The Federal Government is set to disburse ₦6.3 billion in interest-free loans to 21,000 Nigerians affected by recent flood disasters across the country.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a roundtable marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Sununu said the initiative aims to cushion the impact of flooding and enhance food security nationwide, Channels reports.

“In the next few weeks, 21,000 Nigerians will receive interest-free, collateral-free loans of ₦300,000 each.

“This intervention is designed to support farmers and strengthen communities affected by flooding,” he said.

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The minister further revealed that the Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme, has reached over 8.1 million households with more than ₦300 billion in Conditional Cash Transfers.

“This support has improved the resilience, health, and education of many vulnerable households. The process will continue under the Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” Sununu added.

He also announced plans to empower internally displaced persons through a scheme that guarantees a market for their produce.

“Under our new collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, IDPs will retain 30% of their produce while the government will off-take 70%, providing direct cash payments to the participants,” he explained.

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, highlighted the growing threat of climate-related disasters and called for stronger preventive measures.

READ ALSO:FG To Disburse Interest-free Loans To Farmers, Small Businesses – GEEP

Umar noted that Nigeria faces increasing risks from climate change, conflicts, pandemics, and technological hazards, stressing that disaster management must shift from reactive to proactive approaches.

She also announced the launch of two key policy frameworks — the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030) to guide future disaster preparedness and resilience-building efforts.

“These frameworks promote innovation in financing, institutional collaboration, and risk-informed development,” she said, adding that NEMA is developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warning and data-driven decision-making.

She further called for innovative financing options, including catastrophe bonds, climate funds, and blended finance models, to sustain disaster prevention and recovery initiatives.

READ ALSO:FG To Disburse Interest-free Loans To Farmers, Small Businesses – GEEP

The event, which focused on building resilience against climate-related disasters, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, and international partners.

The PUNCH reports that 238 persons have lost their lives, while 135,764 others have been displaced following floods that swept through parts of the country as of October 10, 2025, according to figures obtained from the National Emergency Management Agency’s 2025 Flood Dashboard on Saturday.

NEMA reports that at least 409,714 people have been affected so far, with 826 sustaining various degrees of injuries and 115 reported missing across the country.

Flood-related deaths were recorded in multiple states, bringing the nationwide death toll to 238.

The Nigerian Air Force on Monday announced the opening of applications for its Airmen/Airwomen Basic Military Training Course 46/2025.

In an advertisement on its X handle, the Force said online registration is free and will start on October 14 and end on November 25, 2025.

It urged interested candidates to apply via the recruitment portal at http://nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng.

On completion of the application forms, NAF said applicants must print out the acknowledgement, parent and guardians consent, and local government area attestation forms.

The forms are to be signed as required by a military officer from the applicant’s state, not below the rank of wing commander in the Nigerian Air Force or equivalent in the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy; a police officer of the rank of chief superintendent of police and above; a substantive local government chairman or secretary; and magistrates from the applicant’s state of origin.

READ ALSO:NAF Airstrikes Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Destroy Hideout In Borno

It explained further that the Local Government Area Attestation Form must be accompanied by the passport photograph and photocopy of the signee’s driver’s licence or national ID card, or international passport.

Eligibility

Applicants must be Nigerian citizens.

Applicants must not be less than 1.66m tall for males and not less than 1.63m tall for females.

Applicants must be medically, physically and psychologically fit and must meet the Nigerian Air Force medical and employment standards.

British Airways flight
For candidates applying for non-tradesmen/women, they must be between the ages of 18 and 22 years at the time of application.

READ ALSO:NAF Air Raids Kill Three Boko Haram Commanders In Borno

Applicants must possess a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, in not more than 2 sittings in WAEC/NECO/GCE/NABTEB/NBAIS.

In addition, applicants are required to possess their secondary school’ testimonials.

For tradesmen/women, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 27 years at the time of application.

Applicants with ND/NCE must possess at least lower credit from accredited institutions and must possess a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English, in not more than two sittings in WAEC/NECO/GCE/NABTEB/NBAIS.

READ ALSO:NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon

Applicants applying as drivers and other trades that require a trade test must possess a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English, in not more than 2 sittings in WAEC/NECO/GCE/NABTEB/NBAIS, in addition to their trade test certificate and a valid driving licence for drivers.

In addition to the five credits requirement in SSCE, applicants applying as sportsmen/women are to present evidence of their professional experience, which should include certificates and medals.

NAF said applicants must be free of any previous conviction(s) on criminal grounds by a court of law.

It added that the zonal general aptitude test for successful candidates will be held on a date to be conveyed on its recruitment portal.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has removed Dr Maureen Ekhoragbon as Chair of the State Senior Secondary Education Board, effective immediately.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ikhilor Musa, announced the sack in a statement on Monday and named Dr Rita Otibho Erewele as Ekhoragbon’s replacement.

The statement did not give reasons for the dismissal.

Erewele was described as “an accomplished educationist and administrator” with more than two decades of experience in Nigeria’s education sector.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo, Idahosa Bag UNIBEN Distinguished Service, Leadership Awards

“She holds a PhD in Educational Administration and Planning, along with a master’s and bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Benin.

“Dr Erewcle has served in various leadership capacities, including as a lecturer, education consultant, and senior education officer.

“Her contributions to policy development, teacher training, and curriculum enhancement have earned her recognition for excellence in academic leadership and educational reform,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Poised To Surpassing People’s Expectations — Edo Deputy Gov

Earlier this month, Edo State Government announced the absorption of 4,000 volunteer teachers under the EdoStar Teaching Programme and recruitment of 500 new teachers to strengthen the state’s education system.

Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, said the move reflected Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to rewarding dedication and addressing the dearth of teachers in public primary and secondary schools.

“Come October 15, we are going to present letters of appointment to about 4,000 EdoStar volunteer teachers who have been teaching for the past three years,” he said.