Nonye Ayeni
The idea behind SOAR is compelling. “A worker’s last day in government should not mark the end of ambition or contribution,” the document notes. With the right preparation, retirement can become the starting point for building businesses, creating jobs and connecting Nigerian products to markets around the world.
For decades, retirement in Nigeria has carried an undertone of anxiety. Many civil servants step out of long careers only to confront financial instability, poor investment decisions or outright fraud. Instead of a reward for years of service, retirement often becomes a struggle for survival. Under the leadership of Nonye Ayeni, however, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is challenging this old narrative and offering a new, ambitious vision — one in which retirement becomes a launchpad for enterprise, not a descent into uncertainty.
That vision is embodied in the Sustainable Opportunities for Active Retirement (SOAR) Initiative, a programme designed for civil servants within three years of retirement. It equips them with practical skills to participate in Nigeria’s expanding non‑oil export sector. As Ayeni told participants, “Retirement should not be viewed as the end of productive engagement… it should be seen as the beginning of a new chapter where years of experience, discipline and leadership can be channelled into building sustainable enterprises.” Her message is clear: retirement is not an exit from productivity but an entry into opportunity.
