In a bid to support the families of Nigeria’s military and paramilitary personnel, the Defend Trust Fund (DTF) has announced plans to raise ₦100 billion through a national empowerment and welfare initiative.
Speaking at a press conference held on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kaduna, the campaign’s lead advocate, Mohammed Thompson, said the movement seeks to gather 100,000 citizen signatures in support of the project over the next four months.
According to Thompson, the campaign—which commenced on October 6, 2025, and will run until January 14, 2026—is designed to provide scholarships, business grants, vocational training, cooperative financing, and psychosocial support for the families of uniformed men and women.
He explained that the initiative would lead to the establishment of the Defence Families Empowerment and Development Fund (DEFDF), an endowment aimed at restoring dignity and hope to the often-forgotten families of fallen officers.
“Every day, men and women of Nigeria’s armed forces and paramilitary services put on their uniforms to defend the nation often at great risk.
Behind each of these brave individuals stands a family, spouses, children, parents, and loved ones who carry silent burdens,” he said.
Thompson described the campaign as “deeply personal,” noting that he grew up in a military barracks where he witnessed the struggles of bereaved families firsthand.
“I have seen too many non-commissioned officers’ families live in abject poverty because of meagre salaries and the absence of structured support.
This campaign is about justice, dignity, and hope for the families behind the uniform,” he added.
He further stated that the Defend Trust Fund would serve as a sustainable national social justice mechanism to institutionalize support for uniformed personnel and their dependents, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s economic inclusion agenda and ongoing reforms to protect vulnerable groups.
“Establishing a sustainable trust fund for military and paramilitary families aligns perfectly with these priorities and provides a structured mechanism to uplift those who have long been underserved,” Thompson emphasized.
The campaign will run in partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), which will help drive nationwide awareness and advocacy. Thompson noted that the DTF draws inspiration from successful international models, including the Armed Forces Covenant Fund in the UK, the Military Families Fund in Canada, and several veteran and service family trust programs in the United States and Australia.
“Nigeria must not be left behind,” he stressed.
In a related development, Engineer Nurudeen Adeyemi, a member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing tertiary education as a driver of growth, innovation, and societal transformation.
He said the fund continues to pursue a change-driven policy agenda anchored on the Renewed Hope Vision, following the inauguration of the board by President Tinubu.
By Miracle Chidinma Amaechi
