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NNPC unveils business opportunities for youth corps members

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A total of 2,659 members of the National Youth Service Corps across Nigeria have been pre-qualified for the final phase of the NNPC Foundation Business Pitching Exercise.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer

NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, billed to hold from July 2 to 10, 2024, the exercise is an integral part of the NNPC Foundation’s Financial Literacy programme for Nigerian youths that witnessed the engagement of over 284,000 corps members, who underwent rigorous training and assessments.

Speaking on the exercise, the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the selection criteria would focus on the feasibility and sustainability of the business idea, market relevance, competitive edge and innovation, scalability, the potential impact on the community, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the corps members.

“We have identified these 2,659 individuals who are ready to present their business ideas to a distinguished panel of assessors,” Arukwe stated.

Arukwe informed that the Financial Literacy Programme is aligned with the NNPC Foundation’s mission of equipping young Nigerian graduates with the necessary skills for personal and professional development.

“By educating corps members on financial management and entrepreneurship, the program aims to empower them to become economically self-sufficient and to contribute positively to society,” she added.

During the pitching exercise, projects that stand out will receive startup packs, business advisory services, and opportunities to scale their ventures.

In a related development, the management of the NNPC Foundation has facilitated a significant 50 per cent reduction in the registration fee for corps members’ businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The NNPC Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of NNPC Limited. Its initiatives focus on enhancing Nigeria’s socio-economic development through targeted interventions in education, health, the environment, access to energy and youth empowerment to foster economic empowerment, promote entrepreneurship, and support sustainable development across the nation.

Education

NABTEB to embrace computer-based test in examinations – Registrar

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The National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) will embrace Computer-Based Test in subsequent Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) common entrance examinations and other examinations of the board.

Muhammed Aminu Muhammed, NABTEB’s Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, stated this at Uromi, Edo State, during the monitoring of TEVT’s common entrance examination into the federal technical colleges.

Represented by the director of the quality assurance department, Osaigbovo Pius, he explained that the board is putting infrastructure on ground that would enable it to conduct CBT examinations in subsequent examinations of the board.

He further explained, “CBT is the way to go now. JAMB is already doing it and WAEC may follow next year.

“We want to ensure that the infrastructure to enable the CBT exam is on ground.”

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NECO: 64,000 candidates take common entrance exam in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo

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No fewer than 64,000 candidates from Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo have participated in the 2025 National Common Entrance Examination, NCEE, for admission into Federal Government Colleges, conducted by the National Examinations Council, NECO.

Speaking after monitoring the exercise at Model Secondary School, Maitama, and Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the examination.

“I’m very happy with the way the exams have been conducted. They started on time, students were orderly, and invigilators were present and active. We had 64,000 candidates, 30,000 male and 34,000 female, which shows a strong interest in our unity colleges,” she said.

The minister emphasized that the turnout reflects continued public trust in the unity school system.

“Nigerians are still eager to have their children in Federal Government Colleges. This turnout shows that parents still value the role of unity schools in national cohesion,” she added.

On his part, the NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, confirmed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with over 15,000, while the Republic of Togo had the lowest with 17 candidates.

“We had about 109 candidates from Benin Republic and Togo combined, all Nigerian citizens residing there. This is a truly regional exercise that affirms the reach and reputation of our unity colleges,” he said.

Wushishi noted that no challenges were reported during the conduct of the exam.

“Materials arrived on time, the exam started as scheduled, and so far, we’ve seen no issues. This smooth process gives us hope that upcoming senior secondary exams, both WAEC and NECO, will follow suit,” he stated.

The NECO boss also acknowledged the inclusion of children with special needs, assuring that accommodations like braille materials and support personnel were provided.

On her part, the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir, said admissions into unity schools will be based on merit, state quota, and exigency, the latter catering largely to children of civil servants.

“Final admissions will depend on the released results, but we remain committed to a fair and inclusive process,” she noted.

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Education

Peter Obi Reacts After UNIZIK Staff Told Him That They Have Been Working For 5 Years Without being paid salary.

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‎On June 6, 2025, Peter Obi, a notable Nigerian politician, drew attention to the distressing situation of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) staff in Awka, who have gone unpaid for five years.

‎In a post on X at 4:30 PM WAT, Obi shared insights from his meeting with the affected teaching and non-teaching staff, describing their experiences as “shocking and heartbreaking.

‎” These employees, hired between 2019 and 2020, have been excluded from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), a federal payroll platform, resulting in non-payment of their salaries.”

‎He state the affected staff told him that they have written multiple petitions and appeals, both within Nigeria and international bodies but their situation has remained unchanged.

‎He called on the Federal Government to urgently enroll the staff on IPPIS and settle all outstanding salary arrears, framing the situation as both a humanitarian and moral concern. Obi stressed that neglecting educators jeopardizes the nation’s future and that the dignity of Nigerian workers must be upheld.

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