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British Council Announces 12-Month Arts Internship for Graduates

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British Council Announces 12-Month Arts Internship for Graduates

The British Council has announced an internship opportunity for fresh graduates under its Intern – Arts programme, offering a 12-month experiential learning placement in Abuja, Nigeria. The role, which was posted on January 20, 2026, is designed to help young graduates gain real world experience that complements the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies.

The internship is part of its effort to improve employability among recent graduates by exposing them to practical workplace skills. “The British Council would like to offer fresh graduates an experiential learning opportunity to gain real world experience through an internship programme,” the role profile stated. It added that the intern is expected to both learn from and contribute to the workplace during the internship period, with the overall aim of helping graduates become “more employable and successful because of the skills they acquire from the internship opportunity.”

The internship will be hosted within the Arts team, which plays a key role in building connections between the United Kingdom and Nigeria’s creative sectors. The council explained that the team supports the development of new partnerships, promotes arts and culture on the global stage, and facilitates dialogue around major global issues. Through this role, the intern will have the chance to apply existing knowledge in a professional environment while gaining further experience to support a career in the arts sector.

Details of the role show that the intern will provide administrative and logistical support for projects and events, mainly within the arts programme, but also across other parts of the business when required. The intern will also be responsible for administering monitoring and evaluation tools, including scorecards, and ensuring that data is collected and documented within set deadlines and in line with corporate standards.

In addition, the intern will support marketing and communications activities for arts projects and other operations when needed. This includes helping with repetitive but essential tasks such as creating images, scheduling approved social media posts, and monitoring analytics. The council noted that the intern may also be assigned other administrative duties as required.

On eligibility, applicants must have completed a graduate level education and must have graduated within the last two years. While no specific role-related experience was listed as mandatory, candidates are expected to demonstrate strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask. Fluency in written and spoken English is required, along with computer literacy and proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, and PowerPoint. Applicants are also expected to be proficient in Canva and to show a clear interest in the arts.

Candidates must confirm their right to live and work in Nigeria before applying. It advised applicants to research visa requirements and contact local human resources teams for guidance, noting that visa support is provided only at the organisation’s discretion.

The selection process will assess candidates based on core skills such as communicating and influencing, planning and organising, and using technology, all at Level 1. The British Council’s values and behaviours will be assessed during shortlisting and interviews. “Our values are Open and Committed; Expert and Inclusive; Optimistic and Bold,” the organisation stated, adding that these values guide decision making and how staff work with others across all levels of the organisation.

Interested applicants can submit applications via the official portal https://careers.britishcouncil.org/careers/job/563705889714311

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Lagos Installs Solar Power at Badagry Tourism Sites

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Lagos Installs Solar Power at Badagry Tourism Sites

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has installed solar power systems in key tourism facilities in Badagry to improve services and support tourism development in the area.

The project was disclosed during an inspection of the sites by a team from the Ministry on Thursday, 24th January 2026. The inspection was led by the Director of the Monuments Management Department, Mr. Ibrahim Ladejobi, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka.

According to the Commissioner, the move is aimed at enhancing visitors’ experience, increasing tourist patronage, and creating smooth and memorable visits to the facilities. She said the installations would help the sites operate independently from the national grid.

Facilities that benefited from the solar power systems include the Badagry Heritage Museum, the Vlekete Slave Market, and the Tourist Information Centre in Badagry.

Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka explained that the solar systems were executed under the supervision of the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to ensure quality, durability, and long-term sustainability.

She noted that the intervention became necessary due to persistent epileptic power supply affecting major tourism sites in Badagry.

“To bridge the gap and address recurring complaints from tourists and visitors over power challenges at these sites, the Ministry sought an alternative energy solution to guarantee uninterrupted services,” she said.

NABTEB announces 2026 NCEE registration date, exam for Technical Colleges

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NABTEB announces 2026 NCEE registration date, exam for Technical Colleges

National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has announced the registration date and examination schedule for the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Technical Colleges across the country.

Speaking at the Board’s headquarters in Benin City, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, said the entrance examination would be conducted nationwide on Saturday, 6 June 2026, at approved examination centres across Nigeria.

Dr. Aminu disclosed that registration for the examination into Federal Technical Colleges would commence on Monday, 26 January 2026, and close on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

Reaffirming the readiness and institutional capacity of the Board to deliver a smooth, transparent and hitch-free registration exercise, Dr. Aminu said technical and vocational education and training, TVET, remained a critical pillar of Nigeria’s education and skills development agenda.

He said NABTEB had put in place comprehensive administrative and technological measures to ensure that prospective candidates, parents, guardians and school administrators experience a user-friendly and stress-free registration process.

According to him, “These measures are designed to eliminate bottlenecks, enhance access nationwide, and uphold the highest standards of examination integrity.

“In furtherance of this objective, NABTEB has approved an extended registration timeline spanning four months, a deliberate policy decision intended to allow adequate preparation time for candidates while minimising congestion on the registration platform.

“The policy decision will also reduce financial and logistical pressure on parents and guardians and enable schools to properly guide candidates through the registration process.”

The Registrar warned prospective candidates and parents against the use of unauthorised agents, cyber cafés or third-party platforms for registration.

“All applications must be processed exclusively through NABTEB’s official portal.

“Candidates and guardians are advised to complete their registration well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute challenges,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to professionalism and transparency, adding that NABTEB remained focused on expanding access to technical education while safeguarding the credibility of its examinations.

Mr Mohammed also encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities offered by technical and vocational education and training, describing it as a pathway to employable skills, entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.

“Technical and vocational education and training equip young people with the practical competencies required for national development.

“Nigerians are encouraged to choose skills, choose opportunity and choose a secure future,” he said.

He added that NABTEB would continue to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to strengthen skills-based education and support Nigeria’s human capital development goals.

Enrollment at Federal Technical Colleges surged last year by more than 300 per cent after President Bola Tinubu announced incentives for students interested in TVET, including free tuition, free feeding, free accommodation and a monthly stipend of N22,500. The Board also urged senior government officials to avoid intimidation of subordinates during the exercise to protect fairness and confidence nationwide overall.

Nigeria Launches Maiden Cloves Farming Scheme for 2026 Wet Season

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Nigeria Launches Maiden Cloves Farming Scheme for 2026 Wet Season

The Cloves Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria has announced the start of the country’s maiden cloves farming initiative for the 2026 wet season, marking a new push to diversify agricultural production and exports.

The disclosure was made by Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, National Coordinator of the association, at the end of the North-West Farmers Training of Trainers Workshop held at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on Saturday.

Shuaibu said the pilot phase of the initiative would involve at least 2,000 farmers from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to more than 74,000 nationwide.

He described cloves as a tropical crop capable of thriving across many parts of Nigeria, noting that each participating farmer would receive quality seeds and essential inputs to cultivate half a hectare of clove farm.

“The initiative is designed to tap into the huge domestic and international demand for cloves, particularly from food and pharmaceutical companies,” Shuaibu said.

He added, “Nigeria will become the second African country after Zanzibar, Tanzania, to produce cloves commercially. This development promises to be a game-changer in foreign exchange earnings and youth employment,” he said.

Speaking on state-level readiness, Hajiya Maijidda Abdulkadir, State Treasurer of the association’s Kaduna chapter, said Kaduna State, already known for ginger production, would fully embrace the programme.

According to her, the initiative is targeted at reducing poverty, creating jobs, and empowering women farmers, while ensuring that no group is excluded from the benefits.

Abdulkadir also confirmed that the maiden scheme had secured improved clove seeds from Tanzania and called on state governments to provide the necessary policy and logistical support to ensure smooth implementation.

Similarly, Alhaji Aminu-Yahaya Masanawa, a Financial Adviser to the association, said cloves production offers higher returns than grains and many vegetable crops.

He explained that the programme would also serve as a buffer against recent losses suffered by farmers due to sudden crashes in farm produce prices.

“Once production begins, Nigeria will move from being a net importer of cloves to a potential exporter, bringing in additional foreign exchange revenue,” Masanawa said.

In support of the initiative, Prof. Mukhtar Abdullah of IAR, ABU, Zaria, unveiled a comprehensive training manual on clove cultivation.

Abdullah said the programme would boost empowerment, food security, and sustainable incomes for youth and women.

Renewed Hope Ward Programme faces backlash over missing Coordinator contacts

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Renewed Hope Ward Programme faces backlash over missing Coordinator contacts

Public concerns are growing across several states over access to information and registration processes under the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, a grassroots initiative of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at empowering Nigerians at ward level.

While many citizens have welcomed the programme for its focus on local development and inclusion, complaints have emerged over difficulties in reaching ward coordinators and verifying authentic registration details. Residents in different parts of the country say that contact information for many ward coordinators is not publicly available online, making it hard for eligible participants to know where, when, and how to register.

According to community feedback, the absence of an official online registration platform has increased confusion. In several wards, people reportedly rely on word of mouth or informal sources to get updates, a situation that has raised fears of exclusion and misinformation. Some residents say they only hear about enrolment after deadlines have passed, while others are unsure which information is genuine.

An open appeal circulating among citizens has urged the Federal Government to address these challenges by either moving registration fully online or publishing verified contact details of state and ward coordinators on official platforms. Supporters of the appeal argue that an online system would promote transparency, equal access, and trust, especially for youths, women, and people living far from local government secretariats.

They note that the Renewed Hope agenda was introduced to reach every ward and household, and that limited access to coordinators undermines this goal. The appeal also warns that the information gap could expose citizens to fake links and unofficial agents claiming to facilitate registration.

Despite the concerns, the programme continues to attract interest nationwide, reflecting strong public demand for grassroots support. Many Nigerians say they remain hopeful that the administration will respond to the feedback and improve information flow so that the benefits of Renewed Hope can reach communities across the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Startup News can confirm that some of the states, including Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Niger, released the contact phone numbers of ward coordinators for each Local Government Area.

FuelTree, FACAN to enroll 100,000 farming households in clean energy programme

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FuelTree, FACAN to enroll 100,000 farming households in clean energy programme

FuelTree Limited and the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) have entered a strategic partnership to expand access to clean energy in Nigeria’s agricultural communities, targeting the enrolment of 100,000 rural and peri-urban farming households into FuelTree’s Virtual Cylinder Recirculation Model (vCRM).

The partnership is aligned with Nigeria’s national clean energy and climate commitments, including the Climate Change Act, the Decade of Gas initiative, the Energy Transition Plan, the National Clean Cooking Policy, and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions under international climate frameworks. The initiative is also positioned to support wider efforts to tackle climate change while strengthening rural economic development.

The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, which brings together FuelTree’s clean energy delivery systems and digital infrastructure with FACAN’s extensive nationwide network of agricultural cooperatives, commodity associations, and producers. FACAN serves as the apex coordinating body for agricultural commodity associations in Nigeria and operates under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Under the programme, participating households will access liquefied petroleum gas solutions through an affordable, technology-enabled model designed to improve last-mile accessibility, traceability, and sustained usage. The vCRM framework integrates smart tracking tools, digital payment platforms, and embedded financing options such as Buy-Now-Pay-Later and microcredit facilities tailored to the operational realities of farming communities.

Commenting on the initiative, FuelTree director, Dr Bekeme Olowola, highlighted the broader social and health benefits of clean energy adoption. She said, “Access to clean energy within agricultural communities has a direct impact on productivity, health outcomes, environmental protection, and household resilience. With over 120,000 deaths annually linked to household air pollution, embedding clean cooking solutions within existing cooperative and payroll structures is designed to move beyond one-off distribution towards durable and scalable adoption.” The programme will roll out nationally in phases across hubs.

Ogun to enrol 236,000 residents under Renewed Hope Ward Programme

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Ogun to enrol 236,000 residents under Renewed Hope Ward Programme

No fewer than 236,000 residents of Ogun State have been earmarked for upliftment from poverty under the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, RHWDP.

The State Coordinator of the programme and Secretary to the Ogun State Government, SSG, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, disclosed this during a meeting with members of the Council of Governor’s Liaison Officers, GLOs, at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Talabi said the GLOs are key stakeholders responsible for driving the programme across the state’s 236 wards and ensuring that the intended beneficiaries are properly identified and enrolled.

He explained that the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is designed to tackle poverty by stimulating grassroots economic activities across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards.

According to him, the programme focuses on identifying local economic opportunities, empowering between 1,000 and 2,000 entrepreneurs per ward, and promoting self-reliance through strong collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments.

“The initiative aligns with the national goal of achieving a one trillion dollar economy by 2030,” Talabi said.

He noted that the programme presents a timely opportunity for Ogun State to create sustainable wealth for its people, reduce multidimensional poverty, and enhance security through improved production and economic empowerment.

The SSG charged the Governor’s Liaison Officers to identify 1,000 economically active individuals per ward for enrolment into the programme.

He warned against favouritism and multiple registrations, stressing that the initiative is open to all eligible residents regardless of political affiliation.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Council of GLOs, Hon. Tola Olutayo, assured the state government of the council’s total commitment to ensuring transparent and fair enrolment of beneficiaries across all 236 wards of Ogun State. Statewide implementation.

SERAP sues Power Minister, NBET over alleged missing N128bn

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SERAP sues Power Minister, NBET over alleged missing N128bn

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET), Abuja, over the failure to account for the alleged missing or diverted N128 billion in public funds from the Ministry of Power and NBET.

The lawsuit follows grave allegations documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation on 9 September 2025. The report raised serious concerns about how public funds meant for the power sector were handled, linking corruption to the persistent failures in electricity supply. Nigerians were again plunged into darkness last week following the first national grid collapse of 2026, further heightening public concern over accountability in the sector.

The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In the case, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Adelabu and NBET to account for the missing or diverted N128 billion from the ministry of power and NBET.”

SERAP is also asking the court for “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Adelabu and NBET to disclose details of how the missing or diverted N128 billion was spent, including the dates of disbursement and the purported beneficiaries or contractors, who received the money as well as their registered business names and addresses.”

In addition, the organisation wants the court to compel the disclosure of those involved in approving the payments. According to SERAP, it is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Adelabu and NBET to disclose the full names, official designations, and offices of all public officers who authorised, approved, or otherwise participated in the release of the missing or diverted N128 billion in the ministry of power and NBET.”

In the suit, SERAP argued that “Nigerians continue to pay the price for the widespread and grand corruption in the power sector. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations.”

The organisation also maintained that granting the reliefs sought would have wider benefits for the country. It stated that, “Granting the reliefs sought would contribute to tackling corruption in the power sector and addressing the persistent breakdown of transmission lines in the country, as well as improving access of Nigerians to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.”

SERAP further argued that, “granting the reliefs sought would also strike a blow against the impunity of those responsible for the missing or diverted public money meant to provide Nigerians with access to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.”

According to SERAP, ordinary citizens are already bearing the cost of alleged corruption. The group stated that, “Ordinary Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector–staying in darkness, but still made to pay crazy electricity bills.”

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo. The suit read in part: “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international anticorruption standards.”

SERAP relied heavily on findings contained in the 2022 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation. According to the report, the Federal Ministry of Power failed to account for over N4.4 billion, specifically N4,404,647,938.53, “transferred to Mambilla, Zungeru and Kashimbilla project accounts by the Ministry.”

The report noted that there was “no evidence of how the funds were expended.” It added that the Auditor-General feared “the money may have been diverted” and recommended that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury.

The Auditor-General’s report also revealed that the Ministry of Power paid over N95 billion, amounting to N95,415,183,701.83, to “some contractors for various projects.” However, “there was no document on the payments, and no evidence that the projects existed and were executed.” The Auditor-General again feared “the money may have been diverted” and called for its recovery.

Further findings showed that the Ministry paid over N33 million, specifically N33,557,959.00, “for foreign travels” without the required approvals. The money was reportedly paid as estacode, flight tickets, visa fees, and other allowances to enable the minister and his aides to attend the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi and the Huawei innovation land exhibition in Dubai.

According to the report, the travels “were never approved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or the Head of Civil Service.” The Auditor-General feared “the money may have been diverted” and recommended that it be recovered and remitted to the treasury.

The report also stated that the Ministry failed to account for over N230 million, amounting to N230,795,255.27, recorded as “expenditure on the GIGMIS platform.” The Auditor-General again feared “the money may have been diverted” and called for recovery.

Another finding showed that the Ministry paid over N282 million, specifically N282,672,576.53, as “non-personal advances to various staff of the ministry for the procurement of goods and services.” The report noted that the payments were “beyond the statutory threshold of N200,000.00,” raising further concerns. The Auditor-General feared “the money may have been diverted” and urged recovery.

The report also detailed several alleged financial irregularities involving NBET. According to the Auditor-General, NBET “irregularly awarded contracts for over N427 million,” amounting to N427,491,866.16, with “no evidence of advert placements in the procurement journal.” The Auditor-General feared that “the contracts may have been awarded to incompetent contractors,” resulting in “loss of government funds.”

NBET was also accused of “irregularly transferring over N7 billion,” specifically N7,620,840,000.00, “into purported sub-accounts of unnamed beneficiaries.” The report stated that there was “no authority for such payment, contrary to the Financial Regulations.”

The Auditor-General further disclosed that NBET claimed it paid over N9.3 billion, amounting to N9,336,986,697.17, to Egbin Power Plc as outstanding payment on GenCos for the Power Sector Reform Programme. However, there was “no document to authenticate the genuineness of the transactions.” The Auditor-General feared “the money may have been diverted” and called for recovery.

According to the report, NBET also paid over N8 billion, amounting to N8,027,355,487.20, “to some beneficiaries” without entering the transactions into the payment vouchers register and the vote book. The Auditor-General feared “the money may have been diverted and misapplied.”

The report also stated that NBET “awarded contracts of over N420 million,” amounting to N420,665,525.65, to eleven ineligible consultants for consultancy services such as technical support on power plant capacity testing of five power plants. There was “no evidence that the services paid for were rendered,” and the engagement failed to meet due process requirements under the Procurement Act.

NBET was also said to have failed to account for payments of over N45 million, amounting to N45,851,647.92, made as contingency, logistics, and security charges for six contracts. The payments were reportedly made without any application from contractors or approvals, and there was “no breakdown of the expenditure.”

The Auditor-General further reported that NBET spent over N61 million, amounting to N61,775,659.75, from its capital vote on consultancy services without any provision in the approved capital budget and without approval for virement.

Another finding showed that NBET “irregularly awarded contract of over N39 million,” amounting to N39,661,081.83, for the supply and installation of a video conferencing solution, with “no evidence of any work done.” The same contract was reportedly re-awarded without open competitive bidding.

NBET also reportedly paid over N49 million, amounting to N49,995,000.00, for the supply of three units of Toyota Corolla, 2019 model, without required approvals. The report further disclosed payments of over N8 million as legal fees without the approval of the Attorney General.

The Auditor-General also raised concerns over over N8.9 million paid for professional development programmes, over N1 billion spent as extra-budgetary expenditure, and over N110 million paid to companies and supermarkets for staff items without documentation.

SERAP argued that Section 13 and Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution impose a duty on the Ministry of Power and NBET to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power. It also cited Article 26 of the UN Convention against Corruption, which Nigeria has ratified, stressing the need for effective sanctions. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

NPF Microfinance Bank Grows from ₦500,000 to ₦13bn

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NPF Microfinance Bank Grows from ₦500,000 to ₦13bn

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Microfinance Bank has recorded significant growth over the past three decades, transforming from a small financial institution with a capital base of ₦500,000 in 1993 into a national microfinance bank with shareholders’ funds of about ₦13 billion and a customer base exceeding 1.5 million Nigerians.

The Managing Director of the bank, Habeeb Yusuf, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen over the weekend, where he highlighted the bank’s journey, performance and future outlook.

According to Yusuf, NPF Microfinance Bank began operations in 1993 and expanded steadily, opening additional branches across the country before transforming into a national microfinance bank following licensing reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Today, the bank boasts 49 branches across all state capitals in the country,” he said.

He added that the institution’s financial growth has been consistent over the years.

“We grew from a capital base of ₦500,000 in 1993 to a shareholders’ fund of about ₦13 billion today. We are currently the only listed microfinance bank on the stock exchange and among the best-performing banks in capital appreciation,” Yusuf stated.

He further disclosed that NPF Microfinance Bank is the only microfinance bank listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, a development he said reflects its stability, transparency and strong corporate governance.

According to him, the bank ranked second best in capital appreciation among financial institutions in 2025, based on an independent publication, a performance that has further strengthened investor confidence.

While the bank is historically linked to the Nigerian Police Force, Yusuf dismissed the perception that its services are limited to police officers.

“Although police officers and the Nigeria Police Insurance Scheme jointly own about 76 per cent of the bank, our customer base tells a different story,” he explained.

He said only about 45 per cent of the bank’s salary products are patronised by police officers, while 55 per cent are taken up by civilians and other professionals.

“With over 1.5 million customers nationwide, only about 300,000 police officers are among our clientele. This clearly shows that our services are open to all Nigerians, including civil servants, traders, artisans, farmers and corporate clients,” he said.

The Executive Director of Operations, John Tizhe, explained that the bank provides a wide range of financial products designed to meet the needs of different segments of society.

“These include current accounts, salary accounts, corporate accounts, multiple savings products and specialised loan schemes,” Tizhe said.

He listed some of the bank’s flagship products to include the Police Officer Service Account, Kids Education Savings, We-We Account for festive planning, Edu-Finance Savings, and the Better Women Savings and Loan Scheme.

“We believe that when you empower a woman, you empower the family and the nation. That is why Better Women is one of our most cherished products, offering the lowest interest rates to support women in business,” he explained.

Tizhe also said the bank introduced Halal Banking Services to cater to customers who prefer interest-free accounts, particularly for pilgrimage and festive planning.

He added that the institution operates several loan products, including salary-based loans, school facility loans, agricultural loans, transport financing, business loans and micro-housing schemes.

According to him, thousands of police officers and civil servants have benefited from incremental housing loans, enabling them to buy land, build houses gradually and plan for life after retirement.

“We have helped many junior officers move from having nothing to owning land, building houses and educating their children. That is part of our core mandate of poverty alleviation,” he said.

On interest rates, Tizhe acknowledged the challenges associated with the high cost of funds in the microfinance sector but maintained that the bank offers some of the lowest lending rates in the industry.

“Our rates are competitive and affordable, with some products as low as three to six per cent monthly. We manage risks carefully and our non-performing loans are far below the five per cent threshold approved by the Central Bank,” he stated.

He also noted that the bank has invested heavily in digital banking infrastructure, offering USSD services, mobile banking applications, internet banking, agency banking, ATMs and POS services.

The Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mrs. Osaro Idemudia, said the bank recorded over 1.1 million social media visits and about 350,000 interactions in the last month alone, reflecting its growing digital presence.

She noted that the bank operates largely without international donor funding, relying mainly on deposits and local funding sources.

“However, it has accessed intervention funds from the Development Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry, and previously participated in the World Bank-supported housing microfinance programme before it was discontinued,” she said.

Looking ahead, Yusuf expressed optimism about the bank’s future, revealing plans to expand operations and impact nationwide.

“Our goal is to triple our balance sheet size within the next five years, expand our visibility nationwide and deepen financial inclusion. We want every Nigerian to know that NPF Microfinance Bank is safe, strong and open to all,” he said.

The Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. Olamide Akin-Balogun, called on journalists and stakeholders to help restore public confidence in the microfinance sector by highlighting credible institutions and warning against unlicensed deposit collectors.

She stressed that public awareness and accurate reporting would help protect depositors, strengthen trust, and support sustainable growth across regulated microfinance institutions nationwide in Nigeria.

FG urges states to implement National Homeownership Campaign

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FG urges states to implement National Homeownership Campaign

The Federal Government has urged state governments to actively support and implement the National Homeownership and Housing Development Campaign, saying the initiative will only succeed if states translate federal housing reforms into concrete projects at the subnational level.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated this in Ilorin, Kwara State, while addressing participants on the fourth day of the 14th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development. He said the campaign is designed to move housing reforms from policy documents to visible developments across states.

According to Dangiwa, the campaign is scheduled to be flagged off in Katsina State on March 4 and 5, 2026, and is aimed at bridging the gap between federal housing policies and actual delivery by state governments. He explained that the Federal Government can only achieve meaningful housing outcomes when states take ownership of implementation.

He said the initiative reflects the ministry’s resolve to work more closely with states and relevant institutions to ensure that housing programmes are not limited to policy statements but deliver measurable results. The minister described the campaign as an effort to align federal reforms, financing instruments and private sector participation with state-level housing priorities.

Dangiwa noted that the Federal Government expects governors, housing commissioners, permanent secretaries, housing institutions, developers and financiers to fully engage with the campaign and drive its objectives at the state level.

“I want to use this platform to call on all stakeholders—governors, commissioners, permanent secretaries, housing institutions, developers, financiers and professionals—to actively support and participate in this campaign, which will be flagged off in Katsina State from March 4 to 5, 2026,” he said.

He added that the ministry’s approach is now focused on collective delivery rather than fragmented interventions, stressing that federal agencies must work together to support state implementation.

“Our new direction is to ensure that the ministry and all Federal Housing Institutions function as one government, delivering results that directly support state and local implementation efforts,” Dangiwa said.

The minister explained that the campaign aligns with the Unified Housing Delivery Framework recently introduced by the ministry. He said the framework is meant to strengthen collaboration between the Federal Government and states in housing development and urban planning.

The campaign is being organised by Know This Nigeria Network in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and will be implemented through regional executive sessions and public homeownership seminars.

These activities are designed to deepen engagement between Federal Housing Institutions, Development Finance Institutions and state governments, while also increasing public awareness of housing opportunities.

Speaking at the meeting, the National Coordinator of the campaign, QS Muhammed Baba Adamu, said Katsina State would host the North-West edition as the first phase of the nationwide programme.

“It provides clear and consistent platforms for awareness and engagement, and enables sustained interaction beyond one-off meetings or political cycles,” Adamu said.

He also disclosed that a key focus of the campaign is encouraging states to establish State Housing Reform Offices to strengthen technical capacity within government.

“These offices will provide expert-level advisory and technical capacity within state governments, enabling them to convert opportunities into bankable and deliverable projects,” he said.

The council meeting in Ilorin brought together federal and state officials, housing professionals and development partners to deliberate on housing policy direction. Nigeria continues to face a housing deficit, with official figures showing that about 15.2 million housing units are structurally inadequate, highlighting challenges linked to urban renewal, infrastructure and access to finance.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government has been promoting reforms aimed at simplifying land administration, expanding housing finance and encouraging private sector participation, with the campaign positioned to support states in implementing reforms.

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