Speaking at the IoT West Africa Conference, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director general of NITDA, emphasised that policy remains the most critical enabler of Nigeria’s digital transformation, even as infrastructure continues to respond to market demand.

Represented by Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnership, Inuwa noted that building a resilient digital ecosystem requires more than infrastructure, it demands a policy-driven environment that stimulates both supply and demand.

Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the national commissioner/CEO of NDPC, warned that Nigeria’s heavy reliance on foreign data hosting poses serious implications for national sovereignty, security, and economic resilience.

He called for urgent investments in local data infrastructure, noting that Nigeria’s data centre market is projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2031.

At the panel session themed “The Lagos Abuja Digital Corridor: Building Africa’s Next Data Centre and Cloud Hub,” NITDA reiterated that strategic policies such as Nigeria’s broadband plan, targeting minimum speeds of 10 Mbps in rural areas and 25 Mbps in urban centres, are essential to guiding infrastructure deployment and expanding digital access nationwide.

However, stakeholders were cautioned that without strong collaboration between government, private sector players, and civil society, scaling infrastructure across the country would remain difficult.

“Collaboration is the pathway that massifies impact, while partnership harnesses collective intelligence. No one can achieve this in isolation,” Onumo stated.

Central to NITDA’s strategy is the Nigerian Sovereign Cloud Project, aimed at strengthening indigenous cloud providers and reducing dependence on foreign hyperscale operators. The initiative seeks to localise data hosting, lower operational costs, and expand access to cloud services while reinforcing Nigeria’s digital independence.

NITDA further stressed the need to stimulate demand through deliberate government action, including the consolidation of servers across public institutions to drive cloud adoption and attract investment into data centres.

Public-private partnerships (PPP), it noted, remain critical to co-creating, co-owning, and delivering sustainable digital infrastructure.

“We are no longer looking at IT from the perspective of infrastructure alone, but as an integrated system that creates value for the people,” Onumo said, urging stakeholders to work collectively towards building a digitally enabled Nigeria.

The Agency also highlighted ongoing initiatives such as its Digital Literacy for All programme, which aims to equip 70 per cent of Nigerians with digital skills by 2027.

Through collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), NITDA is deploying digital literacy champions across all 774 local government areas, targeting 30 million Nigerians within three years.

Both NITDA and NDPC agreed that addressing Nigeria’s data hosting imbalance is not just a technological necessity but a strategic imperative, one that will define the country’s digital future, economic security, and global competitiveness.

But as Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director general, stood at the National information Technology Development Agency headquarters in Abuja last week, he wasn’t looking at a queue, he was looking at an army of potential.

Every year, nearly 4 million young Nigerians step out of their service year and into a world where traditional jobs are vanishing as fast as new technology is appearing.

At the official commissioning of the NITDA Innovation Space, the air was thick with the scent of fresh paint and the hum of high-speed servers, the sounds of a new career strategy being born.

The mission is simple: to stop the job seeker cycle before it begins.

“The world is changing fast,” Inuwa told the gathered corps members, their bright eyes reflecting the glow of new screens. “If you want to succeed, you must build relevant skills.”

The Innovation Space isn’t just a room with computers; it’s a forge. Here, the “Idea2Impact” initiative aims to take the raw energy of serving corps members and refine it into tech-driven entrepreneurship.

Instead of waiting for a vacancy, these youth are being trained to build the companies that create them.

As Nigeria grapples with a massive labor force, this hub serves as a lighthouse. It signals a shift from the era of waiting for a slot to an era of building the solution, ensuring that the 3.5 million youth entering the market each year aren’t just statistics, but the architects of the nation’s digital future.

“Our goal is simple: before you leave here, you should either have built a business or created something valuable enough to earn you a place in the ecosystem,” the NITDA boss stated.

Abdullahi also stressed the importance of career planning and visibility in today’s digital economy.

“You need to have the skills that will help you succeed wherever you find yourself in life. And secondly, you need to have a good career plan. A good career plan is something that can answer big questions like ‘Where do you want to be in the next few years?’ And many of us, we don’t think about this.”

Drawing from personal experience, he recalled how a voluntary project during his own service year in 2004, where he built a website using his NYSC allowance, earned him a ₦1.5 million contract and launched his professional journey.

“You need to create visibility. If you stand out, you don’t have to ask for jobs,” he added.

In his remarks, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the director‑general, the National Youth Service Corps, described the initiative as a model for national development and youth empowerment.

“We don’t just post corps members for service; we post them to add value and to be developed. What is happening here at NITDA is exactly what the country needs,” Nafiu said.

He praised the corps members for presenting market‑ready digital solutions and said the experience reinforced the relevance of the NYSC scheme in a technology‑driven era.

“The future of this country is here with these youths; we are going back with stories that at NITDA, they are not just accepting corps members; they are transforming them into better Nigerians.”

General Nafiu also disclosed that the NYSC is undergoing its own digital transformation, announcing that from the 2026 Batch A Stream One, the scheme has fully digitised its ID card system, enabling corps members to access their identification through digital dashboards.

He further expressed interest in adopting a Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) verification and management solution developed by corps members at NITDA and called for formal collaboration between both agencies to integrate the technology nationwide.

Impressed by the outcomes of the Idea to Impact programme, the NYSC Director‑General urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to move beyond routine postings and begin to treat corps members as contributors to national solutions.

“The youths we deploy are not just serving; they are solution providers,” he said.

During the event, corps members demonstrated functional digital solutions, including NITDA Smart ID Management by Team Sentinel and Trivergent, and the NYSC Corps360 (COPA App) by Team COPA. The solutions are designed to improve identity management, service coordination, and operational efficiency within the NYSC scheme.

While speaking with one of the innovators and ex NITDA Corp member Ruth Mmachi Owana‑Jack said her team developed the Smart ID System, describing it as “a secure and unified digital identity solution designed for modern institutions.”

She explained that the idea emerged from observing how identities are managed across organisations, noting that “identity cards cannot be updated in real time, which leads to constant reprinting,” while staff are often forced to carry multiple cards, with limited tracking of staff data and growing concerns around security, privacy and what she termed “identity immobility.”

According to her, the Smart ID System addresses these challenges by consolidating identity management into a single platform. “Our solution is a seamless Smart ID system that combines a mobile application, a web application, and a unified card that supports NFC for instant digital sharing,” she said. She added that the system allows for “one card for all purposes: secure identification, real‑time updates, and seamless interaction within and across organisations.”

Owana‑Jack said her experience while at NITDA played a critical role in shaping the solution.

“Working within the system exposed me to real operational gaps, especially around identity management, data handling, and access control,” she said, expressing gratitude to the Director‑General for creating “the opportunities for us to explore, experiment, and build solutions like this.” She noted that NITDA provided “not just the environment, but the support and platform to think critically, collaborate effectively, and build in line with Nigeria’s digital transformation goals.”

On scaling, she said the deployment would be in phases as they have experimented it within NITDA before expanding to other government institutions and eventually the private sector. “Now that we have ended up with our service year, the focus is to move this from a project into a fully deployable, production‑ready solution,” she said, adding that the training she received at NITDA has strengthened her confidence and reshaped how she thinks about executing tasks to analysing systems, identifying gaps, and building solutions that are practical, relevant and scalable.”

Highlighting NITDA’s roles in training and reshaping corps members into solution‑driven innovators, Lukman M. Abdullahi, an ex‑corps member, said the structured exposure at the agency was central to the development of the Secure Smart ID solution. He explained that NITDA’s work environment and hands‑on training revealed practical inefficiencies in identity management.

“At NITDA currently, staff members use multiple cards for different functionality, one card for access and one card for networking. Not only is this inefficient, but it is costly and product‑wasteful,” he said.

He added that when any card is misplaced, “there is no alternative except to get a new one, which is time‑consuming and cost‑ineffective.”

According to him, the solution integrates access, identity and business into one card, supported by “a digital ID via mobile and web applications for scenarios where someone doesn’t have a physical card.”

Abdullahi said NITDA’s impact extended beyond technical training to exposing corps members to real‑world problem‑solving and national platforms that continue to shape them even after service.

“NITDA provided a gateway for innovators to showcase themselves, not just to high‑ranking officials but, to an extent, to the nation. That level of exposure and opportunity is very rare, especially for free,” he said.

He added that exposing corps members to different spaces and environments “forces critical thinking and learning how to adapt,” describing it as “an important form of survival training.”

Looking ahead, he said the team’s plan is nationwide expansion. “We want all government agencies and organisations, not just NITDA and its subsidiaries, to operate in this manner. We want Nigeria to evolve in how its processes function.”

For years, NITDA has been absorbing an average of 700 corps members annually, a figure that almost doubles its permanent staff strength.

The Agency deliberately leverages this opportunity by prioritising training in emerging technologies, structured mentorship, and platforms that help corps members scale ideas from conception to real‑world impact.

Rather than treating the NYSC year as a routine public service requirement, NITDA has repositioned it as an innovation pipeline, where corps members are challenged to solve real problems and build commercially viable solutions before the end of their service.

The innovation space will serve as a practical hub for NITDA’s Idea to Impact programme, which supports corps members in refining early‑stage ideas into deployable products. Several projects developed by serving corps members are already in use within NITDA, while others are being prepared for commercialisation.

Aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for youth economic empowerment and digital transformation, the commissioning of the NITDA Innovation Space marks a strategic shift in how national service is perceived, from a transitional year of waiting to a structured pathway for innovation, enterprise and long‑term impact.

Nigeria, home to over 200 million people and one of the youngest populations in the world, has a focus point for technology companies looking to build artificial intelligence skills.

AI is projected to contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy over the next decade, pushing governments and technology firms to invest more in digital skills and workforce training.

Experts say Nigeria has the talent base to become a commendable AI hub if skills development keeps pace with the rapid adoption of technology across sectors such as finance, telecommunications and public services.

TeKnowledge believes there are opportunities, but only if training programmes move beyond awareness and start producing job-ready talent.

The company helped deliver the first phase of Microsoft’s AI National Skilling Initiative in Nigeria last year. That programme introduced more than 50,000 Nigerians to foundational and intermediate AI skills, while over 3,000 participants completed advanced training and earned Microsoft AI certifications.

About 1,700 of those certified trainees were developers drawn from 40 technology companies already working within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Many went on to build working tools during a developer hackathon organised under the programme. The teams produced nine applied AI solutions designed for financial services, including systems for document verification, fraud detection and automated risk analysis.

A career fair held alongside the training connected participants with employers and technology partners. Some secured roles during the event, while others entered job placement pathways with companies looking to expand their AI capabilities.

The next phase aims to expand the pipeline.

TeKnowledge and Microsoft say the AI programme will now focus heavily on students, developers, entrepreneurs and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), one of Nigeria’s largest graduate mobilisation platforms.

Universities are also an important part of the rollout, with physical engagements planned at institutions including the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and Covenant University, where undergraduates will work on applied AI projects.

The initiative also aligns with national capacity building efforts such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, part of the federal government’s plan to expand Nigeria’s digital workforce.

Olugbolahan Olusanya, territory director for Africa at TeKnowledge, said the Microsoft programme is moving from broad AI awareness to deeper alignment.

“Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its digital journey. AI is no longer a future concept, it is a present opportunity. This next phase is about scale, depth, and measurable impact. We are committing to directly train 10,000 participants in Phase 2, with deliberate focus on youth, women, developers, and decision makers who will drive AI adoption across sectors. 

“The Career Fair ensures this initiative goes beyond training, creating direct pathways from learning to livelihood. We are not simply delivering programmes; we are strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to compete in an AI-powered global economy.”

The training will combine online learning with hands-on projects and in-person workshops. Cybersecurity awareness and responsible AI use will also be included in the curriculum, reiterating data protection as organisations deploy AI systems.

For Microsoft, the initiative aligns with its goal to expand digital skills across Africa. The company has already trained millions of Nigerians in different technology programmes over the past five years, with AI now becoming the central focus of its workforce strategy.

Olatomiwa Williams, chief growth and AI officer for Microsoft Middle East and Africa, said Africa has the chance to move from technology consumption to innovation.

“Africa has an incredible opportunity to become not only a participant, but a builder and co-creator in the global AI economy, but much of this promise depends on building the right skills for this exciting new era. Microsoft’s AI Skilling Initiative plays a critical role in enabling Nigeria’s national digital skilling efforts. 

“Already we have seen wonderful innovation and globally relevant local solutions coming from the talent here in Nigeria. By deepening AI skills and diffusing AI adoption throughout the economy, Nigeria and the African continent stand to benefit.”

TeKnowledge has operated in Nigeria since 2018 and now employs more than 2,000 engineers and technology specialists in the country, supporting global customers from its Lagos hub and delivering services to organisations in more than 90 countries.

Aileen Allkins, the company’s chief executive and president, said the countries that invest early in AI will set the pace for the next phase of economic competition.

“Around the world, nations that invest in AI literacy and responsible adoption today will define tomorrow’s economic leadership. Nigeria has the talent, the ambition, and the entrepreneurial energy to lead in Africa’s AI transformation.

“Our focus is to combine global expertise with strong local execution, ensuring AI skills are accessible, inclusive, and impactful at scale.”

In Nigeria, AI will definitely transform industries, and the process has already begun with TeKnowledge, Microsoft and many other innovators.

The sensitisation exercise, held simultaneously across both camps, focused on data depletion, consumer protection, and smart data management, reflecting NCC’s resolve to empower young Nigerians as champions of consumer rights in the digital age.

Quiz, Donations and Engagements

Beyond the educative sessions, corps members were thrilled with interactive quiz competitions, where winners received gift items such as power banks, airtime, and data subscriptions.

In a show of corporate social responsibility and support for corps members, the NCC also donated bags of rice and vegetable oil to each camp. The items were received by the respective NYSC State Coordinators, Hajiya Salamatu Mohammed in Nasarawa and Mrs. Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim in Niger.

Data Depletion: A Key Consumer Concern

Delivering a keynote message on behalf of the Commission, officials read the address of the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs. Freda Ruth Bruce-Bennett. She highlighted the Commission’s focus on addressing widespread concerns over data depletion, which has become one of the most frequently reported issues by consumers.

According to her, Nigeria’s internet subscriptions have grown from 105 million in August 2018 to 142 million in January 2025, driven by social media usage, digital services, and widespread access to broadband. While this growth reflects Nigeria’s deepening digital economy, it has also heightened consumer anxieties over data consumption and billing transparency.

“The issue of data depletion continues to resonate with consumers, affecting their quality of experience. Many are unaware that smartphone features, background app updates, streaming, and even navigation apps can lead to higher data usage,” Bruce-Bennett said.

She pointed out that NCC has already undertaken studies on the matter while also introducing initiatives on data transparency, enforcement of fair usage policies, and continuous consumer education.

Tips for Smart Data Use

The NCC urged corps members to embrace smarter ways of managing data, including:

• Regularly monitoring data usage.
• Restricting background data for apps.
• Using Wi-Fi and downloading content offline.
• Turning off automatic updates and location services.
• Enabling data-saving modes on devices.

“By applying these practices, subscribers can significantly reduce unnecessary data consumption,” she added, pointing corps members to NCC’s dedicated consumer portal, consumer.ncc.gov.ng, for more resources.

Corps Members as Consumer Champions

The NCC emphasised that corps members, given their education, mobility, and digital fluency, have a vital role to play as consumer champions across communities.

“We urge you to spread awareness of consumer rights, educate your peers about NCC’s initiatives, and serve as partners in strengthening Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem,” Bruce-Bennett told the corps members.

Strengthening Consumer Trust

Closing her remarks, she reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to building a telecom sector that is fair, transparent, and consumer-centric.

“Your voices matter. Your experiences shape policy. Together, let us build a telecom sector that works for all Nigerians, not just in access, but in quality, transparency, and trust,” she said.

The sensitisation campaign in Nasarawa and Niger is part of NCC’s broader strategic consumer outreach, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to deepen digital literacy and protect the rights of all telecom subscribers.

According to NIMC, the initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of enrolling and issuing the NIN to all Nigerians and legal residents within the shortest time possible.

NIMC has enrolled and issued the NIN to over 120M Nigerians and legal residents and, therefore, intends to cover hitherto unreachable areas through the Ward Enrolment initiative.

The Corps members selected are currently undergoing intensive training in preparation for the kick-off of the ward enrollment.

Consequently, Nigerians, most especially children below the age of 16 years are by this initiative encouraged to enrol for the NIN in their respective wards. This initiative aims to take NIN enrolment closer to the people.

Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC DG/CEO, lauded the immeasurable support of President Tinubu towards the achievements of the NIMC mandate.

She also appreciated the commendable efforts of the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, and the DG, NYSC, Brigade-General, Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu.

This innovative product, facilitated by a secure Mastercard platform and issued in collaboration with Providus Bank, Remita, and Credicorp, provides instant access to credit and financial flexibility to over 720,000 federal civil servants and NYSC members all through the Allawee app.

Despite Nigeria’s significant economic potential, over 70% of bank account holders lack access to credit, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The Allawee credit card addresses this gap, offering a solution that caters to the unique financial needs of Nigerians. Furthermore, in a market dominated by debit and prepaid cards, this initiative aims to promote responsible credit usage, combines seamless digital onboarding, user-friendly features, and responsible credit management tools in one platform.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Allawee on this innovative credit solution, which aligns perfectly with Mastercard’s commitment to bring one billion people into the digital economy by 2025. The Allawee credit card provides instant access to credit while also empowering civil servants and NYSC members in Nigerian to build their creditworthiness, further advancing financial inclusion across the country,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager and area business head for West Africa at Mastercard.

Launched at a crucial time when access to credit is vital for economic growth, the Allawee Credit Card supports the Nigerian government’s objective of increasing credit availability to 50% of working Nigerians by 2030.

The card offers a secure and seamless way to access credit while helping users build a credit profile, aligning with Mastercard’s mission to drive financial inclusion.

Through this collaboration, users can download the Allawee Credit Card, apply for a loan, receive approval, and start transacting immediately.

Once approved, the credit is disbursed directly onto a co-branded card, giving users full control over their funds.

The card allows for flexible usage across POS terminals, ATMs, and online transactions, enabling greater financial freedom.

“We launched this card to help Nigerians gain access to instant, affordable credit while building their credit history. Whether it’s handling daily purchases or taking care of life’s emergencies, our customers now have an easy way to cover expenses. With Mastercard, we are giving them the convenience to spend their credit at millions of retail locations in Nigeria and around the world, both online and in-store,” said Ikenna Enenwali, CEO of Allawee.

The Allawee credit card offers instant credit access through a fast, secure, and fully digital application process, with wide acceptance at Mastercard online and physical retail locations globally.

Customers benefit from flexible repayment options, choosing their credit limits (up to ₦1,000,000) and repaying in installments over four months.

This collaboration reinforces Mastercard’s commitment to driving financial inclusion across Nigeria and enabling underserved populations to participate in the digital economy.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation efforts, with the goal of improving Government-to-Citizen (G2C) interactions and enabling easier access to government services.

The Government Service Portal is a unified digital platform designed to enhance the delivery of public services by providing a seamless, secure, and accessible portal where citizens can interact with multiple government agencies.

Through this portal, citizens can access critical services such as NIN Registration, Immigration Services, healthcare services, and more—with little or no need to visit to physical offices.

Galaxy Backbone, a leading digital infrastructure and services provider for the Nigerian public sector, has played a pivotal role in championing e-government and  in designing and deploying the GSP.

Through its partnership with KOICA, Galaxy Backbone has ensured that the platform leverages the latest technologies, prioritizing user experience, accessibility, and cybersecurity.

KOICA has provided technical expertise, capacity-building support, and funding for the development of the portal, underscoring the shared commitment to Nigeria’s e-government strategy.

Key Highlights of the Government Service Portal:

Accelerating Digital Transformation: The GSP supports the Federal Government’s commitment to digitize public services, enabling more efficient governance and ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of location, can access essential services.

Improving Government-to-Citizen Engagement: By reducing the need for face-to-face interactions and offering real-time service tracking, the portal fosters a more transparent and responsive government, enhancing citizens’ trust in public institutions.

Secure and Accessible Services: The GSP is designed with robust cybersecurity features, ensuring that citizens’ data remains protected.

It is also mobile-friendly and accessible in multiple languages, making it easy for citizens from all parts of Nigeria to interact with government services online.

KOICA’s Role:

KOICA has provided strategic support, leveraging its expertise in e-governance and technology-driven public service delivery.

KOICA’s involvement ensures that the GSP aligns with international best practices and benefits from the lessons learned in similar successful projects globally.

Engagement Workshop with 12 Pilot Agencies:
The engagement workshop, which took place today, brought together senior officials from 12 pilot government agencies, including FMCIDE, NIMC, SMEDAN, NCC, NIPOST, FRSC, NAFDAC, NYSC, NPF, NIS, BPP and NEPC.

The goal of the workshop was to familiarize these agencies with the GSP’s features, capabilities, and integration process, and to ensure seamless service delivery as the portal goes live.

Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, who represented the Honourable Minister, highlighted the significance of this project and the need deepened collaboration and deeper citizen engagement. ‘The Government Service Portal has the potential to change lives and I believe that through and efficient and effective collaboration we will achieve a lot for our nation’.  Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanyu, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, emphasized the significance of this initiative in transforming how government services are delivered to Nigerians. He noted:

“The Government Service Portal is a testament to Nigeria’s dedication to embracing digitalisation for improved governance. Galaxy Backbone is proud to lead this initiative, working alongside KOICA to make public services more efficient, transparent, and accessible to all. With the engagement of these pilot agencies, we are taking a major step toward a fully digitized public service ecosystem that will benefit every Nigerian citizen.”

From KOICA’s side, the Country Director, Mr. Sunjil SON, expressed the agency’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s journey toward an inclusive digital economy, stating:

“KOICA is delighted to partner with Galaxy Backbone and the Government of Nigeria in delivering a platform that will change how citizens interact with their government. This initiative aligns with our broader mission of promoting sustainable development through technology and innovation.”

Looking Ahead:

According to the statement signed by Mr. Chidi Okpala, head, Media & Corporate Communications at GBB, the successful integration of the 12 pilot agencies is a precursor to a broader rollout of the GSP across all government ministries, departments, and agencies.

This initiative will serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s e-government strategy, reducing delays, improving transparency, and empowering citizens to engage more effectively with their government.

This initiative, implemented in NYSC camps in Lagos, Sagamu, Abuja, Keffi, and Uyo seeks to educate young Nigerians on the importance of saving and financial literacy.

Through this partnership, Jollof+ sponsored Mr Macho and Miss Nysc events at Ogun state camp, where winners were awarded amazing items and also provided with valuable insights into how they can use the Jollof+ app to save smarter and manage their money more effectively.

Commenting on the partnership, Joy Micheal-Oti, business development manager, Baobab Nigeria, said:

“We believe that financial literacy is the key to financial independence, and it is something every young Nigerian should know. Our partnership with NYSC is our way of investing in the future of Nigeria by helping corps members understand how to save, invest, and secure their financial future with Jollof+. These are the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to ensure they are well-prepared for the future ahead of them.

In addition to promoting financial literacy, the partnership also aims to build brand awareness for Jollof+, a fast-growing digital savings platform designed to simplify how Nigerians manage their money.

Corps members were introduced to the key features of Jollof+, including its high-interest savings options like Jolloflock, Ajo+, and Babybox, which are designed to cater to various savings goals.

On their part, the State Coordinator NYSC Ogun State, Mrs Nasamu Olayinka Diana, said,

“We are excited about the partnership with Jollof+ as it aligns with our youth development initiative, where we equip corp members for the future ahead. When you invest in the youths, you have not wasted anything, they are indeed the best place to invest in. Thank you Jollof+ for this partnership, it will indeed have a great impact on our corp members.

With Nigeria facing rising inflation and economic uncertainty, financial literacy has never been more important.

Young Nigerians, particularly corps members, are entering the workforce and facing financial challenges that require them to be financially savvy.

Jollof+ plans to continue expanding its reach to more NYSC camps across the country in the coming months, ensuring that even more young Nigerians are introduced to Jollof+ and the importance of financial literacy

The app is available for download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple Store. For more information about Jollof+ and its offerings, please visit  or contact our customer support at +07000226222.

This announcement comes as part of FG’s economic adjustments, particularly the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, aimed at improving the welfare of federal workers.

However, the approval has left many Corps Members wondering if they will receive arrears for the months between July and the official announcement in September, as outlined in the letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. 

The letter, signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, was issued on 25th September 2024, following discussions between NYSC Director-General Brigadier General YD Ahmed and the Commission on enhancing Corps Members’ welfare.

The NYSC leadership, represented by Brigadier General Ahmed, has appreciated the Federal Government’s decision, stating that the increase will provide much-needed financial relief and boost morale among Corps Members, many of whom have struggled under economic challenges. 

“The NYSC Boss is thankful to the Federal Government for the timely gesture and is optimistic that it will not only bring the much needed succour to the Corps Members, but also boost their morale and motivate them to do even more, in their service to the nation,” wrote Caroline Embu, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations at NYSC, in a message shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Prior to this adjustment, Corps Members received a monthly allowance of ₦33,000, which was introduced in 2019 after the federal minimum wage was raised from ₦18,000 to ₦30,000. At that time, the ₦33,000 NYSC allowance was a welcomed improvement but quickly became insufficient as inflation and living costs continued to rise.

The recent National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 raised the minimum wage to ₦70,000, necessitating the increment for NYSC members to ₦77,000. This seeks to mitigate the impact of inflation and provide better financial support to workers across the country, including young graduates in national service. 

While the increment is a step in the right direction, the issue of arrears remains unresolved. Many Corps Members continued to receive the old ₦33,000 stipend in recent months, despite the policy change being effective from July. 

There is yet to be an official statement on whether arrears will be paid for the months leading up to the September confirmation. The NYSC is expected to clarify the situation.

He made the pledge during his address as the special guest of honour at the NYSC Passing-Out Parade/Closing Ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Corps Members, held at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja on Tuesday.

Governor Sanwolu also announced a farewell gift of N100,000 for each Corps member departing the camp and a sum of N100 million for the NYSC support staff.

According to him, “This year alone I will be making available a total of 5bn that will be used to start the full development of the permanent site for NYSC.

“For this batch, we have 4254, and with all sense of responsibility and because you have been very hardworking, each one of you will go home with N100,000, the money will be made available in your accounts by next week and your directors will credit your account.”