Refire Summit 2026: Experts Urge Workers to Prepare for Life After Retirement
By Douglas Ahiaba – Abuja
ABUJA — The need for adequate retirement preparation through the acquisition of relevant skills, knowledge and entrepreneurial expertise by workers in both the public and private sectors took centre stage on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at a summit held at the Nigeria National Merit Award House, Maitama, Abuja.
The summit, tagged Refire Summit 2026 and themed “Retire to Refire: Convergence for the Encore Generation,” was organised by the BAASAF Community Development Initiative (BCDI) in collaboration with the Mariam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.
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Speaking exclusively to journalists after the summit, the Founder of the Retire to Refire Initiative, Dr. Mrs Foluke Oni, said the event was designed, among other objectives, to allay the fears and anxieties often experienced by workers approaching retirement due to uncertainties surrounding the transition.
Oni explained that the summit was also intended to provide useful information, practical knowledge and guidance to individuals preparing for retirement, particularly those interested in venturing into business.
She stressed that while engaging in business after retirement could be beneficial, prospective entrepreneurs needed to understand the intricacies of their chosen ventures to avoid costly mistakes and financial losses.
According to her, addressing these challenges was one of the key objectives of the summit.
Also speaking with journalists, a retired civil servant with the Nigerian Educational Research Council, Pastor (Builder) Charles Kolawole Asiwaju, commended the convener and initiator of the Retire to Refire Initiative for the programme’s impact on participants’ perceptions of retirement.
Asiwaju said the initiative had helped build confidence among participants and equipped them with a more positive outlook on the uncertainties associated with life after active service.
He described the summit as timely, appropriate and encouraging, noting that it had provided valuable insights into preparing for the next phase of life after retirement.
Similarly, Killian Emelumba, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert, described the summit as highly enriching, noting that discussions focused on how retirees and those approaching retirement could continue to contribute meaningfully to their personal development and the wider society.
Emelumba identified inadequate retirement planning as one of the major challenges confronting some retirees, particularly former civil servants.
He observed that the absence of proper preparation often leaves individuals overwhelmed by fear and anxiety when retirement eventually becomes a reality.
However, he expressed optimism that initiatives such as the Refire Summit could provide hope, direction and practical guidance for retirees and workers preparing to leave active service.
The Refire Summit 2026 also featured paper presentations on various topics delivered by resource persons. In addition, books containing information and guidance on navigating the transition into retirement were displayed for interested participants.
The summit provided a platform for knowledge-sharing, experience exchange and discussions on strategies for achieving financial stability, personal fulfilment and continued relevance after retirement.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 11th, 2026
