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Apply: Kebram Tech Free Cybersecurity and AI Learn-a-thon

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The Kebram Tech Learn-a-thon application is open, and is set to kick off in February 2026, offering a free and certified Cybersecurity and Modern AI course for individuals looking to start or strengthen a digital career. The programme is organised by Kebram Tech in collaboration with the Katsina Directorate of ICT and delivered under the Cisco Networking Academy.

This initiative is designed to provide participants with practical, in-demand digital skills that align with current global technology needs. It targets dedicated learners who are serious about building careers in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and related digital fields.

About Kebram Tech

Kebram Tech is a technology innovation and infrastructure company headquartered in Katsina, Northern Nigeria. The company focuses on building digital capacity through training, systems development, and innovation support. Its core areas of work include cybersecurity training, IT systems deployment, startup incubation, and digital transformation solutions for individuals, organisations, and institutions.

About the Learn-a-thon

The Kebram Tech Learn-a-thon is a short but intensive learning programme designed to deliver maximum value within a limited time. The course is fully free and certified, making it an accessible opportunity for aspiring tech professionals.

  • Free Cybersecurity and Modern AI Course
  • Certified training under Cisco Networking Academy
  • 100 slots available per course
  • Two cohorts in total

Programme Structure

The training will take place at the KATDICT Multipurpose Hall and is structured to combine learning, assessment, and recognition of excellence.

  • Start Date: 2 February 2026
  • Venue: KATDICT Multipurpose Hall
  • Duration: 2 days of intensive classes
  • Examination follows after training
  • Cohort II begins the following week

Participants who demonstrate outstanding performance during the programme will receive special gifts and recognition. Only dedicated and committed applicants will be considered for selection.

Who Should Apply

The Learn-a-thon is suitable for individuals who are eager to begin or advance a digital career in 2026, especially in cybersecurity and emerging technology fields. Basic interest in technology and a willingness to learn are key requirements.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are required to submit their applications online through the official portal.

  • Application Opens: 2 February 2026
  • Application Closes: 20 February 2026

Link to Apply: APPLY HERE

This programme offers a timely opportunity to gain certified digital skills and take a confident step into the tech space.

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Bauchi Govt Calls on Entrepreneurs to Register for SMEDAN Free CAC

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Bauchi State Government, through the Office of the Special Adviser on Youth and Entrepreneurship, has urged entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state to register for the ongoing SMEDAN free CAC business registration initiative.

The initiative is aimed at supporting the growth and formalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises by helping them operate legally and gain wider business opportunities.

Under the programme, business owners are able to register their enterprises at no cost. This allows them to gain legal recognition, improve credibility, and access government programmes, financial support, training, and other business development opportunities. Officials explained that formal registration remains a key requirement for entrepreneurs seeking to expand operations and compete effectively in today’s economy.

The application process has been described as simple. Interested entrepreneurs are required to visit portal.smedan.gov.ng, create an account, and complete the necessary information as guided on the platform. Upon successful submission, eligible applicants will be supported through the free CAC registration process.

Speaking on the initiative, the Special Adviser on Youth and Entrepreneurship to the Bauchi State Government, Hon. Mohammed Atiku Isa, encouraged participation, describing the programme as “a strategic intervention aimed at empowering youths, strengthening businesses, and promoting sustainable economic development in the state.”

Eligible participants are advised to apply promptly now.

Apply: FG Federal Ministry of Works Recruitment

The federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has opened recruitment applications for unemployed graduate engineers and skilled artisans across all 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria under its Capacity Building and On-Site Training Programme.

The programme targets graduate engineers in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as skilled artisans, and is part of ongoing efforts to support infrastructure delivery while addressing youth unemployment. The initiative is in furtherance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Participants will receive structured training, mentorship and practical exposure linked directly to Federal Government construction and maintenance projects nationwide. Eligible applicants will be deployed to active construction sites and supervised by experienced engineers to gain hands-on experience and improve professional competence.

The objectives of the programme include equipping young engineers and artisans with practical skills in modern construction methods, building a sustainable local talent pool for infrastructure development, reducing youth unemployment through structured short-term engagement, and strengthening project delivery through skilled manpower.

Eligibility is open to graduate engineers holding B.Eng, B.Tech or HND qualifications in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, as well as skilled artisans with technical expertise in areas such as masonry, carpentry, steel reinforcement work, plumbing, welding and fabrication, electrical installation, heavy equipment operation and surveying assistance.

For graduate engineers, applicants must be Nigerian citizens between 18 and 35 years old, currently unemployed, and possess relevant qualifications from recognised institutions. They must provide evidence of NYSC completion, exemption or exclusion, be willing to work in any Local Government Area with ongoing projects, demonstrate basic computer literacy, and show readiness to participate fully in field training.

Skilled artisans must be Nigerian citizens aged 18 to 45, unemployed at the time of application, physically fit for construction work, and possess recognised vocational training, trade test certificates or verifiable experience. They must also be willing to undergo additional training, safety certification and supervised attachment.

Programme features include temporary engagement with monthly stipends, field mentorship, hands-on training, provision of basic safety equipment, certification on completion and priority consideration for future engagements.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for verification and orientation.

To apply, interested applicants should submit the requirements through the Ministry’s official email registryfmw@fmw.gov.ng.

Students to Repay NELFUND Loan After Graduation and Employment

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified that no beneficiary of its student loan scheme is required to begin repayment while still in school, stressing that repayment only starts after graduation and gainful employment, in line with the provisions of the law.

The clarification followed circulating claims in the media and on social platforms alleging that beneficiaries had been directed to commence repayment of their loans. Reacting to the reports, NELFUND dismissed them as untrue.

“NELFUND wishes to categorically state that these reports are false, misleading, and unfounded,” the Fund said.

The statement also followed an official clarification by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Edoba Bright Omoregie (SAN), who disowned a purported circular outlining repayment procedures for NELFUND loans. According to him, “The University has confirmed that the document did not originate from the institution and that no repayment guideline has been issued by NELFUND or the Federal Government.”

Reinforcing this position, the Fund stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, NELFUND has not issued any directive requesting students to begin repayment of their loans.”

NELFUND explained that the repayment framework is clearly stated in the NELFUND Establishment Act. The law provides that no beneficiary is required to repay the loan while still in school. It also states that no repayment is required while a beneficiary remains unemployed after graduation, and that loan repayment only commences, as applicable, after the beneficiary secures gainful employment.

According to the Fund, “NELFUND remains fully committed to its mandate of expanding access to higher education by providing transparent, fair, and student-friendly financing solutions.” It added that any official information regarding loan administration or repayment will only be communicated through verified NELFUND channels and formal government platforms.

The Fund urged students, parents, institutions, and the general public to disregard the fake circular and related publications, and to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among students.

Earlier, NELFUND had moved to partner with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to recover student loans after two years of service.

NELFUND also appreciated the continued cooperation of stakeholders and reassured all beneficiaries of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the welfare of Nigerian students nationwide.

Delta Govt urges indigenes to apply for Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme

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The Delta State Government has urged recent graduates to apply for the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), describing it as a pathway to jobs and skills. A government source said “the priority of all levels of government is creating job opportunities for young people.”

According to the state, the NJFP offers work experience, skills training, and real-world exposure to prepare graduates for long-term success. The programme links academic learning with workplace demands through national partnerships, while employers gain skilled talent.

Young graduates in Delta State were encouraged to stay informed, explore opportunities, and join programmes that boost employability and growth.

FG pushes youth-driven education reforms in Nigeria

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The Federal Government has restated its resolve to provide inclusive, equitable and future-ready education, placing Nigerian youth at the centre of efforts to transform the country’s learning system, as Nigeria marked the 2026 International Day of Education.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, stated this at the 2026 International Day of Education celebration in Abuja, themed “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education.” He described education as the bedrock of civilisation, peace and sustainable development, while acknowledging persistent global and national challenges, including access gaps, learning poverty, skills mismatches and gender disparities.

According to the Minister, ongoing reforms in the education sector are anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places education at the heart of national renewal, economic growth and social transformation.

He said the government has improved funding for education through increased budgetary allocations, non-budgetary financing and stronger partnerships with international development partners, to implement bold and systemic reforms across the sector.

Dr Alausa outlined key interventions under the Ministry’s Education Transformation Roadmap. These include curriculum rationalisation to promote critical thinking, creativity and industry-relevant skills; accelerated digitalisation through smart learning platforms and national education data systems; and strengthened teacher capacity to support modern pedagogy and artificial intelligence.

Other interventions, he said, include the expansion of technical and vocational education, improved education infrastructure and the introduction of a National Anti-Bullying Policy to ensure safe, inclusive and learner-friendly environments across schools.

The Minister emphasised that with over half of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the country’s greatest strength lies in its youth, adding that education policies must reflect this demographic reality.

He explained that the Ministry is moving away from traditional top-down education models to a participatory system that empowers learners as co-creators through innovation hubs, digital fluency programmes, feedback mechanisms and skills development aligned with the demands of the 21st-century economy.

Highlighting measurable achievements, Dr Alausa cited the rollout of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewed Initiative (NESRI); deployment of TVET learners across accredited centres nationwide; repositioning of TVET as a major driver of employment and entrepreneurship; expanded enrolment in medical, STEMM and nursing education; refocused and expanded scholarship opportunities; student venture capital and staff support funding; improved education data transparency; accelerated digital learning; and targeted interventions for out-of-school and Almajiri children.

He further noted progress in access and inclusion, including the integration of thousands of children into formal and non-formal education, expanded girl-child education through the AGILE programme and the LUMINAH 2030 Initiative, enhanced school safety frameworks and strengthened quality assurance across basic, secondary and tertiary education.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), the Minister called on parents, communities, civil society organisations, the media and the private sector to deepen collaboration with government in establishing innovation hubs, laboratories and skills centres to prepare young Nigerians for a global economy.

“By empowering our youth to co-create education, we are not merely reforming classrooms; we are safeguarding Nigeria’s future, strengthening national unity and unlocking the full potential of the next generation,” he said.

He commended Nigerian teachers for their dedication and resilience, urged students to continue shaping education policy through innovation and engagement, and reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing lifelong learning opportunities nationwide efforts

Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme Submission and How to Apply

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The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP) enrollment process is ongoing nationwide, and here’s the enrollment breakdown and new method on how eligible residents can apply to become beneficiaries.

Each approved beneficiary under the programme will receive a ₦50,000 grant paid in three instalments, amounting to a total of ₦150,000.

The RHWDP programme records submissions at the ward level while allowing residents to either be enrolled by ward officials or approach their ward councils directly if they are eligible.

Below is the enrollment breakdown so far showing total unique submissions followed by duplicate entries across states.

Kano – 883,374 and 31,016
Zamfara – 754,725 and 11,938
Kaduna – 713,122 and 6,838
Jigawa – 536,441 and 51,616
Katsina – 512,132 and 11,519
Kebbi – 402,531 and 8,984
Bauchi – 310,811 and 9,189
Gombe – 307,552 and 11,445
Nasarawa – 315,053 and 6,821
Sokoto – 251,978 and 4,151
Akwa Ibom – 287,367 and 25,888
Adamawa – 244,571 and 25,552
Rivers – 260,911 and 6,933
Ebonyi – 231,510 and 4,834
Lagos – 232,301 and 11,845
Benue – 201,082 and 24,616
Kogi – 215,770 and 38,442
Anambra – 197,703 and 61,901
Yobe – 185,881 and 41,596
Niger – 162,312 and 38,699
Osun – 167,486 and 5,350
Borno – 149,332 and 33,118
Ogun – 149,131 and 3,121
Kwara – 146,271 and 15,396
Oyo – 140,417 and 9,889
Bayelsa – 141,451 and 13,121
Abia – 125,021 and 31,162
Plateau – 117,657 and 7,082
Delta – 113,594 and 4,385
Ekiti – 108,901 and 11,756
Ondo – 107,721 and 32,394
Enugu – 94,693 and 7,551
Taraba – 101,117 and 85,196
Edo – 86,741 and 26,820
FCT – 91,015 and 15,873
Imo – 85,833 and 30,334
Cross River – 69,499 and 9,246

The requirements are basic. Applicants must have a valid National Identification Number (NIN), be residents within the local government area or ward of enrolment, and be economically active. This includes smallholder farmers, entrepreneurs or traders, technicians, craftsmen and women, artisans, and persons with disabilities.

To apply for Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, ward coordinators move around their wards to identify and enrol eligible beneficiaries based on their judgement. However, residents who do not see any enrolment officers should visit their ward council and request to be enrolled if they meet the requirements.

NJFP reopens 2026 application portal with N150,000 monthly stipend

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The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) has reopened its 2026 application portal to connect fresh graduates with work opportunities in public and private sector organisations across Nigeria.

The programme had previously indicated that the portal was closed, but it is now open again, allowing interested and eligible applicants to submit applications. The initiative offers 12-month paid work placements with a monthly stipend of N150,000. Work placements are available in both the public and private sectors across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The NJFP targets young Nigerians who recently completed tertiary education and are seeking structured work experience. To qualify as a Fellow, applicants must be Nigerian citizens and fresh graduates with a bachelor’s degree or HND certificate from any discipline, having graduated not earlier than 2022. Applicants are required to 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, not currently engaged in any form of employment, and 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.

Giving guidance on the application process, the programme stated, “To apply for the reopened NJFP 2026, interested and eligible applicants should visit https://www.njfp.ng/apply and apply.”

About the Programme

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) is a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It seeks to address unemployment by connecting talented Nigerian graduates with job placement opportunities in Host Organizations nationwide, offering experience, skills development, and preparation for the future workforce.

NELFUND Beneficiaries Not Yet Due for Student Loan Repayment

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The Presidency has clarified that beneficiaries of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are not yet required to begin repayment of their student loans, urging Nigerians to ignore claims circulating online suggesting otherwise.

The clarification was made in a statement on Saturday by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, via his official X page. According to Dada, repayment obligations under the NELFUND scheme will only begin after a two-year moratorium following the completion of the National Youth Service Corps scheme.

“As it stands, the scheme will clock two years in March 2026 from the day the first applications were made, and not a single one of the applicants would have reached the repayment stage. Kindly discard any other information contrary to these,” Dada said.

He also shared a video message by the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, who described the repayment framework as “seamless, transparent, and fair,” while addressing several concerns raised by prospective and current beneficiaries.

Sawyerr explained that the responsibility for loan repayment rests largely on the employers of graduates who benefited from the scheme, rather than on the beneficiaries themselves. He added that systems have been put in place to ensure compliance.

“We have a global standing instruction system in place to recover funds from defaulters attempting to evade repayment,” Sawyerr said.

Responding to fears that the loans could restrict movement, Sawyerr stated clearly that the NELFUND does not impose any form of travel ban on beneficiaries. He explained that the moratorium period was designed to give graduates time to stabilise after school and service.

“Two years is there because in your year of NYSC, you may not be able to look for a job. In the two years after, you have an opportunity to look for a job, settle down, rent a house, marry the love of your life, and all of that,” he said.

Sawyerr further clarified that repayment begins in the third year at a rate of 10 per cent of the beneficiary’s income, with employers expected to remit the funds directly. He noted that enforcement actions would target employers who fail to comply, except in cases where beneficiaries are self-employed.

“The fact you take a loan doesn’t mean you’re a slave to the government… People can travel wherever they want… If they’re earning money, they should send something back,” Sawyerr said added.

HOPE-GOV $500m funding targets budgeting reforms in health, education

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The National Coordinator of the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity-Governance (HOPE-GOV) Program, a World Bank–assisted initiative of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Assad Hassan, has said the Program is designed to incentivise implementing agencies, including State Governments, to institutionalise reforms in budgeting and expenditure management within Nigeria’s primary healthcare and basic education sectors.

Dr. Assad made the statement in Abuja on Friday when he led the National Program Coordination Unit (NPCU) of the HOPE-GOV Program on an implementation coordination visit to the Ministerial Oversight Committee Secretariat of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF MOC).

“For us it is not just about dishing out the money but if you look at the scope of the Program, it’s talking about reforms. Beyond the incentives that our implementing agencies are going to get, the Health Sector in particular is going to benefit from the reforms that the Program is going to achieve,” he said.

According to Dr. Assad, the visit was part of efforts targeted at implementing agencies to strengthen coordination and provide the support required to achieve the Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs).

“This is something we usually do for all our implementing agencies. It means the people that we are responsible for in terms of the Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs) and the Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs). Specifically, the States, BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee Secretariat as well as the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) at the Federal level. From time-to-time we engage so that we provide implementation support, coordination as well as support to ensure that our implementing agencies are able to achieve their results.

“It is the wish and the vision of the NPCU that all our implementing agencies get to achieve all the incentives that are required,” he stated.

Dr. Assad added that the first Coordination Meeting with State HOPE-GOV Focal Persons would hold on Monday next week to bolster implementation of the Program and ensure alignment across participating states.

He also said the Program was currently evaluating the engagement of Independent Verification Agents to assess the performance of implementing agencies for the first year of reform implementation, as a step towards the disbursement of incentives.

In his presentation at the meeting, the HOPE-GOV Program Officer, Mr. Jamil Abdallah, said the Program is a $500 million package to be disbursed to implementing agencies upon the achievement of Disbursement-Linked Results.

“For the HOPE-Governance, as we are all aware, it’s a Program for Results (PforR), where $500 million is actually earmarked for the Program whereby $480 million is for the PforR that is going to implementing agencies and States and the remaining $20 million is for Investment Project Financing, which is going to be used for program coordination, fiduciary management, capacity building, which is the technical assistance as well as verification of results and Monitoring and Evaluation,” he said.

Mr. Abdallah listed the Results Areas required to qualify for disbursement as increased availability and effectiveness of financing for basic education and primary healthcare service delivery, enhanced transparency and accountability for basic education and primary healthcare financing, and improved recruitment, deployment and performance management of basic education teachers and primary health care workers by federal, state and local governments.

He further stressed that International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)–compliant annual audited financial statements of implementing agencies must be published on their official websites within prescribed timeframes.

According to him, the financial statements must cover sources and uses of funds or receipts and payments, appropriations for the year under review, actual expenditures and balances against appropriations, comparative actual expenditures for the preceding year, and all required disclosure notes under the applicable financial reporting framework.

Mr. Abdallah added that all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory have signed on to participate in the Program.

In her remarks, the Acting Secretary of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Secretariat, Dr. Aishatu Abubakar Bajoga, pledged to work with the HOPE-GOV Program to achieve the set objectives.

“We are ready to work together and hopefully, it’s a work in progress from now on. Thank you,” she said.

A major highlight of the visit was an interactive session between members of the HOPE-GOV National Project Coordinating Unit and officials of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, led by its outgoing Secretary, Dr. Ogbe Oritseweyimi, where both sides compared notes on strategies for achieving the Fund’s Disbursement-Linked Indicators. The engagement focused on coordination.