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PalmPay launches #LoveWithPalmPay Valentine campaign (₦800,000 rewards)

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PalmPay launches #LoveWithPalmPay Valentine campaign (₦800,000 rewards)

PalmPay has launched the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign to mark Valentine’s Day, focusing on how simple, shared money moments can bring people closer. The campaign highlights everyday actions such as sending timely support, saving together, and managing shared responsibilities, rather than grand gestures.

According to PalmPay, Valentine’s Day is built on small, meaningful actions that shape relationships over time. The company said these moments show care, trust, and consistency, especially when partners rely on each other through daily financial decisions.

The campaign runs from February 9th to 21st across Facebook, Instagram, X formerly Twitter, and TikTok. PalmPay is encouraging users to share 30 to 60 second real life stories that show how the app has helped them support or stay connected with someone they love.

Entries can be submitted as couple videos, solo stories, split screen duets for long distance relationships, or voiceover narratives using photos or short clips. PalmPay said the format is open to married couples, parents, and long term partners, making the campaign inclusive.

Participants are required to share an authentic love story about their partner, clearly show PalmPay in action through transfers, savings, or other in app activities, and post between February 9th and 21st using the hashtag #LoveWithPalmPay on any PalmPay social media platform.

Four winners will receive ₦100,000 each week for two weeks, bringing the total prize pool to ₦800,000.

“Love evolves, and so do relationships,” said Olorunfemi Hanson, Head of Marketing and Communication, PalmPay. “From dating to parenthood, the small money moments we share every day play a big role in keeping us connected. With #LoveWithPalmPay, we want to celebrate those stories and show how PalmPay always works, making everyday love simpler, reliable, and meaningful.”

PalmPay described the campaign as a celebration of real and intentional love, built around shared moments and dependable financial support during this Valentine’s Day season.

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Youth Climate Justice Fund opens 2026 global grants for climate groups

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Youth Climate Justice Fund opens 2026 global grants for climate groups

The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) has announced that its 2026 application round is now open, offering funding to emerging youth-led climate justice and socio-environmental groups worldwide. The fund provides support through a participatory decision-making process that allows young people to shape solutions this year.

Eligible groups working at local or national levels are invited to apply for financial support. Local groups can apply for grants of up to USD 20,000, while national-level groups may request funding of up to USD 40,000. The fund is supported by individuals and philanthropies rather than private or listed companies, a structure it said helps maintain independence.

The Youth Climate Justice Fund criteria for interested applicants includes that groups or collectives must be led by young people aged 35 years and below. In order to be eligible for a YCJF grant, the majority of your leadership must be young people or the individuals with decision making power should be aged 35 years and below. Eligible groups must be based in East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia, or North America.

Applicants from high-income countries should belong to underrepresented communities to be considered for funding. Groups focusing solely on international engagements without community-based work are ineligible to apply. Applicants are expected to believe in and demonstrate inclusive organizing, collective action, and intersectional movement building.

In addition, groups based in North America or Western Europe may apply if they are led by young people who are discriminated against or marginalized based on class, gender, ethnicity, background, or similar factors.

The Youth Climate Justice Fund said is looking for groups that are cultivating diverse leadership rooted in fair and equitable climate action with community power, raising ambitions and commitments on climate and socio-environmental justice, and holding policymakers accountable to their promises and strengthening community power.

The call for applications will remain open for four weeks. Youth-led climate and environmental justice groups the globe can apply.

Submission is available in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili. The application portal will remain open until March 1st, 2026.

To apply interested applicants should submit applications via https://youthclimatejusticefund.submittable.com/submit.

OES Grant Applicants: Physical Training Schedule for Batch A Released

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OES Grant Applicants: Physical Training Schedule for Batch A Released

The Screening Committee has released the schedule for physical training for applicants on the OES Grant Applicants for Further Screening list. According to the notice, Batch A, with names listed on pages one to three, will attend the exercise on Tuesday, 10th February 2026, in Port Harcourt as announced officially.

The Committee stated that the training will hold from 9:30am to 12 noon at Giolee Global Resources Limited Corporate Headquarters, Eneka. Applicants are required to come with a valid ID, their Local Government Identification Letter, and be dressed in their OES T-shirt.

A note added, “If you didn’t get the T-shirt at the OES 2025, still come, as confirmation is through the Attendance Register.” It also said those approved for OES 2025 virtual attendance may attend without the T-shirt, and enquiries can be made via call or WhatsApp on +2347063836678.

Ogoni launches ₦200m revolving fund for entrepreneurs in 2026

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Ogoni launches ₦200m revolving fund for entrepreneurs in 2026

The Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit (OES) today proudly unveils the ₦200 Million Ogoni Revolving Fund Scheme for 2026, a landmark economic empowerment initiative funded by Chief Lesi Maol, OES Convener and a distinguished son of Ogoni. Emerging from the Annual Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit held in December 2025, the initiative reflects a renewed commitment to building a vibrant, self-reliant, and economically empowered Ogoni society.

The Ogoni Revolving Fund Scheme is designed to unlock entrepreneurial potential by supporting entrepreneurs, existing businesses, and micro-enterprises/trading across Ogoniland. Its objective is to stimulate sustainable economic growth, create jobs, and enable dignified livelihoods through enterprise. Structured as a revolving fund, repayments from beneficiaries will create opportunities for others, ensuring continuity and shared prosperity across generations.

Beyond financial support, the scheme offers structured guidance to strengthen local production, encourage innovation, and build resilient businesses. It is anchored on transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and merit-based selection, with clear eligibility criteria, monitoring mechanisms, and repayment frameworks to ensure lasting impact. The initiative reflects Chief Lesi Maol’s belief that sustainable development is driven by deliberate investment in people, skills, and productive capacity.

The press conference also formally announces the establishment of the OES Grant Selection Committee to ensure a credible and transparent selection process. The Committee is chaired by Sir (Dr.) Leesi Gabriel Gborogbosi, with Engr. Tudor Miikor as Secretary, Dr. Elvis Lebura Ikoma as Finance Lead, and Mr. Ndume Green as Media Lead. The Committee oversees application review, screening, due diligence, training, and the overall integrity of the OES Grant Programme.

The OES Grant Programme targets entrepreneurs, existing businesses, and micro-enterprises/trading, assessed strictly on merit to ensure a level playing field and support initiatives capable of generating sustainable economic and social value across Ogoniland.

Following the closure of the application portal on 9th January 2026, over 500 applications were assessed, with 111 applicants shortlisted to advance to a mandatory training programme scheduled for Saturday, 14th February 2026. Applicants not shortlisted in the first phase have been invited for further physical screening from Tuesday, 10th February to Thursday, 12th February 2026, at Giolee Global Resources Corporate Headquarters, near the Army Range/C4i Checkpoint, Eneka, Port Harcourt. Applicants are advised to check the OES website on Monday, 9th February 2026, for their status and screening details.

All shortlisted applicants are required to attend the training with their OES T-shirts and Local Government Identification Certificates as part of due diligence and accountability measures.

The OES Grant Selection Committee expresses sincere appreciation to all applicants and stakeholders for their patience and trust. This initiative represents more than funding, it embodies a collective resolve to move Ogoni from potential to productivity, from aspiration to achievement, and from promise to shared prosperity.

Together, through integrity, collaboration, and enterprise, Ogoni is charting a new path toward sustainable economic growth and development. God bless Ogoni. God bless Rivers State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria as stakeholders align efforts to support inclusive enterprise development statewide collectively

Climate-Smart initiative to train 4,000 Kano farmers in dairy production

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Climate-Smart initiative to train 4,000 Kano farmers in dairy production

A consortium in the agribusiness industry has unveiled a climate-smart agriculture initiative aimed at equipping no fewer than 4,000 farmers and livestock keepers to boost food security and promote sustainable dairy production in Kano State.

The consortium is led by L&Z Integrated Farms in partnership with the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) and the German development agency, GIZ. The partners said capacity building remains a critical catalyst for sustaining dairy production in Nigeria.

Founder and Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, Muhammadu Damakka Abubakar, disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of a training programme under the Green Harvest Initiative, an intervention designed to promote sustainable farming practices, improve livestock productivity and reduce herder migration.

Abubakar said the initiative goes beyond classroom instruction and includes the establishment of climate-smart demonstration farms where beneficiaries will receive hands-on training in fodder cultivation and livestock feeding.

“The training is just one component of the project. We also have enhanced climate-smart demonstration farms where beneficiaries will be taught how to cultivate drought-resistant fodder in their backyards and communities for feeding their animals and for commercial purposes,” he said.

He explained that poor access to feed, water and basic social amenities accounts for about 90 per cent of the challenges confronting Nigeria’s local dairy industry, adding that the project seeks to address these gaps through sustainable solutions.

According to him, participants will be trained in climate-friendly fodder production, compost management, use of biodigesters and reduced reliance on inorganic fertilisers to minimise environmental degradation and carbon emissions.

Abubakar said the initiative will also focus on cooperative business management to encourage herders and smallholder farmers to adopt agribusiness models rather than rely solely on traditional livestock rearing practices.

“When animals have good feed, productivity increases, health challenges reduce and farmers can generate more milk and beef. With a business mindset, this translates into economic empowerment and sustainability,” he added.

He disclosed that the project will begin with a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programme, under which selected participants will subsequently train others at the grassroots level.

“We are starting with 400 trainers, who will each train other farmers. Through this cascading model, we expect to reach about 4,000 farmers in the medium term,” he said.

Abubakar noted that the project, which commenced in 2025, is scheduled to run until December 2026, with impact projections extending into the first half of 2027. The initiative targets dairy and livestock.

FG Flags Off Food, Nutrition Support for 20,000 Households in Sokoto

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FG Flags Off Food, Nutrition Support for 20,000 Households in Sokoto

The Federal Government on Monday flagged off the distribution of food and nutrition support to 20,000 vulnerable households in Sokoto State as part of efforts to tackle hunger, malnutrition and poverty across northern Nigeria.

The intervention was launched in Sokoto by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and is being implemented in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government and development partners.

Speaking at the event, Sununu commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his commitment to humanitarian causes, describing his decision to attend the ceremony despite family engagements abroad as “a clear demonstration of responsible and compassionate leadership.”

He said the programme prioritises women, children, the elderly and persons living with disabilities, stressing that it goes beyond food distribution to include nutrition support and sustainability measures.

“This intervention is about protecting dignity, improving nutrition and building resilience among the most vulnerable,” the minister said.

According to him, food items to be distributed include rice, beans, millet, groundnuts, palm oil, salt, seasoning and tomatoes.

He added that nutrition supplies and essential medicines would also be delivered to malnutrition treatment centres at Gwadabawa and Bodinga General Hospitals.

Sununu warned that more than 35 million Nigerians are currently at risk of extreme hunger, underscoring the urgency of community-based and resilient humanitarian responses.

“Beyond emergency relief, we are integrating skills acquisition, livelihood support and community-driven programmes to enable beneficiaries to become self-reliant,” he said.

The minister acknowledged the support of international partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP), while reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to localise and institutionalise humanitarian interventions.

In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Aliyu thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for selecting Sokoto as the flag-off point, describing the choice as a reflection of the administration’s people-centred approach.

“This initiative will significantly ease hardship, especially as the Ramadan fast approaches. It shows the Federal Government’s compassion and responsiveness to the needs of the vulnerable,” the governor said.

Aliyu highlighted ongoing state interventions, including food and cash support for victims of banditry, widows, orphans and internally displaced persons, as well as housing construction for displaced communities in partnership with the UNDP.

He assured that the distribution would be transparent and inclusive, urging officials involved to act with integrity and ensure the items reach the intended beneficiaries.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the District Head of Wurno commended both the federal and state governments for adopting an inclusive approach to social protection.

“These programmes show genuine commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable members of our society,” he said.

The Sokoto intervention forms part of a broader Federal Government strategy to address food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty across northern Nigeria, with the state serving as a key implementation hub nationwide efforts.

FG, Ericsson to Launch Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon

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FG, Ericsson to Launch Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), is set to launch the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon in Nigeria, targeted at upskilling Nigerian youths in modern technologies.

The four-month programme, overseen by the Office of the Vice President, will be launched on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The hackathon is a key operational phase of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigerian government and Ericsson and is designed to digitally upskill young Nigerians in technologies transforming industries and daily life.

Disclosing this in Abuja on Tuesday, the Office of the Vice President said the programme will help participants turn innovative ideas into practical solutions, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the digital economy, technology integration, and education.

The office stated that the programme combines hands-on mentoring, an eight-week acceleration phase, and practical learning across priority technologies, including 5G, IoT, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technologies.

It noted that participants will also develop solutions in digital inclusion, smart cities, agritech, and sustainability, adding that outstanding teams will gain access to accelerators and further incubation opportunities.

To support Nigeria’s digital transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Office of the Vice President also announced that an Ericsson Educate programme focusing on policymakers in ICT will be launched as part of the rollout.

The office stressed that the hackathon is open to innovators across Nigeria, including university students, startups, and emerging young talent.

Shedding more light on the initiative, Head of Ericsson, West and Southern Africa, Majda Lahlou Kassi, said, “At Ericsson, we are proud to partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria to support the country’s digital transformation journey.

“Through initiatives focused on skills development, alongside our Ericsson Educate programme for policymakers and regulators, we aim to contribute to a stronger digital ecosystem. By bringing together talent development and informed policy dialogue, we support efforts to address connectivity gaps and enable inclusive, sustainable growth.”

Eligible participants are invited to apply via the official registration platform at www.ericssonhackathon.techrevolutionafrica.org, with registrations open from February 11, 2026 to March 10, 2026 nationwide.

Audit firms to register ahead of National Audit Register launch – FRC

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Audit firms to register ahead of National Audit Register launch – FRC

The (FRC), the statutory regulator responsible for maintaining independent public oversight over Accounting, Auditing, Actuarial Practice, Valuation, Sustainability Reporting, and Corporate Governance Standards in Nigeria, has issued a notice to all stakeholders in the financial reporting ecosystem, particularly audit firms and other assurance service providing firms operating in Nigeria.

According to the notice, “all firms providing audit or other assurance services in Nigeria are mandatorily required to register and or update their regulatory profile with the FRC through the official registration portal.” The Council said the directive applies to all statutory audit firms as well as all other Assurance Service Providing Firms (AASPFs).

The FRC explained that AASPFs include firms whose work involves assurance, attestation, verification, certification, or the issuance of independent opinions relied upon for financial reporting, including sustainability reporting, valuation, governance, regulatory, or other public interest purposes.

The regulator further announced plans to publish the National Audit and Assurance Firms Register on its website with effect from 1 April 2026. It stated that the Register would be updated from time to time and would serve as the official list of firms legally permitted to operate in Nigeria’s audit and assurance space.

The notice warned that any firm that fails to register or update its status on or before 31 March 2026 “shall not appear on the Register.” It added that only firms listed on the Register are legally permitted to undertake, accept, or continue any audit or assurance engagement in Nigeria.

According to the FRC, “any engagement carried out by an unregistered firm constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and shall attract sanctions under the FRC Act and the Audit Regulations 2020.”

The Council also issued an important compliance notice to reporting entities, CFOs, audit committees, and accounting officers. It stated that with effect from 1 April 2026, “it shall be unlawful for any Public Interest Entity, government institution, regulated entity, or private organisation to engage an audit or assurance service provider that is not listed on the National Audit and Assurance Firms Register.”

The notice added that all reporting entities are required to verify the registration status of both the audit firm and the signing audit professional before appointment and during the engagement. It warned that any audit or assurance engagement conducted by an unregistered firm would be considered invalid and would attract regulatory sanctions under applicable Nigerian laws and regulations therein.

Separately, the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee said applications are ongoing for Module 2 of its Train-The-Trainer Programme following the completion of Module 1, which recorded over 11,000 registered professionals.

OES moves ₦200m grant to physical screening and training phase

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OES moves ₦200m grant to physical screening and training phase

The Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit (OES) has announced the next phase of its ₦200 Million Grant Scheme, confirming that shortlisted applicants will proceed to physical screening and mandatory training after the completion of the initial review stage. The update was issued following the closure of the application portal on 9 January 2026.

According to OES, more than 500 applications were received during the open call period. All entries were assessed using a structured scoring rubric based on responses submitted in the multiple-choice section of the application form, measured against an established cut-off benchmark. At the end of the evaluation, 111 applicants met the required score and were shortlisted to advance to the next phase of the process.

The OES Screening Committee disclosed that the next stage will begin with a compulsory training session scheduled for Saturday, 14 February 2026, by 10:00 AM. The venue for the training will be communicated to shortlisted applicants on or before Wednesday, 11 February 2026. The list of successful candidates is contained in a document titled “OES Grant Stage One Shortlisted Applicants.”

The committee stressed that being shortlisted at this stage does not automatically guarantee progression to subsequent phases of the grant. “All shortlisted candidates will undergo further verification at the training venue to confirm proof of Ogoni origin and attendance at the OES Summit 2025,” the committee stated.

Shortlisted applicants are required to attend the training wearing their OES T-shirt and present a valid ID card, such as a Voters Card, Drivers License, or International Passport, alongside a Local Government Identification Letter. OES clarified that applicants who attended the summit but did not receive an OES T-shirt may still participate, as verification will be conducted using the official summit attendance register. The same arrangement applies to approved virtual attendees.

OES also provided an update on applicants who were not included in the initial shortlist. A total of 439 applicants have been placed on a separate list titled “OES Grant Applicants for Further Screening” and are invited to undergo physical screening for a chance to join the shortlisted pool.

The physical screening for this group is scheduled to run from Tuesday, 10 February, to Thursday, 12 February 2026. Applicants are advised to check OES social media platforms for their specific screening date and time. They are expected to attend with their OES T-shirt, valid ID card, and Local Government Identification Letter, with the same verification flexibility extended to those without T-shirts.

The screening venue is Giolee Global Resources Corporate Headquarters, located near the Army Range and C4i Checkpoint in Eneka, Port Harcourt. For ease of access, applicants may board a tricycle from the Eneka Flyover Igwuruta loading point and inform the driver they are stopping at Giolee or White House.

OES appreciated patience shown by applicants, noting that the process is designed to ensure transparency overall.

FG Train the Trainer Programme for Tax Reforms (module 2)

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FG Train the Trainer Programme for Tax Reforms (module 2)

The federal government, through the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has announced strong participation in its Train-The-Trainer Programme for professionals, focused on tax reform training nationwide.

Over 11,000 professionals registered for the Train-The-Trainer Programme, and the federal government has successfully completed Module 1 of the training. The initial target was to train 3,000 professionals across the country, but interest far exceeded expectations.

The program received 11,137 applications in just 2 weeks. The level of response showed the growing interest in understanding Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms. The committee expressed appreciation to all applicants, stating, “we are grateful to everyone who indicated interest.”

To accommodate the high number of applicants, the programme has been structured into three modules. Participants have the option to attend Module 1 only, Modules 1 and 2, or all three modules, depending on their professional needs and interests.

Module 1 focuses on tax reform foundations, policy objectives, and key changes. Module 2 covers technical analysis, deep insights, and compliance requirements, while Module 3 will address case studies and practical applications of the reforms.

Following the completion of Module 1, participants are now invited to take part in the next sessions under Module 2. Module 2 will hold on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

The training is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical tools required for effective implementation, efficient compliance, and optimisation of the benefits of the new tax reforms.

The programme is open to tax professionals, accountants, lawyers, economists, academics, finance managers, compliance officers, revenue administrators, legal advisers, policy analysts, and consultants involved in tax compliance, analysis, and advisory services.

To apply, interested applicants should visit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kMKw_Hgkkw-G-wTxdYl7FRIASGdn23d5?usp=sharing and participate.

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