August 6, 2025 – The National Youth Service Corps has announced its support for the Credit Card Initiative of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, aimed at improving access to financial services for Corps Members.

Recall that CREDICORP recently unveiled the YouthCred NYSC Loan scheme.

This was disclosed by the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.

General Nafiu explained that the initiative would boost the efficiency and safety of online financial transactions for Corps Members and Nigerians in general. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the concept of credit finance, stating that it would play a significant role in strengthening the national economy.

According to him, “It is safe to buy with your credit card because of its attendant benefits. We are going to support you to have access to the Corps Members in order to create enlightenment and advocacy.”

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, Mr Uzoma Nwagba, described partnership with the NYSC as the best approach to educate young Nigerians on credit re-orientation.

He revealed that the initiative, known as youthcred, is a consumer credit package tailored for Corps Members. It will focus on teaching them good credit habits, building a strong credit history, planning finances effectively, and borrowing responsibly.

Nwagba noted that the Credit Corps programme, targeting over 100,000 beneficiaries, will give Corps Members access to consumer credit to purchase goods and services, start micro-enterprises, and utilise their SAED-acquired skills. He emphasised the need to promote a strong credit culture and proper utilisation of credit.

He further explained that through its collaboration with NYSC, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation aims to reach about 400,000 Corps Members every year. The project is expected to help Nigerians achieve a higher standard of living.

“Our first target for this is Nine Billion Naira (N9bn) and it will continue to grow as many people have access to the credit. For a start, they will be getting a loan range of around Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) and the offer goes beyond the service year,” Nwagba stated.

August 6, 2025 – Former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are speaking out over unpaid arrears linked to the 2024 national minimum wage adjustment.

Many have taken to social media platforms such as Facebook to write the NYSC Director General directly, posting open letters with subjects like “Appeal for Payment of NYSC Arrears Arising from the Implementation of the New Minimum Wage.”

According to the ex-corps members, they received a one-time payment of ₦44,000 in the past two months but have not seen any further disbursement.

One former corps member wrote, “Could you please provide information on the status of our 44k arrears?” Others raised the same concern, urging the government to provide a clear update.

A letter from one former corps member stated, “I served under the National Youth Service Corps scheme in Gombe State, February 15, 2024, to February 14, 2025. During my service year, the Federal Government of Nigeria reached an agreement with organized labour to increase the national minimum wage to ₦70,000 from ₦30,000.”

This new wage structure was implemented in July 29, 2024, which would raise corps members’ allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000.”

The open letter further explained that while corps members were considered government workers, they had only received part of the expected increase. “While a payment of ₦44,000 was made over the past two months, the outstanding balance still remains unpaid,” the ex-corps member said.

The affected batches are appealing for the Federal Government’s immediate intervention, citing the current economic hardship, inflation, and rising cost of living as major challenges. “It is extremely difficult for us to sustain our basic daily needs without this rightful entitlement,” one letter read.

They also expressed trust in the government’s commitment to justice and youth empowerment, hoping that their appeal would receive prompt attention. “We trust in the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and youth empowerment and hope this appeal will receive favorable attention and prompt resolution,” a letter concluded.

There are unconfirmed reports circulating that ex-corps members should expect their arrears by the end of the month of August. However, the NYSC has not issued any official statement to confirm this. What remains clear is that the NYSC arrears payment process has not yet been concluded.

The Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, under the leadership of Hon. John C. Ogbodo, has called on residents to take advantage of the National Directorate of Employment’s vocational and entrepreneurial skills program.

The initiative, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, aims to train citizens in various skill areas to reduce unemployment, promote self-reliance, and strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Speaking on the program, Hon. Ogbodo urged residents to “massively enroll as beneficiaries” and highlighted that the exercise is part of the government’s strategy to create more entrepreneurs in the region.

The registration exercise will span two days at the Nkanu West Local Government Headquarters from 9:00 AM daily.

Mode of registration:
i. Day 1: Thursday, August 7, 2025 – Wards: Akegbe Ugwu 1, Akegbe Ugwu 2, Agbani, Akpugo 2, Amurri, Umueze and Ozalla.
ii. Day 2: Friday, August 8, 2025 – Wards: Obuoffia, Akpugo 1, Akpugo 3, Akpugo 4, Akpugo 5, Amodu and Obe.

Requirements:
i. Age: 18 – 40 Years
ii. Educational Qualification (with dates); NYSC Year (if any); NIN; Functional Email; Phone Number; Ward & Residential Address.

Residents are encouraged to prepare the required documents ahead of the registration to ensure smooth processing. The program is expected to improve youth employment opportunities, boost small business growth, and foster economic empowerment in the area.

Prince Barr. Onochie Igwesi, Secretary of Nkanu West LG, stressed that “all Presidents General and Councilors are expected to drive this message to their various communities and wards” to ensure maximum participation.

Enugu State has launched the Sustainable Food Distribution Program to support less privileged families across the state. The program was officially flagged off on August 5, 2025, at the Enugu State Conference Center by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government.

According to Onyia, the initiative will ensure that selected families receive food supplies for an entire year, strengthening food security and reducing hunger.

In Enugu East Local Government Area, Engr. Pst Beloved-Dan Obi Anike, Executive Chairman, sponsored 24 families from 12 wards to benefit from the program. The First Lady of Enugu East LGA attended the ceremony on behalf of the Executive Chairman, who was recognized with an Award of Excellence as an SDGs Ambassador.

“This program is a clear sign of our government’s dedication to improving the lives of our people,” the First Lady said, commending Governor Peter Mbah and the Executive Chairman for prioritizing the welfare of vulnerable citizens.

Beneficiaries expressed joy after receiving palliative food items, stating that the support would ease the financial burden on their families. The government emphasized that the initiative is part of its broader strategy to achieve sustainable development and eradicate hunger across communities.