Why Some Applicants That Applied For The Federal Government Grant Will Not Receive The Federal Government Grant

Some applicants that applied for the federal government grant may not receive the federal government grant, reasons below:

As a result of budget limitations, the Federal Government of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, and Ministry for Industry, Trade and Investment have said that only 1,000,000 applicants will become beneficiaries of the federal government grant. This implies that 2,600,000 applicants that applied for the federal government grant out of the 3,600,000 applicants that applied for the federal government grant will not receive the federal government grant.

As a result of this, applicants for the federal government grant might presume that federal government grant is not being processed. The Minster for Industry Trade and Investment Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite said that the federal government grant will be disbursed in phases and applicants yet to receive the federal government grant should remain patient.

Applicants for the federal government grant should be assured that the selection process is rigorous and transparent, and the federal government grant is being disbursed to the selected 1,000,000 beneficiaries.

The management in charge of the federal government grant disbursement is actively seeking for additional funding and exploring ways to expand the federal government grant so that more applicants can benefit from the federal government grant in future. The management of the federal government grant appreciates the patience and understanding of applicants towards these challenges.

Source: https://www.npowerdg.com/2024/06/why-some-fg-grant-applicants-will-not.html?m=1

SMEDAN Talent Empowerment Program 12 Month Paid-Placement Opportunity In A Private And Public Sector Institutions Across Nigeria

The Small Medium Enterprises Agency Of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sponsored programme National Jubilee Fellowship Program (NJFP) to empower Nigerian youths.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) was established by the SMEDAN Act of 2003 to promote the development of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector of the Nigeria Economy. The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) positions itself as a One Stop Shop for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development. Micro Enterprises are included in the clientele of the The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) since they form the bedrock for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's)

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) is a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative co-funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

As a talent incubator, the SMEDAN Talent Empowerment Program seeks to improve the employability of fresh graduates by connecting them to practical on-the-job skills through a twelve month paid-placement opportunity in private and public sector institutions across the country.

How To Apply For The SMEDAN Talent Empowerment Programme 

Interested applicants can apply for the SMEDAN Talent Empowerment Program through this link:

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmepuwM9eMFyM1RMBU38xmx_rVU-qBg3m7B2xzH-YOhYGwww/viewform

Applicants for the SMEDAN Talent Empowerment Programme are required to fill the form with the correct business information as forms with incorrect details will be rejected.

NITDA Launches 'Digital Literacy For All' Initiative

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is introducing the 'Digital Literacy for All' initiative, a pioneering effort aimed at bridging the digital divide, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's priority area to reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.

'Digital Literacy for All' initiative seeks to ensure that every Nigerian has access to digital literacy, ensuring no one is left behind in our rapidly evolving digital world.

This initiative launched by NITDA is strategically designed to propel Nigeria towards a mid term target of achieving 70% digital literacy level by 2027.

This programme by NITDA will equip individuals with the necessary tools to:

1) Access and utilise online resources for education, employment, and government services safely.

2) Protect themselves online from cyber threats and misinformation.

3) Communicate and collaborate effectively using digital tools.

4) Develop the digital fluency required for many in- demand jobs.

5) Consideration will be given to translating content to local languages to ensure accessibility and cater to diverse audiences across Nigeria.

To register for this 'Digital Literacy for All' initiative organized by NITDA applicants should visit https://dl4all.nitda.gov.ng

NITDA, In Conjunction With The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development And The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kick Start Initiative to Foster Digital Literacy

In a bid to implement its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) pillar of “Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talents,” the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has commenced a comprehensive initiative to enhance digital literacy across the federation.

The strategic partnership which was formalised at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Secretariat in Abuja, seeks to bridge the digital gap and empower the next generation to thrive in an increasingly digital world, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reform the economy and deliver sustained inclusive growth by leveraging digital literacy and cultivating a pool of tech-savvy individuals.

The initiative will concentrate on providing practical training in key areas such as software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.

This initiative organized by NITDA and NYSC aims to reach 30,000,000 of Nigerian youths, including NYSC members, with the goal of equipping them with skills necessary for the digital economy by 2027.

Speaking on the importance of digital literacy, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, stressed leveraging on technology to enhance productivity and digital skills.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE said, “We have set up the team working with your team to explore how you can infuse technology into the NYSC process, experiment emerging technologies like blockchain to secure NYSC certificates and build digital skills capacity among Corp Members. Today we are here on the bigger mission.”

The Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, received a complimentary plaque from the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General, Y.D. Ahmed during a courtesy visit to the the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Headquarters

The Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE cited global research which predicted 85,000,000 talent deficits by 2030, which could result in a loss of 8,500,000,000 US dollars in annual value if unaddressed. According to the Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, this initiative will not only enhance employability but also drive innovation and economic growth in Nigeria.

“We developed the National Digital Literacy Framework with an ambitious target of achieving 95% digital literacy by 2030, with a mid-term target of 70% by 2027. The framework promotes universal access to digital literacy, skills development at various proficiency levels, and workforce readiness for future digital demands,” the Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE added.

The Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE further detailed the implementation plan, which includes training National Youth Service Corp Members during their service year and using them as digital literacy ambassadors across Nigeria.

“Our target is how can we leverage your platform to deepen that digital literacy. The initiative will involve onboarding National Youth Service Corp Members on digital platforms, providing continuous learning opportunities, and selecting ambassadors to teach digital skills in their communities.

“We need to build a tailor-made solution that will address our challenges, harness indigenous talents to promote digital solutions, and this requires the collective efforts of the government, private sectors, and all stakeholders,” the Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, added.

On his part, the Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, praised the partnership, while stressing unity of purpose in achieving shared goals.

The Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom said, “I appreciate this collaboration because I believe we are one family and we are working towards the same goal. I also believe that if there is anything we can give, it is our commitment. Regardless of where you come from, as long as, at the end of the day, the Nigerian youth are in a better position from where they are coming from, that is what is important”

The Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom acknowledged the dedication and commitment of all involved and expressed gratitude towards the NYSC’s leadership, commitment and availability to the cause.

The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, in his response, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative and NYSC’s readiness to fully engage.

The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said, “This process for us in NYSC is a very good one, and there is no any iota of doubt we are going to fully collaborate with NITDA to grab the process,” the director of NYSC assured.

Source: https://techeconomy.ng/nitda-nysc-launch-initiative-to-boost-digital-literacy

Npower News Today Thursday June 13th 2024

It is exactly two more days to the deadline given by the Npower National Coordinator for Npower payment to beneficiaries of Npower batch c by the Federal Government of Nigeria and it seems the Presidency is yet to say anything about the payment of Npower batch c outstanding stipends. 

Recall that the Npower national coordinator in previous publications has said that once Npower payment is not made by June 15th then Npower batch c beneficiaries will stage a nationwide demonstration.

As the situation unfolds Npower batch c beneficiaries have been advised to exercise patience while they explore other federal government initiatives like the conditional cash transfer programme, the federal government loan and other government initiatives. Weeks ago the federal government rekindled the conditional cash transfer, a component of the National Social Investment Programmes but have left Npower batch c beneficiaries in the dark or rather in suspense. Npower batch c beneficiaries are being owed 9 to 12 months stipend, Betta Edu made only one payment when she assumed office but was suspended and investigated for misappropriation of public funds in the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and has since been removed from office and undergoing investigations. Reports have it online that until the investigations conducted by the anti-graft agency is concluded Npower cannot commence neither will Npower payment be made to Npower batch c beneficiaries. Npower batch c beneficiaries and even the house of representatives have told the federal government to expedite the investigation process so that Npower payment will be released but yet again the Presidency has turned deaf ears to this request. A commitee was set up to look into the payment of Npower batch c beneficiaries which was anchored by Mr Wale Edun but it seems as if the matter is just beyond him as nothing has been done by the committee. It seems as though the federal government is more interested in disbursement of loans and grants than Npower payment. In all these Npower batch c beneficiaries have written several letters to prominent figures using these figures as a channel to get to the Presidency but all the feedback received were mere promises with word of mouth and no action. 

As the situation progresses, Npower batch c beneficiaries are giving the Federal Government till June 15th to commence Npower payment otherwise a massive protest will commence. The federal government has pushed Npower beneficiaries beyond the wall.

Federal Government Grant News Update Today Thursday June 13th 2024

Observations from the federal government grant portal shows that Konshisha local government area leads with 1210 while Olorunsogo local government area is the lowest with 88, which this statistics it shows that the federal government grant disbursement has not fully captured all the local government area across the federation, the maximum has to be 1290 once all local government area gets to 1290 then 100% federal government grant is achieved, from the information gathered on the federal government grant portal most local government area are still struggling to get to 1290.

Recall that the Minster for Industry, Trade and Investment Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite said that after all individuals have received the federal government grant the names of the beneficiaries will be published online for transparency in the federal government grant disbursement process. We will continue to update applicants yet to receive the federal government grant on the status of their federal government grant application. Applicants in local government areas yet to reach the 1290 target are to exercise patience and check if they passed the NIN verification process and applied before the deadline, any application after the deadline and nin verification after the deadline will not be considered.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Will Publish Tertiary Institutions With Complete Data By June 24

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said it would publish the full list of tertiary institutions that have submitted their complete student data as requested by the agency for upload onto the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Student Verification System.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) on Thursday, said the list of institutions with complete data would be published on June 24, 2024.

This list of both Federal and State owned institutions will be published to ensure transparency and to encourage due access and participation in the student loan scheme, of both undergraduate applicants and tertiary institutions in this critical exercise, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) said in a statement by its Head of Media, Nasir Ayitogo.

‘It is commendable that many federal institutions have already completed the exercise has been the first wave, whilst the process of uploading the data to NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS) is currently ongoing for the state-owned institutions

‘For applicants to be able to access the fund, the individual’s details must feature in the institution’s submitted data set sent to the NELFUND SVS, where automatic applicant verification can then occur seamlessly.

‘Failure to have this verification would invalidate the application process and disadvantage applicants. It is therefore critical that the information provided by the tertiary institutions is not only complete but also accurate,” the Nigerian Education Loan Fund said.

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on April 3rd, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law.

The assent was sequel to the separate considerations by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

The executive bill titled, ‘A bill for an Act to repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023 and Enact the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2004 to Establish the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a body corporate to receive, manage and invest funds to provide loans to Nigerians for higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition and related matters,’ was signed in the presence of the leadership of the National Assembly, ministers and major stakeholders of education.

The Act empowers the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to provide student loans to qualified Nigerian students for tuition, fees, charges and upkeep during their studies in approved public tertiary institutions and vocational and skills acquisition establishments in the country.

Source: https://punchng.com/student-loan-nelfund-to-publish-institutions-with-complete-data-june-24/

Student Loan Not 'scam, audio', President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Reassures Students

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured students in tertiary institutions that the Student Loan is neither a “scam” nor “audio,” scheme, stating that over seventy thousand Nigerian students who applied for the student loan will receive their student loan in no distant time.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Student Engagement, Honourable Sunday Adedayo Asefon, gave the reassurance at the National Students Leadership and Mentorship Summit at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, in Uvwie council area of Delta State on Monday.

Stressing the genuineness of the student loan scheme, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said: “70,000 Nigerian students have applied for the loan. I assure you that in no distant time the loan will be paid to beneficiaries.

“State institutions will benefit from the loan, Polytechnics, Mono Technics, Colleges of Education and other Higher institutions will benefit from the student loan.”

Honourable Sunday Adedayo Asefon who also spoke on behalf of the Minister of Youth Development, Honourable Ayo Akinwande, stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was doing everything possible for students across the entire federation to “have access to quality and better education amongst others.”

National President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Lucky Emonefe said it was essential for students to understand their roles in sustaining democracy and nation building as future leaders.

According to Honourable Sunday Adedayo Asefon: “We must actively participate in the political process, hold our leaders accountable, advocate for policies that benefit the Nigerian people.

“As leaders of Nigerian students, we must remain committed to representing the interests of our members effectively.”

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/loan-scheme-not-scam-audio-tinubu-reassures-students/