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Apply: Plan International Youth Challenge Fund Phase 4 (€7,000 Grant)

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Apply: Plan International Youth Challenge Fund Phase 4 (€7,000 Grant)

August 20, 2025 – Applications are now open for the Youth Challenge Fund – Edition 4, announced by Plan International Nigeria. The program is designed to support young activist groups in West and Central Africa who are working to make change in their communities.

The Fund will provide financial support of €5,000 to €7,000 to both registered and unregistered groups, collectives, and organizations led by girls or young feminists.

According to Plan International Nigeria, this initiative focuses on “supporting the innovation, creativity, and energy of young activists who are committed to gender equality.”

The call for proposals highlights seven main areas where projects can apply. These include:
i. Girls’ Employment and Entrepreneurship
ii. Protection from Violence
iii. Youth Leadership and Mentorship
iv. Girls Access to Quality Education
v. Climate Change, Environment and Livelihoods
vi. Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
vii. Humanitarian Response and Emergency

Applicants who are selected will also benefit from several opportunities beyond the funding itself. The benefits outlined by the organization are:
a. Join the Youth Challenge Fund 4 network
b. Get at least 5 capacity strengthening sessions tailored to your needs
c. Sessions run online by County Offices and the West and Central Africa Regional Hub
d. Access all tools and resources on the Equality Accelerator platform
e. Help shape new tools for activism
f. Receive support from a dedicated Plan Country Office staff member
g. Benefit from online networking with other young activists in the region

Eligibility is open to groups that meet specific criteria.

These include:
1. Groups must be led by girls or women aged 15-30. Priority is given to young feminists aged 15-24.
2. Groups must have an annual budget of under 50,000 EUR.
3. They must be independent from government, political, religious organizations, and corporations.
4. The proposal must focus on at least one Youth Challenge Fund priority area.
5. Verification will be required through two references, registration documents (if available), and ID from two representatives.
6. Groups must be based in one of the eligible countries.
7. If all members are under 18, parental or guardian consent is required under safeguarding rules.
8. In Chad and Senegal, only projects that address education changes for girls and young women are eligible.
9. Countries eligible are Togo, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Central African Republic, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Senegal.

The deadline for applications is September 8, 2025.

How to apply:

Interested applicants can apply by completing the eligibility form available Here. Those unable to apply online due to disability or lack of internet access are advised to contact equalityaccelerator@plan-international.org for assistance.

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FG Lists 11 Federal Hospitals with N12,000 Subsidised Dialysis

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FG Lists 11 Federal Hospitals with N12,000 Subsidised Dialysis

August 20, 2025 – The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has clarified reports that patients in the Northwest are excluded from the Federal Government’s subsidised dialysis programme, describing the claim as false.

In a statement, the Ministry said the programme is a landmark intervention by the Federal Government aimed at saving lives and reducing both physical and financial suffering of Nigerians living with kidney-related diseases.

According to the Ministry, “This information is incorrect. The subsidy scheme applies nationwide, including the Northwest region.”

The scheme, approved under the Renewed Hope Agenda, reduces the cost of dialysis sessions in Federal hospitals from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000.

This represents a major relief for patients and their families struggling with high medical bills.

The pilot phase of the programme is already running in eleven Federal Tertiary Health Institutions across the six geo-political zones. The list includes:
1. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
2. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
3. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital
4. University of Jos Teaching Hospital
5. National Hospital, Abuja
6. Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta
7. University College Hospital, Ibadan
8. University of Benin Teaching Hospital
9. Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa
10. Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri
11. Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki

The Ministry stressed that the Northwest has not been excluded and noted that the initiative will be expanded to cover more Federal hospitals across the country in due course.

“No Nigerian will be left behind in accessing life-saving dialysis services,” the statement added.

This intervention highlights the government’s commitment to universal health coverage, kidney disease treatment, and the reduction of non-communicable diseases. By cutting the dialysis cost drastically, the Federal Government says it is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians.

FAO, FG Launch 2025 Nigeria Food and Agriculture Policy Review

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FAO, FG Launch 2025 Nigeria Food and Agriculture Policy Review

The Food and Agriculture Organisation, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has officially inaugurated the 2025 Nigeria Food and Agriculture Policy Monitoring Review.

The initiative, which was announced in Abuja on Wednesday, is designed to guide evidence-based agricultural transformation under the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy.

In a statement jointly signed by Chukwuka Nwachukwu, communication expert, FAO Nigeria; Kev Castillo, programme development, partnerships and communications lead, FAO; and David Tsokar, communications specialist, FAO Nigeria, the policy review was described as a key step for the country’s agriculture sector.

ccording to the officials, the PMR was developed with technical support from FAO’s Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies programme and offers a comprehensive analysis of public expenditure and commodity price incentives across multiple years.

“This offers critical insights to inform policy implementation and investment planning,” the statement said.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stressed the importance of the review in improving food production and boosting the economy.

He noted that credible research results would help guide the government’s spending priorities and resource allocation. He explained that the timing of the launch was significant, coming as the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning was preparing the 2026 budget proposal.

“We must secure our future through food security; increasing yields and improving nutrition are central to our agenda. The MAFAP analysis provides policymakers and development partners with a clear direction for targeted investment and impactful reforms,” Mr Kyari stated.

Hussein Gadain, FAO representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between the organisation and the Nigerian government.

“The landmark policy review reflects our shared commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The PMR highlights key trends and challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural policy landscape,” he said.

Mr Gadain also urged for higher financial commitment to the agriculture sector. “While nominal agricultural spending increased between 2015 and 2021, it remained at just two per cent of federal expenditure, far below the 10 per cent commitment outlined in the 2025 Kampala Declaration,” he added.

NSUK, OPay Sign MoU for Scholarship and Cybersecurity

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NSUK, OPay Sign MoU for Scholarship and Cybersecurity

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has taken a major step to enhance student support by entering into a partnership with OPay Digital Services. The collaboration was officially launched on Monday, August 18, 2025, during a meeting held at the NSUK Council Chamber.

The Chief Security Officer of OPay Digital Services, Dr. Vandefan James, who is also an alumnus of the institution, expressed his gratitude to the university for its dedication to education and societal growth.

According to him, “NSUK is one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria, and OPay is proud to work with its management to strengthen areas such as cybersecurity, scholarships, and knowledge exchange to promote growth and development.”

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Maikano Muhammad Ari, commended OPay for its remarkable contributions to the fintech industry. He praised Dr. Vandefan James for showing strong interest in giving back to his alma mater, describing the initiative as a milestone that will open doors for students to benefit academically and professionally.

Professor Ari emphasized that the university remains committed to ensuring that the partnership thrives for the benefit of students.

The event was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NSUK and OPay Digital Services. As part of the occasion, a scholarship cheque was presented to the university management, demonstrating OPay’s immediate investment in the collaboration.

In a statement, OPay reaffirmed its long-term dedication to supporting education in Nigeria. The company said, “We believe every young Nigerian deserves the chance to dream big and achieve more. That’s why OPay is proud to partner with Nasarawa State University, Keffi, through our CSR education program. This initiative goes beyond a one-time gesture. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to support education and create opportunities that last. A big thank you to the university community for welcoming us with open arms. Together, we’re empowering futures.”

SBS Movement Holds Capacity-Building Workshop for Otukpo Women

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SBS Movement Holds Capacity-Building Workshop for Otukpo Women

20th August 2025 – The Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice has announced that it will hold a capacity-building training for women’s groups in Otukpo, Benue State, beginning on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

The initiative, which is part of the SBS Scale-Up Project supported by the Ford Foundation, will focus on leadership, entrepreneurship development, and strengthening systems to identify early warning signs of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

According to a statement from the project focal person, Mr. Nyong Essien, “the workshop will bring together women leaders from grassroots organizations, equipping them with practical skills to strengthen their leadership capacity, enhance economic empowerment, and contribute to community-led prevention of SGBV.”

He noted that women play a vital role in promoting gender justice and building safer communities. The program is designed to ensure that more women gain the knowledge and resources needed to improve their participation in decision-making and community development.

The SBS Movement explained that this initiative is part of its broader strategy to empower faith-based, traditional, and community structures across Benue and Kano States. The goal is to prevent and respond effectively to SGBV while advancing gender equality.

Citizens have also been encouraged to follow the training online through Centre LSD’s official social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

The Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice is recognized as a global faith movement dedicated to ending gender injustice.

In Nigeria, the organization continues to expand its work in Benue and Kano States to strengthen institutional and community responses, while also promoting economic empowerment and safe environments.

Apply: Kwara State Residents Registration Agency KWASRRA Recruitment

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Apply: Kwara State Residents Registration Agency KWASRRA Recruitment

August 20, 2025 – Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA) has announced a massive recruitment exercise to fill the role of Data Capturing Officers (DCOS).

The announcement was made public as part of efforts to improve residents’ registration in the state.

This recruitment is part of our commitment to strengthen the state’s database and ensure accurate residents’ registration across all communities.

According to the agency, the job description for the role includes:
a. Mobile registration of residents.
b. Forward report of registration to the Data Capturing Supervisors (DCSs) as may be directed by the Agency.
c. Any other duties as may be assigned by the Agency/superior officers (DCSs).

Eligibility requirements:

Speaking on the requirements, the agency noted that eligible applicants must meet the following conditions:
1. Applicant must possess a minimum of either Diploma, NCE, HND, Degree or its equivalent.
2. Computer Literacy
3. Must be mentally and physical fit.

The application window will open on Friday 22nd August, 2025 and will close on Tuesday 26th August, 2025.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are expected to apply directly by sending their application and CV to:
The General Manager,
Kwara State Residents Registration Agency,
Harmony Hub Building, Fate Road,
Ilorin.

Niger State Secures $100m Saudi Livestock Export Deal

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Niger State Secures $100m Saudi Livestock Export Deal

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced a major export deal between the state government and Saudi Arabia valued at $100 million.

The agreement was revealed on Tuesday during the Firstbank Agric and Expo 2025, where the governor described it as a significant step in strengthening non-oil export opportunities in Nigeria.

According to the governor, the deal will begin with a first tranche of $10 million from Saudi authorities to Niger State. He said the agreement will not only support the state’s economy but also position it as an important contributor to the livestock supply chain.

Bago explained, “This is incredible. The Saudi government has given us an offtake agreement for $100 million. They’ve asked the Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM) to come in, and we’re starting with the first $10 million.”

The livestock export deal is expected to open new doors for economic growth, particularly at a time when global demand for meat and animal by-products is rising. Experts have noted that increasing geopolitical and environmental challenges in the Sahel and Sudan have created higher demand across the Middle East.

Bago pointed out that this presents a $2.5 billion annual opportunity for Nigeria and neighbouring countries. He added, “This is not just about meat. The tripe, blood, skin, hooves, every part of the animal has value. We’re building the entire ecosystem.”

At the event, Firstbank CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu, also highlighted the importance of the development for Nigeria’s economy. He emphasized the need to embrace diversification beyond crude oil, describing agriculture as a sector with high potential for growth.

Alebiosu said, “As a nation, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our economic journey, one that demands bold diversification beyond oil and the harnessing of the vast opportunities in our non-oil sectors.”

He further explained that the renaming of the event to FirstBank Agric & Export Expo was a strategic move that reflects the bank’s commitment to boosting Nigeria’s non-oil exports and making agriculture a key driver of economic transformation.

FG Begins South-South Campaign on Tinubu’s 2-Year Achievements

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FG Begins South-South Campaign on Tinubu’s 2-Year Achievements

The Federal Government has launched a sensitisation campaign in Port Harcourt to showcase the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the last two years.

The exercise, themed “Tinubu Administration’s Mid-Term Report,” was inaugurated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who was represented by Mr Gabriel Obokuru, Head of the Federal Information Centre, Port Harcourt.

Idris explained that the campaign was designed to update Nigerians in the South-South region about government policies and programmes directly impacting their states. He noted that significant investments had been made in the region, particularly in Edo and Delta States, as well as in other areas.

“The President Tinubu-led administration has really touched many areas in the South-South zone with various programmes and projects, notably in Edo and Delta States as well as in other states.

The administration has initiated and completed some programmes to address the people’s needs in the past two years, with others still in progress,” he said.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) programme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said had supported thousands of citizens. According to him, the sensitisation campaign was also meant to encourage citizens to engage with government projects constructively.

“We are also using this workshop to educate citizens on how they can support government plans in their respective states, constituencies, and localities, rather than only criticizing government,” he added.

Dr Helen Nsirim, Information and Public Relations Officer in the ministry, further outlined the Federal Government’s achievements in the region. She said that under the LIFE-ND programme, N500 million was disbursed to 1,797 farmers in Edo State to boost agribusiness. The programme, she explained, is also running in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers States.

“The programme is jointly financed by the International Fund for Agriculture Development, the Federal Government, and the Niger Delta Development Commission. Youths, women-headed households, and persons with disabilities are trained and equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to thrive in the agricultural sector,” Nsirim said.

She also mentioned other government initiatives, including the Student Loan Scheme, the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, and the Bank of Industry’s low-interest loans for micro-enterprises. She disclosed that work had begun on the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which will pass through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.

“In just two years, the Tinubu-led administration has delivered tangible infrastructure improvements, as well as reforms that have touched lives in the South-South region. Residents should take advantage of the opportunity to register for cash transfer scheme, the housing scheme, and the student loan scheme, among others. These are not just programmes but opportunities to transform our lives and our communities,” she said.

The sensitisation event also featured a panel session on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, focusing on beneficiaries in Rivers State. Prof. Sunny Orike, Head ICT and Desk Officer of NELFUND at the Rivers State University, noted concerns about the low number of students applying for the facility.

He stressed that the loan was designed for all Nigerian students in federal and state-owned universities, excluding private institutions. “It is for students in both federal and state-owned tertiary institutions, except for private universities. Interested students can apply for the loan by visiting the NELFUND website: nelf.gov.ng and completing the online application form,” Orike said.

He further explained that the loan is interest-free and repayment is only expected to begin two years after a beneficiary graduates and secures employment.

He encouraged more students to take advantage of the opportunity, describing it as a practical step to make higher education more accessible across the country.

Bayelsa to Mark Entrepreneurs Day 2025 with Douye Diri Beneficiaries

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Bayelsa to Mark Entrepreneurs Day 2025 with Douye Diri Beneficiaries

Bayelsa State will tomorrow, Thursday August 21, 2025, join the rest of the world to mark World Entrepreneurs Day, 2025, with an event that will feature beneficiaries of the Douye Diri skill acquisition scheme.

Hundreds of beneficiaries of the programme have disclosed plans to showcase their innovations and successes recorded as graduands of the state-backed initiative.

The gathering is scheduled to take place at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Yenagoa.

In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs. Charity Kens Godwin, explained that the event is designed to highlight the contribution of entrepreneurs to the growth of the Bayelsa economy.

“The celebration will also showcase the fact that entrepreneurs are the backbone of the state economy,” she said.

Mrs. Godwin further noted that the occasion is set to honor resilience, innovation, and the impact of young business owners on the state’s development. She emphasized that under the present prosperity administration, entrepreneurship has thrived, creating opportunities and strengthening human capital development.

She added that invitees to the programme include Visioners, Innovators, Business leaders, and successful students of the Douye Diri skill acquisition scheme.

AFIT Kaduna Extends Direct Entry Registration Deadline

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AFIT Kaduna Extends Direct Entry Registration Deadline

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Kaduna has announced an extension of the Direct Entry (DE) registration deadline.

According to a statement released, “This is to inform all Direct Entry (DE) applicants that the application for DE admission is still ongoing and the deadline for registration is 8 September 2025.”

Candidates are strongly advised to complete their registration and upload all required documents before the closing date at https://afit.edu.ng, signed by BI Okon, Wing Commander.

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