T he Federal Government has approved the first comprehensive review of the National Youth Service Corps since it was created 53 years ago, with a new plan to make the scheme civilian-led and focused on practical skills.  The Federal Executive Council gave the approval on Sunday and directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations so the changes can take effect immediately.  Under the new plan, the NYSC will be managed daily by a civilian instead of a military officer. The armed forces will, however, continue to provide security for corps members nationwide. Officials say the move shifts the military’s role from administration to safety, while the scheme is repositioned as a productivity and youth-empowerment programme that supports Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy goal.  Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the reform is needed to build stronger human capital and al...

T he Federal Government will run another evacuation flight for Nigerians in South Africa on Tuesday, as it moves to protect citizens amid concerns over possible xenophobic attacks. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told reporters in Abuja on Monday that an Air Peace aircraft left Nigeria on Monday and will bring more evacuees back early Tuesday.  The flight is scheduled just before anti-immigrant protests expected to start on June 30. Government has been operating a voluntary return plan for Nigerians in South Africa who want to go home.  “Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our citizens from South Africa today,” Ebienfa said.  He stated that the Air Peace flight departed Nigeria at 3:00 pm on Monday, June 29, 2026, and was due in South Africa around 9:00 pm local time. It will leave South Africa at 12:00 midnight and land at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport Tuesday morning.  Ebienfa urged Nigerians staying after the June 30 pr...

P rovidusUnity Bank has officially commenced operations as a single, unified institution following the successful merger of Providus Bank and Unity Bank, According to report by THISDAY Newspaper.  The bank said all regulatory, shareholder, and judicial approvals have been concluded. The merger creates a stronger, better capitalized, and nationwide bank positioned to improve service delivery, expand financial inclusion, and support Nigeria’s economic growth agenda.  In a statement on Thursday, ProvidusUnity Bank said the merger brings together Providus Bank’s digital innovation, customer focused service, and technology strength with Unity Bank’s wide branch network and market presence. The combined institution will now serve individuals, businesses, and communities across the country.  The bank noted that the move aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s reforms to build more resilient banks, protect depositors, increase competition, and create institutions that can driv...

T he Nigerian Education Loan Fund has warned universities and other tertiary schools to stop holding back tuition refunds and to end sudden increases in school charges. In a statement on Sunday signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND said it was alarmed by reports that some institutions are refusing to pay back students who had already cleared their fees before their loan money arrived. The Fund explained that the Student Loan Scheme was created by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ease the cost of higher education, not to add more pressure on students and their families. “Some schools are delaying or refusing to refund students whose tuition was paid before NELFUND disbursements. We are also seeing arbitrary hikes in tuition and other charges,” the statement said. “This runs against the purpose of the scheme.” NELFUND added that it is already speaking with the affected schools and relevant authorities to make sure students get the money ...

T he Federal Government has placed an immediate ban on commercial bikes and tricycles along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Expressway in a bid to protect the newly built road. The announcement came on Sunday from the Federal Ministry of Works. Mr. Olufemi Dare, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, said the measure will begin this week. According to Dare, the move is aimed at stopping misuse and shielding the expressway from premature wear. “We must keep this road in top condition so it can benefit Nigerians for a long time,” he explained. Heavy trucks and articulated vehicles will no longer be permitted to park randomly on the stretch. The ban covers the coastal expressway and every bridge in Lagos. To maintain cleanliness, the ministry has outlawed indiscriminate waste disposal on the roadside, calling it unacceptable. Dare cautioned that anyone caught breaking the rules will face firm action from enforcement agents. He noted that regulatory signs have already been mounted along the route...