The Nigerian Armed Forces have launched a new initiative to train retired military personnel in mediation and conflict resolution as part of efforts to address the country’s rising violent conflicts through non-kinetic approaches.
A special training programme for veterans was flagged off in Abuja, organised by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF) in partnership with the Mediation Training Institute and the Defence Headquarters.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, endorsed the programme, emphasising that sustainable security requires both kinetic (military operations) and non-kinetic responses.
He noted that veterans bring valuable experience, discipline, and community credibility to help resolve local disputes and prevent escalation into violence.
“Veterans understand the cost of conflict and are uniquely positioned to promote dialogue, restraint, and reconciliation at the grassroots level,” Gen. Oluyede said.
Officials highlighted that many security challenges in Nigeria originate from community tensions and local disputes that can quickly spiral.
By equipping veterans with modern mediation skills, the military aims to strengthen early intervention, improve community intelligence, and ease the burden on serving troops.Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, National Coordinator of REMENAF, said the programme leverages veterans’ operational background for effective community engagement.
Participants were urged to cascade the skills to other retired personnel across the country.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to tackle root causes of insecurity, including banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and communal violence, by combining military operations with peacebuilding efforts.
This comes amid ongoing security challenges across several regions, with organisers planning wider rollout of the mediation training nationwide.
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