BY JULIET EKWENUGO, Kaduna
The Beyond Barracks Project has changed its name to the Defence Families Empowerment Foundation, expanding its identity to cover veterans, military personnel, spouses, children and other members of the defence community across Nigeria.
The Foundation’s Founding Director, Mohammed Thompson, announced the change in a press release issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Thompson said the decision was informed by the organisation’s growth and the need for a name that better reflects the people it serves.
He, however, clarified that the change was limited to the name, adding that the Foundation’s vision, mission, programmes and commitment to beneficiaries remained unchanged.
He said the organisation remained committed to improving the lives of defence families and communities through education, entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development.
Its programmes include the Defence Families’ Enterprise Development Programme, Defence Families Digital Skills Initiative, Defence Families’ Innovation Challenge and Digital Visibility and Artificial Intelligence Empowerment Programme.
Others are the Defence Families’ Scholars Programme, which provides support for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration, tutorials and mentorship, and the Defence Discount App, which offers discounts and other benefits to military and paramilitary personnel and their families.
The Foundation urged its partners, supporters, beneficiaries and members of the public to adopt the new name in official references, assuring them that existing relationships and commitments would continue without disruption.
It also thanked those who had supported the Beyond Barracks Project and called on new partners to collaborate with it in advancing the welfare, education and economic empowerment of defence families across Nigeria.
