The Nigerian Military is tapping retired service members to combat a surge in violent conflicts, training them in mediation and peacebuilding to ease the strain on active forces.
Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede launched the programme on Monday at the kickoff of a specialized workshop in Abuja, organized by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Mediation Training Institute, and the Defence Headquarters.
The effort equips ex-servicemen with skills in negotiation and dispute resolution, marking a pivot to “non-kinetic” strategies.
“Reliance on military force alone is insufficient to secure lasting peace,” General Oluyede said.
Veterans bring “operational experience, discipline, and public credibility” to community-level interventions, he added, enhancing early warning systems and intelligence flows without supplanting ongoing operations.
The move reflects broader efforts to tackle conflict roots—local tensions and disputes—through dialogue and prevention, lightening the load on troops and promoting reconciliation.
Isaac Oguntuyi, president of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans Association, called it “an extension of national service” and pressed trainees to spread the expertise nationwide.
Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, national coordinator of REMENAF, praised veterans’ potential in intelligence gathering and community engagement, drawing on their field know-how.
Proponents say the training will amplify grassroots mediation, bosting the country’s drive for sustainable peace.
