A non-governmental organization, the Defend Trust Fund Campaign, has launched an initiative to raise ₦100 billion to support the families of Nigerian military and paramilitary personnel. The campaign, known as the “Defend Trust Fund,” aims to provide a national empowerment and welfare initiative for these families.
According to Mohammed Thompson, the lead advocate for the campaign, the fund will provide a variety of support, including:
- Scholarships
- Entrepreneurship grants
- Vocational training
- Cooperative financing
- Psychosocial support
The campaign, which will run from October 6, 2025, to January 14, 2026, also seeks to collect 100,000 citizens’ signatures to advocate for the establishment of a “Defence Families Empowerment and Development Trust Fund.”
Thompson, who grew up in a military barracks, stated that the initiative is deeply personal and was born out of concern for the socioeconomic neglect faced by service families, who often suffer financial distress and emotional trauma after losing loved ones in the line of duty.
The Defend Trust Fund Campaign is partnering with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to raise national awareness and advocate for the project, which draws inspiration from similar funds in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States.
