Nigeria, July 31 -- 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 eq...