Youth Ministry, National Defence College Launch Bold Leadership Drive for Nigerian Youth

Maryam Aminu

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has teamed up with the National Defence College to chart a new course for youth leadership in Nigeria, unveiling a high-level conference aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the values, skills, and resilience needed to lead the nation into the future.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, declared the event open, describing it as “a bold step towards shaping the leadership architecture of our beloved country.” With youths making up over 70% of Nigeria’s population, the President stressed that the future of the nation already rests in their hands.

“The Nigeria we desire tomorrow depends on the leadership we build today,” Tinubu affirmed, while urging young participants to embrace values-based leadership and actively engage in tackling pressing global challenges such as cybersecurity, climate change, food security, and innovation.

First from left is Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande representing President Bola Tinubu, at Middle is Rear Admiral Jo Okosun, NDC Commandant, right is Zamfara State Governor, Mallam Dauda Lawal at the Conference in Abuja

The Minister of Youth Development, through his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abdullahi Mohamed, emphasized that Nigeria’s true wealth lies not in oil or gas but in the “vibrant energy and potential of our youth.”

He described the partnership with the National Defence College as both timely and vital in preparing a generation of disciplined, creative, and courageous leaders.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Mohammed Jalo, reaffirmed parliament’s commitment to youth empowerment, while the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Jo Okosun, underscored that “the strength of a country lies in its youth, and by investing in them, the future of Nigeria is safe in their hands.”

The conference has drawn young leaders, policymakers, and experts from across the country, offering a platform to exchange ideas, build networks, and craft strategies to secure Nigeria’s future through empowered youth leadership.

FRC, NIPSS Applaud MDAs at Fiscal Transparency Training, Push for Stronger Compliance

Maryam Aminu

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), in partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and ThinkBig Consulting Limited, has wrapped up a high-level training program aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The week-long programme, themed “Strategies for Increased Fiscal Efficiency, Enhanced Government Revenue and Plugging Leakages in Nigerian Financial System,” brought together participants from across MDAs to explore reforms for improved financial management.

Speaking at the closing session, FRC Chairman, Victor Muruako, Esq., represented by his Special Adviser, Dr. Chris Uwadoka, commended the quality of engagement during the training, describing it as “high-impact and insightful.”

He urged MDAs to begin early preparations for annual audited financial statements and adhere strictly to the Commission’s remittance templates for Operating Surplus, stressing the need to entrench a culture of financial prudence.

Dr. Solomon Titus Gushibet, Senior Fellow and Operating Officer at the Centre for Financial Economics, NIPSS, who coordinated the training, said participants displayed exemplary commitment.

He confirmed that all attendees met the requirements for certification, noting that the nine thematic areas covered will aid reforms in public finance management.

Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the NIPSS Director-General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, Prof. Jane Omotayo Aane underscored the importance of strengthening public procurement processes. She decried cases of MDAs failing to meet contractual obligations, which she described as “an abuse of office,” and called on the FRC to step up oversight in procurement matters.

She assured participants of NIPSS’s continued partnership in building institutional reforms while urging them to implement the knowledge gained.

The training, observers noted, represents a critical step in advancing Nigeria’s fiscal responsibility framework, particularly at a time when the country is grappling with economic challenges.

Press release: CEDF Launches Phase 2 Loans for Nigerian Creatives And Entrepreneurs, See how to apply

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy has officially launched Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF).
This is a bold national initiative designed to accelerate Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries by providing access to finance, skills, and market opportunities.

Building on the success of Phase 1, which saw thousands of Nigerian creatives and entrepreneurs apply for support, Phase 2 expands both the scope and scale of the Fund. This phase is specifically targeted at businesses and enterprises seeking to unlock growth, scale innovation, and create sustainable jobs in Nigeria’s creative economy.

The CEDF sits at the heart of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, providing the financial backbone for transforming the country’s creative assets into engines of inclusive economic growth. Phase 2 introduces a streamlined application process through the official portal . The platform now features an intuitive and simplified new interface, ensuring that applicants can easily navigate funding opportunities, submit proposals, and track their application status without unnecessary hurdles. Beyond funding access, the portal provides real-time updates, resource materials, and a transparent process to strengthen trust and accountability.

This Phase 2 Call prioritizes proposals from businesses seeking funding of up to $100,000. The Fund is open across multiple creative sub-sectors, reflecting the diversity of Nigeria’s creative economy, including Film, Television, and Animation, Gaming, XR, and Interactive Media, Music and Entertainment, Literature and Publishing, Visual Arts and Crafts, Fashion and Design, Culinary Arts and Gastronomy, Tourism, Heritage, and Cultural Experiences, ensuring that no subsector is left behind in Nigeria’s creative renaissance.

Phase 2 is designed to fuel innovation, create jobs, strengthen SMEs and MSMEs, drive exports, and institutionalize growth through digital tracking and reporting tools. The Fund aims to support businesses that leverage creativity and technology to deliver new cultural products and services, expand the employment base of the creative economy, provide financial lifelines to entrepreneurs, position Nigerian creative content and cultural goods as competitive exports, and embed mechanisms for monitoring, accountability, and sustainability.

The launch of Phase 2 of the CEDF marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s creative economy development, and the Ministry encourages all eligible businesses and enterprises to apply for funding and support.
Apply through the official portal http://www.cedf.gov.ng.

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE, Ph.D.
SA MEDIA & PUBLICITY
FMACCE/PS/ 119
24-08-2025

RMAFC Investment Committee Engages NBET on Power Sector Debt, Revenue Allocation

Maryam Aminu

The Investment Committee of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has opened fresh talks with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET) as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and boost revenue management in Nigeria’s power sector.

Led by Hon. Ekene Enefe, Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, the committee paid a courtesy visit to NBET headquarters in Abuja, underscoring its constitutional mandate to demand and obtain critical information from both government and private sector operators.

Hon. Enefe noted that the engagement was triggered by concerns raised during a recent session with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), where NBET’s indebtedness was flagged.

“Since government intervention in the power sector is ongoing, RMAFC is reviewing the revenue allocation formula to guarantee adequate funding of critical projects, particularly infrastructure,” he explained.

Officials from RMAFC and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC NBET, during the courtesy visit.

In response, NBET’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Johnson Akinnawo, described NBET as a “special trader” in Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). He emphasized that NBET acts as a stabilizer in the sector purchasing power from GenCos and selling to DisCos while ensuring investor confidence through structured contracts.

On the debt issue, Akinnawo clarified that debt recovery is shared among agencies, with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) playing key monitoring roles.

He, however, assured RMAFC that NBET would provide a detailed list of indebted GenCos and facilitate broader stakeholder discussions to address the challenge.

L-R: Hon. Commissioner representing Yobe, Hon. Madu Aji Juluri; Managing Director, CEO. NBET Mr. Johnson Akinnawo; Chairman Investment Committee and Commissioner representing Anambra, Hon. Ekene Enefe and the Secretary Investment Committee, Mr. Peter Iyambri, during the visit to the NBET office.

FG, SEC Partner to Open Capital Market Opportunities for Nigerian Youth

Maryam Aminu

The Federal Government has taken a bold step to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth by signing a landmark partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promote financial innovation and inclusion.

At the MoU signing ceremony on Thursday, August 21, 2025, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative is aimed at breaking barriers that have long excluded young people from the nation’s capital market.

“For too long, the capital market has been seen as a space reserved for the wealthy. Today, we are saying clearly that Nigerian youth deserve access too,” Olawande declared. “We want to empower them not just to seek jobs, but to create them to become entrepreneurs, investors, and employers of labour.”

Central to the plan is the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), a platform that will deliver financial education and practical skills to young people across the country, regardless of background or location.

The Minister emphasized that government-private sector collaboration will be key to ensuring no youth is left behind.

“Our goal is to raise a generation of financially savvy, empowered young Nigerians who will shape the future prosperity of this nation,” he said.

Pictorial Story: Right to Left – The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Olubunmi Olusanya, during the MoU signing event.

SEC Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, praised the initiative, commending Olawande’s youthful and action-driven approach to governance.

He pledged SEC’s full support in providing young Nigerians with access to funding, investment opportunities, and financial literacy.

“This partnership marks the beginning of a meaningful legacy,” Dr. Agama said. “Together, we will ensure sustainable socio-economic impact and long-term national prosperity.”

The collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Development and SEC is expected to unlock new pathways for entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial independence among Nigeria’s youth population.

L–R: The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, and the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, displaying the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership aims to empower Nigerian youth with access to financial education, investment opportunities, and the capital market as part of broader initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

RMAFC Kicks Off Strategic Retreat in Kano to Review Pay Packages for Political, Public, Judicial Office Holders……

Maryam Aminu

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has begun a high-level retreat in Kano to harmonise reports and review remuneration packages for political, public, and judicial office holders across Nigeria.

Declaring the retreat open, Chairman of the Remuneration and Monetisation Committee, Hon. Mohammed Kabeer Usman also Federal Commissioner representing Gombe State stressed that the exercise is crucial to strengthening the nation’s governance framework.

He reminded participants that the 1999 Constitution empowers the Commission to determine appropriate remuneration for office holders, noting that the review process would reflect current economic realities while ensuring sustainability and fairness.

“The Commission has carefully considered memoranda from stakeholders, public hearings, ministerial submissions, and international best practices. This review is not just about figures but also about sustainability and affordability,” Usman said.

He disclosed that the Committee was mandated to harmonise its earlier report and addendum into a single comprehensive document to guide implementation.

A cross section of RMAFC Commissioners at the Retreat in Kano

The retreat, he added, must produce outcomes that are balanced and beneficial to the country, urging members to leverage their experience for the task ahead.

In attendance were RMAFC Federal Commissioners, including Hon. Adamu Fanda (Kano), Hon. Henry Nduka Awuregu, Hon. Aruviere Egharhevwa (Delta), Hon. Hassan Usman Mahmud (Kaduna), Hon. Hauwa Umar Aliyu (Jigawa), Prof. Steve Davies Ugbah (Benue), Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King (Kogi), Hon. Aliyu A. Abdulkadir (Nassarawa), and Hon. Nathaniel Adojutelegan (Ondo).

Also present was the Committee Secretary and Director of Fiscal Efficiency, Dr. Tanimu Adamu Aliyu, alongside other supporting staff.

The retreat is expected to produce a sustainable framework that will guide future remuneration for political, public, and judicial office holders nationwide.

NIEE Abuja Chapter, NIHSA Move to Strengthen Flood, Water Management Collaboration

By Maryam Aminu

The Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE), Abuja Chapter, has expressed readiness to partner with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in tackling flooding, improving water resource management, and advancing climate resilience initiatives across the country.

This was disclosed during a courtesy visit to NIHSA headquarters in Abuja, where the NIEE Chairman, Engr. Uche Patrick-Obikile FNSE, led a delegation to seek deeper collaboration with the agency.

Commending NIHSA’s role in generating accurate hydrological data, Engr. Uche Patrick described the agency as “the backbone of effective environmental engineering solutions.”

She emphasized that NIEE’s engineering expertise could complement NIHSA’s work through projects such as sustainable groundwater management, flood risk awareness in vulnerable communities, joint technical workshops, and climate change sensitization programmes.

The NIEE chairman also solicited NIHSA’s support for the body’s upcoming programmes, including the Valerie Agberagba Clean Renewable Energy Efficiency School Competition (VACREES), tree-planting campaigns, youth-focused capacity-building engagements, and annual environmental awards.

L-R:NIEE Chairman, Engr. Uche Patrick-Obikile FNSE and NIHSA’s Director General, Arch Umar Ibrahim Mohammed

In his response, NIHSA’s Director General, Arch Umar Ibrahim Mohammed commended the initiative, affirming NIEE’s role as a key stakeholder in environmental sustainability.

He noted that the agency was open to structured partnerships in the highlighted areas, stressing that such collaboration would boost Nigeria’s capacity to mitigate water-related hazards and promote sustainable water resource planning.

He further assured NIEE of NIHSA’s willingness to explore ways of supporting its flagship programmes, describing the courtesy visit as “the beginning of a productive and enduring collaboration” aimed at building resilient communities and ensuring a water-secure future for Nigeria.

Nigerian-Italy Investment Summit moves to Italy with Rome Business Forum, Aims to Attract Foreign Investment

Maryam Aminu

Giant Gee Nigeria Ltd with its institutional partners is set to host the Rome Business Forum from November 12th to 13th, 2025, in Rome, Italy. The forum, themed “Sustainable Growth Strategies Beyond Boundaries,” aims to deepen bilateral partnerships, showcase Nigeria’s potential, and attract targeted investments into priority sectors of the Nigerian economy.

This much was disclosed by the chief organizer of the event, Ambassador Augustine Chigbolu who is the Managing Director of Giant Gee Nigeria Ltd while speaking with our correspondent in Abuja.

He noted that the event is a follow-up to the successful Nigeria-Italy Investment Summit held in Abuja in May 2025. The Rome Business Forum will focus on high-growth sectors such as agriculture, information technology, fashion, and clean energy, with a view to promoting investment opportunities and partnerships between Nigeria and Italy.

The forum will also feature discussions on cybersecurity, private guard surveillance, kidnapping response, and legal management of security matters, among other targeted areas. Experts from relevant government and private agencies are expected to engage with their counterparts on these issues.

The event is expected to boost foreign direct investment, foster job creation, enable technology transfer, and enhance industrial competitiveness in Nigeria. It will also promote the visibility of Nigeria’s business environment in Europe and reinforce the country’s Economic Diplomacy agenda.

The Rome Business Forum 2025 presents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to attract sustainable foreign direct investment and deepen commercial ties with Italy and Europe.

Away from the business summit, Ambassador Augustine Chigbolu who also doubled as the 1st vice president of the Nigeria Archery Federation also briefed our correspondent about the upcoming programs of the Federation revealing that they are currently preparing to participate at the forthcoming International African Archery Championship scheduled to hold in Abidjan, capital city of Cote D’Ivoire.

“Our Federation has been working behind the scenes to prepare our Archers to enable them participate at major International championships and we consider this Abidjan championship as a very good opportunity for them,” Ambassador Chigbolu stated.

FG Launches Youth-Led Circular Economy Drive to Create Jobs, Tackle Climate Change

Maryam Aminu

The Federal Government has unveiled a bold new programme to put young Nigerians at the centre of climate action and job creation through the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative (CEYEI).

Launched in Abuja by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, the initiative developed in partnership with SAMU Technology and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN) aims to turn waste into wealth while building a greener, more inclusive economy.

“This goes beyond job creation. We are raising a new generation of Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and nation-builders,” Olawande said, describing CEYEI as a landmark achievement under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

At the heart of the programme is the Waste to Wealth Project, which will provide young people with skills training, mentorship, and access to green technologies to transform discarded materials into eco-friendly products. A dedicated online platform has also been launched to connect youth with markets, investors, and innovation opportunities at home and abroad.

The Ministry also highlighted other youth-focused reforms, including:

Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA): a hub for youth protection and capacity-building.

Digital literacy training in partnership with NITDA.

YO! Health: a new mental health and wellness hub.

Youth Cred Scheme: a loan access programme with Credit Core, paving the way for a Youth Bank, MSME Incubator, and National Innovation Hub.

Ongoing NYSC reforms tailored to Gen Z and Millennials.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, delivering his Welcome address at the launch of the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative (CEYEI).

In his remarks, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, stressed that with over 3 million Nigerians affected by humanitarian crises and a $36 billion global funding gap, CEYEI is a lifeline for youth-led innovations that can cut poverty and build resilience.

Permanent Secretary Olubunmi Olusanya said the initiative is about harnessing “the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian youth,” while Blessing Ekwere, speaking for RAN, hailed it as proof that young people are not just beneficiaries of development but drivers of real change.

With nationwide coverage across all 36 states and 774 LGAs, CEYEI is set to place Nigeria’s youth at the heart of the circular economy recycling, reusing, and reimagining waste into opportunity.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, management staff, and partners, in a group photograph at the unveiling of the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative (CEYEI).

RMAFC Flags Off Review of Nigeria’s Revenue Allocation Formula

Maryam Aminu

For the first time in more than three decades, Nigeria has begun the journey toward a new revenue allocation formula, as the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on Monday officially set in motion a comprehensive review of how the nation’s wealth is shared among the federal, state, and local governments.

Declaring the process open at a press conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu,
described the exercise as “a constitutional duty and a national imperative,” stressing that the formula must reflect today’s socio-economic realities, rather than the outdated structures of the 1990s.

“The last review was in 1992, and since then, Nigeria has changed significantly demographically, economically, and constitutionally,” Shehu said.

“Recent amendments devolving key responsibilities like electricity, railways, and correctional services to states have placed additional financial and administrative burdens on subnational governments. This makes a fresh review of the revenue allocation formula inevitable.”

He explained that the goal of the review is to develop “a fair, just, and equitable formula” that empowers all three tiers of government to deliver effectively on their constitutional roles while promoting equity and sustainability.

The Commission pledged that the review process would be inclusive, evidence-based, and transparent, involving inputs from the Presidency, National Assembly, governors, ALGON, the judiciary, ministries, civil society, private sector players, traditional rulers, and development partners.

Federal Commissioner and Chairman of the Revenue Formula Committee, Kabir Muhammad Mashi, also reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to deliver an impactful outcome.

He disclosed that although RMAFC had earlier produced a report in 2022, it was overtaken by constitutional amendments in 2023 that shifted responsibilities among the tiers of government.

“Hence, the need for a fresh review of the revenue allocation formula in its entirety to reflect the current socio-economic challenges in the country, as well as the new economic policies of the present administration,” Mashi explained.

He described the initiative as a defining moment in Nigeria’s fiscal federalism and intergovernmental relations, adding that the committee is expected to submit its final report by December 2025.