Home Blog Page 142

NCDMB Gives Starter Packs to 250 Youths After Skills Training

Paulinus Sunday
-
0
NCDMB Gives Starter Packs to 250 Youths After Skills Training

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has presented starter packs to 250 youths who successfully completed training in high-selling self-reliance skills, reinforcing its commitment to youth empowerment and capacity development in Nigeria.

The presentation took place during the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries in Lagos State under the skills acquisition programme owned by NCDMB and executed by Jake Riley Academy. The initiative is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills that can support income generation and reduce unemployment.

Speaking at the event, John Geigha, who represented the Director of Capacity Building at NCDMB, Abayomi Bamidele, commended the graduates for their dedication throughout the training period. He encouraged them to make effective use of the opportunity provided and apply the skills responsibly.

Gbeya acknowledged the presence of members of the House of Representatives, led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Content, as well as other key stakeholders who attended the ceremony in support of youth development and local content advancement.

He explained that the programme aligns with NCDMB’s mandate to promote sustainable development through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. According to him, the Board recognises practical skills as essential to economic growth, job creation and personal financial security.

Gbeya stated that the graduates underwent over three weeks of intensive hands-on training across several vocational and entrepreneurial areas. These included fashion design and garment making, solar photovoltaic installation, electrical installation, catering and food business, digital skills and freelancing, textile design and Adire making, as well as GSM and mobile phone repair.

He stressed that the High-Selling Skills Programme was designed to complement formal education by providing beneficiaries with practical competencies capable of generating daily income. “Skills give certainty and comfort. When you have something tangible you can do with your hands, you are empowered to earn a living without depending on salaries or assistance,” he said.

Gbeya urged the graduands to take their training seriously, noting that consistent application of the acquired skills could lead to sustainable income and improved quality of life. He explained that the starter packs were meant to help the graduates immediately begin practising their trades.

He cautioned beneficiaries against selling the starter packs, describing such action as counterproductive. “Selling these starter packs is equivalent to selling your future. The intention is to impact not just you, but your families and communities,” he said.

He further emphasised that empowering one individual with relevant skills often benefits households and contributes to national development. Gbeya also disclosed that NCDMB is preparing additional readiness and capacity-building programmes for youths aged 35 and below, particularly those with engineering backgrounds, to enhance participation in opportunities within the oil and gas sector.

He encouraged interested youths to register through the Board’s official portal. The event ended with gratitude to the Federal Government, NCDMB management, Jake Riley Academy, facilitators and stakeholders, while graduates were urged to maximise the opportunity and serve as ambassadors of self-reliance.

Advertisement

SAM Empowerment Foundation Trains 100 Women, PWDs in FCT

Paulinus Sunday
-
0
SAM Empowerment Foundation Trains 100 Women, PWDs in FCT

Founder and president of the SAM Empowerment Foundation, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Achimugu, has empowered over 100 women and persons with disabilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with vocational skills in hairdressing, fashion designing and food processing.

The programme director of the foundation, Mrs Kiema Ogunlana, said the initiative aims to promote financial independence and self-sufficiency among beneficiaries, helping participants earn sustainable income.

She said the empowerment activities were part of events marking Dr Achimugu’s 52nd birthday, during which the foundation donated 10 oxygen cylinders, settled medical bills for indigent patients and distributed gift items to patients at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Ogunlana said the outreach reflects Dr Achimugu’s “twelve years of quietly, consistently, and sacrificially answering one question: ‘How can I help?’”

Dr Achimugu also announced that the Foundation would donate 10 oxygen cylinders monthly to the National Hospital as part of ongoing support for Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Isiaka Lawal, thanked the Foundation for the timely donation, noting that many indigent patients struggle to afford even basic medications.

Patients commended Dr Achimugu and urged Nigerians and organisations to emulate her gesture.

+234 Art Fair 2026 Set for March With Focus on Inclusivity

Nigeria Startup News
-
0
+234 Art Fair 2026 Set for March With Focus on Inclusivity

Details of the 2026 edition of the +234 Art Fair have been released, outlining plans for the third season of the contemporary art event scheduled to hold in Lagos.

The fair, organised by Ecobank Nigeria in partnership with Soto Gallery, will take place from March 5 to 8, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme Inclusivity.

According to the organisers, the theme reflects a shared commitment to creative entrepreneurship, equitable access, and the deliberate expansion of opportunity within Nigeria’s contemporary art ecosystem.

Founder of Soto Gallery, Ms Tola Akerele, said the fair is designed to open access to artists who are often excluded from mainstream platforms.

“Inclusivity is about opening doors wider and changing who gets seen, supported, and celebrated. We are already receiving exceptional works from artists who might otherwise not have access to platforms like this. The application remains open, and I encourage Nigerian artists to seize this opportunity to be recognised among the continent’s finest,” Akerele said.

Also speaking, the Head of SME Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Ms Omoboye Odu, described the 2026 edition as a purposeful intervention in Nigeria’s creative space.

“For the third edition of the +234 Art Fair, we celebrate Inclusivity as both a principle and a practice. Art belongs to everyone. This fair intentionally broadens the frame—moving beyond traditional centres of access to spotlight talent from the margins, from new geographies, and from voices that deserve to be heard,” she said.

Odu added that the fair is targeted at artists working across boundaries and outside established systems.

“If you are an artist working across boundaries, challenging perspectives, or creating outside established systems, this is your moment. +234 Art Fair 2026 is about building a more equitable creative future—together,” she said.

Over the years, the +234 Art Fair has grown into one of Lagos’ most important contemporary art platforms, with a clear focus on emerging and often ungalleried Nigerian artists.

Within a short period, the fair has connected local talent to collectors, patrons, institutions, and global audiences.

Apply: CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship 2026 (West Africa)

Paulinus Sunday
-
0
Apply: CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship 2026 (West Africa)

The 2026 Civic Tech Fellowship application window is officially open for leaders and core members of CivicTech initiatives across West Africa. The CivicHive CivicTech Fellowship is a 20-week bootcamp and implementation programme created to support early-stage civic innovators with tech-enabled ideas that address pressing social problems across the region.

CivicHive CivicTech Fellowship

The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship is designed to help civic innovators move from ideas to impact. Through a structured incubation process, the fellowship provides the tools, mentorship, and support required to strengthen solutions that improve civic participation, accountability, and public service delivery. The programme is implemented by and targets innovators working at different stages and scales.

About the CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship

Nigeria is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing youth populations. Within this context, civic technology has become a powerful driver of social change, combining digital and non-digital tools to bridge gaps between governments and citizens, expand civic space, and strengthen democratic participation.

Civic tech innovations now play a major role in advancing public participation, transparency, accountability, climate resilience, justice reforms, and efficient public service delivery. The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship exists to identify, nurture, and support the next generation of civic tech leaders responding to these challenges across West Africa.

The fellowship is an incubation programme supporting early-stage civic tech ideas and solutions. It welcomes initiatives at any stage and scale, from local and hyperlocal projects to regional platforms. Participants are encouraged to explore diverse technologies, including radio, SMS, print, artificial intelligence, and social media, depending on context and user needs.

The selection process prioritises ideas with clear impact on people and civic spaces, strong potential for sustainability, and long-term public value. It also values participants who demonstrate commitment, resilience, and a compelling vision for social change.

Thematic Areas

The fellowship focuses on priority areas shaping civic innovation today.

  • Artificial Intelligence for Good
  • Low-Cost Climate Tech Solutions
  • Technology for Social Good (Health, Education, and Justice)
  • Advocacy and Social Movements

Fellowship Benefits & Support

The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship will incubate 15 civic tech solutions across West Africa. Selected fellows will receive comprehensive support.

  • Technical, product, and legal support
  • Mentorship from experienced civic tech leaders
  • Access to a regional civic tech network
  • A monthly stipend throughout the fellowship
  • Support to prepare solutions for launch and early scaling
  • A paid trip to attend the 2026 West Africa Civic Tech Conference

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet specific requirements to qualify for the fellowship.

  • Be citizens or residents of any West African country
  • Apply as individuals or teams working on a civic tech idea or solution
  • Have tested the idea or operated it for one to three years
  • Align the solution with at least one thematic area
  • Demonstrate clear public-interest or social impact
  • Be available for the full duration of the programme
  • Be open to mentorship, collaboration, and peer learning

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official portal.

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 11, 2026.

Link to Apply: APPLY NOW

Apply: 2026 Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0

Paulinus Sunday
-
0
Apply: 2026 Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0

Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 has reopened applications for 2026. It is a Federal Government initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The aim is to address unemployment by connecting talented Nigerian graduates with job placement opportunities in public and private sector Host Organizations nationwide.

The NJFP 2.0 portal is open for 2026, allowing interested and eligible applicants to submit applications. The programme offers 12-month paid work placements with a monthly stipend of ₦150,000.

Work placements are available in both the public and private sectors across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Who Can Apply

  • NJFP 2.0 targets young Nigerians who have recently completed tertiary education and are seeking structured work experience.
  • Applicants must be Nigerian citizens.
  • Applicants must be fresh graduates with a bachelor’s degree or HND certificate from any discipline.
  • Applicants must have graduated not earlier than 2022.
  • Applicants must have at least a Second Class Lower (2.2) for bachelor’s degree holders or an Upper Credit (above 3.00) for HND holders.
  • Eligible applicants must be 30 years old or younger.
  • Applicants must not be currently engaged in any form of employment.
  • Applicants must have completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) or possess a valid certificate of exemption.
  • Other requirements include demonstrated interest and commitment to a chosen career field, willingness to contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, good time management, a professional attitude, and strong verbal and written communication skills.

The documentation required for application includes a notarized degree certificate and an NYSC certificate or exemption letter.

Applicants who have previously applied do not need to submit a new application.

How to Apply

To apply for the 2026 NJFP 2.0, interested and eligible applicants should visit https://www.njfp.ng/apply and submit their application.

Apply: FG Plant Variety Protection & Intellectual Property Boot Camp 2.0

Nigeria Startup News
-
0
Apply: FG Plant Variety Protection & Intellectual Property Boot Camp 2.0

The Nigeria Plant Variety Protection Office (NPVPO), the , and the , in collaboration with , have opened applications for a one-week intensive Boot Camp on Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and Intellectual Property (IP). The boot camp 2.0 programme is targeted at young Nigerians who are interested in building careers at the intersection of agriculture, innovation, and intellectual property.

The boot camp is designed to strengthen national capacity in plant variety protection and intellectual property systems, while preparing a new generation of professionals to support Nigeria’s evolving agricultural and seed sector. It will bring together selected participants for a residential, hands-on learning experience led by both national and international experts.

About the Boot Camp

The PVP and IP Boot Camp is a focused training programme aimed at equipping participants with practical knowledge of plant variety protection frameworks and intellectual property rights. The training will also expose participants to global standards and obligations that guide plant variety protection systems.

Key highlights of the boot camp include:

  • One-week intensive residential training
  • Hands-on sessions with national and international experts
  • Practical learning environment with peer-to-peer engagement

Training Focus Areas

Participants will receive structured training across core areas critical to plant variety protection and innovation.

  • PVP law and UPOV obligations
  • Intellectual property rights
  • Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) testing and enforcement
  • Career pathways in PVP and IP

What Participants Will Gain

The boot camp is designed to deliver both technical knowledge and long-term career value.

  • Practical knowledge in plant variety protection and intellectual property
  • Strong professional and institutional networks
  • Clear career pathways in agriculture, innovation, and IP-related fields
  • Entry into Nigeria’s growing PVP and IP ecosystem

Who Should Apply

Applications are open to young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 who have a background or strong interest in relevant fields.

  • Law
  • Agriculture or Agronomy
  • Plant Breeding and Seed Systems
  • Intellectual Property
  • Agricultural Policy and Innovation

The programme is ideal for individuals who are eager to contribute to agricultural development, innovation systems, and regulatory frameworks.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are required to submit their applications online using the official application form. Selection is competitive, and only 25 participants will be admitted into the boot camp.

Application Deadline: February 10, 2026

Link to Apply: APPLY HERE

Lagos to collect unpaid taxes directly from banks, employers, others

Nigeria Startup News
-
0
Lagos to collect unpaid taxes directly from banks, employers, others

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to enforce its statutory powers to recover unpaid taxes directly from banks, employers, tenants, business partners and other third parties linked to defaulting taxpayers.

The move followed a Public Notice issued by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service with reference number LIRS/003/01/2026, declaring its intention to apply the Power of Substitution as provided under Section 60 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, NTAA, 2025.

In the notice, LIRS informed the public, particularly employers, financial institutions, business operators and tax agents, that it is empowered by law to direct any person holding money on behalf of a taxpayer, or owing money to a taxpayer, to remit such funds directly to the Service in settlement of outstanding tax liabilities.

According to LIRS, the provision applies where a taxpayer “fails, neglects or refuses” to pay an established and final tax liability when due.

The Service explained that the Power of Substitution is a lawful tax recovery mechanism designed to ensure efficient collection of unpaid taxes, including Personal Income Tax, PIT, Capital Gains Tax, CGT, Stamp Duties and Withholding Tax, WHT, administered by the agency.

Under the Act, LIRS may issue substitution notices to banks and other financial institutions, employers, tenants, debtors or customers of the taxpayer.

Once such a notice is served, the recipient is legally required to remit the specified amount to LIRS from funds belonging to, or payable to, the defaulting taxpayer.

The tax liability is deemed settled to the extent of the remittance made, while failure to comply constitutes an offence under the Act.

Specifically, banks and financial institutions are mandated, upon receipt of a substitution notice, to remit the stated amount without delay and confirm compliance through the LIRS e-Tax platform at www.etax.lirs.net. They are also required to disclose the taxpayer’s available balances and any encumbrances when requested.

LIRS noted that the policy is intended to strengthen tax compliance and close loopholes that enable persistent defaults, adding that the measure aligns with global best practices in revenue administration.

Analysts say the notice effectively clarifies that LIRS can legally instruct third parties to pay a taxpayer’s outstanding obligations directly to the government without first going through the taxpayer, provided the liability is final and established.

However, the move has generated debate among legal and policy experts, with some expressing concerns over the wide discretionary powers granted to tax authorities.

One analyst warned that allowing substitution without a court order “is a recipe for disaster”, arguing that such powers could be misused if not properly checked.

“Unchecked, this could lead to abuse, where individuals or businesses are targeted for political or personal reasons. There must be safeguards, including judicial oversight, to prevent this from becoming a tool for vendetta,” the analyst said.

They added that while efficient tax collection is vital, the process must be balanced with due process, transparency and protection of taxpayers’ rights.

The Public Notice was issued from the Lagos Revenue House on Assbifi Road, Central Business District, Ikeja, reinforcing the state government’s resolve to boost revenue generation and curb tax evasion through stricter enforcement mechanisms.

Rayyan Microfinance Bank launches N2bn MSME projects in Borno

Paulinus Sunday
-
0
Rayyan Microfinance Bank launches N2bn MSME projects in Borno

Rayyan Microfinance Bank has announced the launch of N2 billion in projects aimed at supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across Borno State. The announcement was made by the Managing Director of the bank, Abubakar Musa, while addressing journalists on Sunday at an event organised to mark the grand opening of the bank in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Musa described the institution as an indigenous non interest microfinance bank with a clear focus on expanding access to finance for business owners, traders, and entrepreneurs across the state and beyond. He explained that the bank combines physical operations with digital services to reach a wider audience.

“This bank is an indigenous non-interest microfinance bank. We have a physical office here in Borno state, but we also have a digital presence everywhere through our mobile app, Internet banking, and USSD,” he said.

Speaking on the newly launched projects, Musa stated that they are designed to address key areas such as women empowerment, alternative energy, and small business development. He added that the launch event was mainly to formally introduce the bank to the public.

“This gathering is just to introduce the bank officially to the public; if not, we have been existing for some time now,” he said.

Musa disclosed that the bank unveiled five products during the launch, noting that four of them would receive direct financing. “We launched five products; they are, Rayyan Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, which will cater for traders, entrepreneurs and the rest. We have Rayyan Women, focusing on women entrepreneurs. We have SunRay, which is an alternative source of energy initiative for households and offices,” he said.

He explained that the bank has committed N2 billion to finance the four projects, while the fifth product focuses on investment. “We have committed N2 billion to finance these four projects we launched. The fifth project is on investment. Here, it is the customers who will bring their money. From the money they bring, from our shareholders’ fund and depositors’ fund, we will be able to finance the other four projects,” Musa said.

According to him, each of the four projects will receive equal funding. “Each of the projects will take N500 million,” he explained.

Musa also commended the Borno State Government for creating an enabling environment for private businesses to operate and grow. “Anything you are doing, if you want to grow, you must involve the wider community and the state government. So we are glad that the administration under the leadership of Professor Babagana Zulum has created the pathway to bring in private investors,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, commended the initiative and pledged the state government’s partnership with the bank. “Basically, Microfinance banks exist to drive innovation and reduce poverty through the provision of access to finance, insurance, and other services for low-income individuals who lack access to finance. I want to assure you that the government of Borno under my leadership will partner with Rayyan Microfinance Bank to serve our people,” he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Borno Elders Forum, Sheriff Gambo, praised the management of the bank and prayed for the sustainability of the initiative. “As elders, we commend this initiative, and we will continue to pray for sustainability. We wish them success and grant them our blessings,” he said.

SDGs, AUDA-NEPAD disburse ₦5.5m grants, goats to 490 Bauchi farmers

Paulinus Sunday
-
0
SDGs, AUDA-NEPAD disburse ₦5.5m grants, goats to 490 Bauchi farmers

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office and the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), in collaboration with the Bauchi State Government, have disbursed grants and livestock support to 490 smallholder farmers across 20 local government areas of Bauchi State.

The empowerment was carried out during an SDGs tour of the councils and involved the distribution of ₦5.5 million in cash grants and 108 goats to beneficiaries. The support is aimed at promoting self-reliance and improving livelihoods among less privileged farmers.

Speaking at the distribution exercise, the director-general of the Bauchi State SDGs Office, Mrs Lydia Shehu Gar, described the intervention as a major milestone in efforts to strengthen smallholder farmers and advance sustainable development in the state.

She said the initiative is part of a broader AUDA-NEPAD-supported programme designed to drive food security, economic resilience and prosperity through support for the agricultural value chain.

According to Gar, the SDGs office has implemented empowerment activities under the programme, including training SDGs desk officers, disbursing cash support, distributing goats and supplying agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, knapsack sprayers and seedlings.

She added that the profiling of smallholder farmers across all local government areas is ongoing.

The director-general disclosed that 30 beneficiaries were selected from nine focus local government areas, while 20 beneficiaries each were drawn from 11 non-focus local government areas. She noted that SDGs officials would monitor the programme to ensure sustainability.

In separate remarks, some local government chairmen commended the SDGs office and its partners for the intervention and pledged to ensure monitoring at the grassroots.

Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the SDGs Office and AUDA-NEPAD, promising to utilise the support in line with the programme’s objectives. The exercise covered selected councils.

Interswitch announces winners of 7th InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition

Nigeria Startup News
-
0
Interswitch announces winners of 7th InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition

Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has announced the winners of the seventh edition of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition. Regarded as Nigeria’s largest STEM competition for senior secondary school students, the programme concluded on a high note after months of nationwide assessments, problem-solving challenges, and competitive stages involving more than 18,000 registered participants.

Sixteen-year-old Saint Riman of Adedokun International Schools, Ota, Ogun State, emerged as the overall winner and was crowned Nigeria’s Best STEM Student. He received a ₦15 million scholarship and a brand-new laptop, earning the title of Nigeria’s top STEM champion. His performance stood out across the different stages of the competition, which tested students on scientific knowledge, innovation, and critical thinking.

David Okorie of Caleb International College, Magodo, Lagos State, secured the First Runner-Up position and was awarded a ₦10 million scholarship alongside a brand-new laptop. David Solomonezemma of Deeper Life High School, Enugu State, emerged as the Second Runner-Up, receiving a ₦5 million scholarship and a brand-new laptop. All the winners also received additional prizes designed to support their academic development and learning experience.

Speaking while presenting the awards, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, Interswitch, commended the students for their discipline, resilience, and outstanding intellectual performance. She said: “InterswitchSPAK was created to inspire and reward excellence in STEM education while equipping young Africans with the skills to tackle real-world challenges. These winners have demonstrated remarkable promise, and by supporting their education, we are reaffirming our belief in the power of young people to shape Africa’s future through innovation and science.”

Interswitch also expressed appreciation to partners and stakeholders for supporting the initiative and announced that preparations are already underway for the next edition of the competition, tagged InterswitchSPAK 8.0, with expectations of wider participation nationwide.

1...141142143...693Page 142 of 693