National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced that N110 billion has been allocated to support 150,000 youths across the country through the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this during a press conference in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, to flag off the nationwide enlightenment campaign on five key federal government programmes.
The Director General represented by the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Abuja Office, Mr John Bala Asate, Issa-Onilu explained that, the NYIF initiative was being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Youth in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
He noted that, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is at the final stage of deploying the SUPA project aimed at up scaling and certifying people who are engaged in various artisanal works across the country.
On education, the NOA boss revealed that over N59 billion has so far been disbursed as tuition fees directly to managements of higher institutions for more than 600,000 applicants under the Federal Government Students Loan Scheme.
He said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, to ensure that, no qualified Nigerian is denied access to tertiary education due to financial constraints.
“The loan is fully digital, which means applications are submitted online via the NELFUND website,” he stressed.
Issa-Onilu further announced that, in the coming weeks, the agency would commence a sensitisation campaign across the 36 states and the FCT to engage Nigerians on government policies and programmes. He added that, the engagement provided citizens the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications.
On Social Safety Nets, he stated that over two million households have benefitted from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme nationwide,
“Trader Moni and Farmer Moni is being introduced through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment GEEP programme – interest free loans of up to a maximum N100,000 and Farmer Moni of up to N300,000 will be provided”
Renovation of 700 rural schools is underway nationwide
He also disclosed that under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, renovation of 700 rural schools is underway across the country as part of interventions to improve education in rural areas.
Issa-Onilu observed that, poor drainage systems and indiscriminate dumping of waste have worsened flooding in many states, citing recent incidents in Niger, Kogi, Rivers, Anambra, and Bayelsa.
“NiMet has been issuing regular early warning advisories with 90 percent accuracy, while the Presidential Flood Mitigation Directive led to the release of 3 billion naira per state in 2024 for drainage clearance, relocation, and other measures,” he explained.
On national identity, Issa-Onilu said campaigns would be intensified to promote unity, patriotism, and respect for national symbols such as the National Anthem, Flag, Naira, and Nigerian Passport.
He emphasized that the sensitisation would be carried out through press conferences, town hall meetings, advocacy visits, school engagements, and outreach to traditional rulers, motor parks, and markets.
Aminu Dalhatu
