicate the most productive years of their lives to defending the nation through rigorous training and demanding operational engagements.
He explained that retirement could bringsignificant changes in identity, income and social engagement if not properly planned, adding that the SECTP was established to provide a structured and sustainable pathway for successful career transition.
Gagariga said the initiative was also in line with the COAS Command Philosophy, which places personnel welfare, morale and professional development at the centre of military administration.
The second cohort comprises 31 participants, including 26 serving senior officers and five recently retired officers.
Through the programme, the Nigerian Army seeks to preserve institutional knowledge and ensure that the leadership experience, professional competence and strategic insight acquired by its personnel continue to contribute to Nigeria’s security and socio-economic development after active service.
