The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of retiring officers, unveiling a new initiative to help them transition smoothly to civilian life.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja at the closing ceremony of a two-day Pre-Retirement Transition Readiness Workshop organised for senior officers.
Director of Support Services at the DHQ, Maj.-Gen. Olatokumbo Bello, said the workshop was designed to equip officers nearing retirement with practical skills, psychological readiness, and legal awareness for life after service.
“The essence of this programme, as the name implies, is to assist officers who will soon retire from the Nigerian Armed Forces,” he said. “The Defence Headquarters prioritises life after service, especially for those who have served 20 to 30 years. It is important to prepare them with skills, advice, and psychological readiness that will follow them into retirement.”
Maj.-Gen. Bello noted that the workshop was interactive, allowing officers to share experiences and provide feedback that would strengthen future programmes.
Justice Godwin Iheabunike of the FCT High Court, who delivered a lecture on Legal Affairs, Will Writing, and Retirement Rights, urged participants to take legal preparedness seriously.
“Legal preparedness means ensuring that one’s affairs—including wills, powers of attorney, and pension documents—are in proper order before or upon retirement,” he said.
He outlined four goals of legal readiness: preservation of wealth, avoidance of litigation, dignity in retirement, and intergenerational equity.
Justice Iheabunike also encouraged participants to prepare “living wills” to guide family decisions in the event of incapacitation.
The Project Coordinator of the Transition Assistance Programme, Ms. Ijeoma Akwara, said the initiative was modelled on the United Kingdom’s system and would promote transparency and sustainability.
“The Defence Headquarters took it a step further by approving a pilot group to validate the policy framework,” she said. “Feedback from this pilot will inform a more elaborate rollout scheduled for January.”
She added that the aim was to ensure that disciplined and dedicated officers are adequately supported after decades of service to the nation.
