The Support Our Troops (SOT) Foundation has launched its annual empowerment programme to improve the welfare, dignity, and economic resilience of military families across Nigeria. The one-year initiative, unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja, targets widows, orphans, wounded soldiers, deployed personnel, and retired service members.
The programme aims to empower at least 100 beneficiaries nationwide by October 2026, with a projection that 70 percent of participants will achieve sustainable income through vocational training, mentorship, and post-programme support. The initiative is positioned as part of ongoing efforts to boost military family welfare and social development in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Coordinating Officer, Ojinika Mba-Kalu, described the initiative as “a renewed call to national responsibility and a show of gratitude to our armed forces.” She emphasized the foundation’s commitment to extending assistance to a wider range of beneficiaries.
“We are going to extend our support to not just the widows, but also to the deployed troops, the wounded, the orphans, and retired soldiers. That is our priority,” she said.
The empowerment drive will be implemented in phases, starting with a transparent selection process conducted in partnership with key military associations. Training for the first cohort is expected to begin early next year, focusing on vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and business education. Participants will also receive financial support and small business grants to aid their post-training stability.
A second phase of the empowerment programme is scheduled for mid-2026, while final disbursements and post-programme evaluations are expected by September 2026. The foundation stated that the project aims to promote self-reliance, social inclusion, and national unity, especially among families that have borne the burden of military service.
“Our vision is to lift the spirits of Nigerian military personnel and their families. Whether it’s widows of fallen heroes or retired officers, they all matter to us,” Mba-Kalu added.
Director of the Foundation, Tokumbo Oladende, said the SOT Foundation has consistently collaborated with the Ministry of Defence and other agencies to support barracks communities. He noted that the foundation’s work extends beyond empowerment, with past interventions including care packs, school supplies, medical aid, and learning equipment.
“This is more than financial aid. It’s about rebuilding lives and reminding our troops’ families that they’re not forgotten,” Oladende stated.
In a goodwill message, Auwal Musa Ibrahim (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), described the SOT Foundation’s effort as a “transformative and timely intervention.” He called it a significant contribution to honoring and uplifting military families who continue to bear the weight of national service.
Rafsanjani, who was unavoidably absent from the event, commended the foundation for its “deep commitment to ensuring that the sacrifices of service members are matched with sustainable support.”
“This initiative highlights the steadfast dedication of its organizers to uplift our courageous military personnel—especially wounded service members, retired officers, and the widows or next of kin of our fallen heroes,” he said.
He also urged government agencies, civil society groups, and the private sector to support the military community through training, emergency assistance, and livelihood programmes aimed at helping long-term reintegration.
“We must continue to act—through policy, partnership, and programmes—to ensure they are not left behind,” Rafsanjani added.
The SOT Foundation’s empowerment programme is expected to attract national attention as a model for social responsibility and veteran care, reinforcing a growing movement to ensure that no military family is left behind.