Featured

China Loan: Nigeria Will Pay Back In 20years-Amaechi

Published

6 years ago

August 1, 2020

Joel Ajayi

Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon.Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has reiterated that the Nigerian government has the capability to pay back the loans collected for the construction of rail projects within the stipulated period of twenty years.

Amaechi stated this when he appeared on a live television programme (Democracy Today) aired on AIT in Abuja, Friday.

He said China was the only country given out loans with a low interest rate of 2.8 percent as no country in the world would give out a loan without a guarantee to pay back such loans.

“The trade agreement between Nigeria and China: The first thing is that the ministry of transport doesn’t take loan, everything about loan is directed to the ministry of finance, so I couldn’t have signed any loan because I don’t take loan. What I signed is what is called commercial contract, which is contract between the federal government and CCECC as a contractor, the contract between Nigeria and China is usually signed by the ministry of finance.

“Whether is the ministry of finance that signed it or the ministry of transportation, the issue is that nobody will give you loan free of charge , there must be an agreement and such agreement must contain some terms, that doesn’t mean that you are signing away the sovereignty of the country, no country will sign out its sovereignty.

“What clause 8 does is to say to you, I expect you to pay according to those terms we have agreed, if you don’t pay, don’t throw your immunity on me when I come to collect back the guarantee that was put forward, that is all.

“We are paying the loans. In the same National Assembly sitting, they were told that the 500million dollars loan, we have paid 96 million dollars already, Nigeria is already paying and the 500 million dollars was not taking by us, it was taken by President Goodluck Jonathan in his term and that clause was there.

“Nigeria has the capacity to pay back for the period of 20 years at 2.8 percent, which country will give you that loan? secondly , these loans are not giving to us, they are paid directly to the contractors, once they sign that the job has been done , they pay the contractors and that has never happened before and this project are in place, are they trying to rubbish the fact that there is a railway from Abuja-Kaduna?

“There is no loan in Nigeria either internal or external that is not approved by the National Assembly, none. Chinese government will not even give you a loan without an approval by the National Assembly because if they give you a loan without the approval from NASS that is no loan,” he explained.

Reacting to fears by Nigerians that the country is being sold out to China because of the loans, Amaechi said ” when we stop collecting the loans, then we stop developing because there was no money by the time we came into government, by the time we came the money has been blown away”, he said.

Amaechi further said that the sovereign guarantee and sovereign immunity clause raised by the National Assembly was just a term used to ensure that loans collected were paid back and in the case of a default only the assets constructed with such a loan would be taken back.

According to him, even commercial banks would not give anybody a loan without an asset that can be used to pay back the loan collected, same with the Chinese loan or any other loan in the world.

Hear him, “What you do is you give a sovereign guarantee and that guarantee is the immunity clause they are talking about. When we say I give you a sovereign guarantee and we get immunity clause, the immunity clause is that if tomorrow am not able to pay you and you come to collect the items that we have agreed upon, that these are items that am putting down as guarantee, I can waive my immunity and say no you can’t touch it am sovereign country.

” So, they are saying if you are not able to pay, don’t stop us from taking back those items that will make us recover our funds, so is China our father that will give us money for free? It is a standard clause in every agreement whether is America we signed it with, whether is Britain, any country would want to know that they can recover their money.

“Anybody that is saying he doesn’t know what a sovereign guarantee or immunity is, too bad for the person, because it simply means in trade that I am not giving you this loan free of charge, just like you go to the bank to collect a loan, the moment you don’t pay they go after your assets you put down, that is all about the clause, the Chinese can never come and take over Aso rock and become President or Minister.

” And if the assets you put down become depreciated then you negotiate which assets they can go after. Chinese will never take over what was not constructed with the loan.”

Amaechi said it would be unconstitutional to take a loan not approved by the National Assembly, but for the issue of confidentiality in government he would have published the clauses generating the dusts.

“The National Assembly are aware of all these loans, we can’t take loan without the National Assembly, so ask why they are investigating? The Chinese is just asking us to show them the evidence that we will pay back which is the immunity clause. If we don’t pay, they can take back their assets,” he noted.

Speaking about the Zambia experience, where the country could not meet up with its loan agreement, the minister said that the Chinese government will never take over infrastructure that was not constructed from the money taken.

He also acknowledged that the finance ministry in a payment plan had started paying back some of the loans collected.

“The payment plan is the responsibility of the ministry of finance, ours is to implement the contract. They are meeting the requirements, at any point in time that we need to pay, we’ll pay, adding, “1.6 billion dollars was taken to fix Lagos to Ibadan, we are asking for 5.3 billion dollars to fix from Ibadan to Kano, 3.2 billion dollars to fix Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, then Lagos to Calabar which is about 11.1billion dollars, if those things were done when we had money, will we be here today? The answer is no.”

Amaechi who also called on the National Assembly and Nigerians to appreciate government effort in providing infrastructure said the Itakpe /Warri rail project in the South South which was abandoned for thirty four years by successive governments was fully rehabilitated by the present administration without seeking for loan.

Share on Facebook

Featured

DG Nafiu’s First Year at NYSC Marked by Transformational Achievements

Published

1 week ago

March 5, 2026

The Gleamer

When Brigadier General OO Nafiu assumed office on March 6, 2025 as the 23rd Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), expectations were high.

The Scheme, which has remained a cornerstone of Nigeria’s youth development and national integration since its establishment, required renewed energy, strategic direction and reforms capable of addressing modern realities.

One year later, Brigadier General Nafiu has presented a comprehensive scorecard highlighting the milestones achieved under his leadership.

His administration, anchored on transparency, improved welfare, job creation and institutional efficiency, has recorded notable progress in repositioning the NYSC for greater relevance in contemporary Nigeria.

A Vision Anchored on Reform and RelevanceUpon assumption of office, the Director-General outlined a clear vision designed to strengthen the Scheme and align it with the evolving needs of Nigerian society. His agenda was built around three major pillars: transparent leadership, improved welfare for corps members and staff, and expanded job creation initiatives.
This vision translated into a broader policy thrust aimed at strengthening the NYSC to ensure its future relevance while contributing meaningfully to national development.
Four focal points guided the implementation of this agenda: enhanced security and welfare for corps members and staff, promotion of patriotism and personal growth among corps members, building a resilient workforce, and promoting strategic communication across the organisation.
Over the past year, these guiding principles have shaped several reforms and initiatives that have improved the operational efficiency and national impact of the Scheme.

Strengthening Welfare and Staff DevelopmentOne of the central priorities of the Nafiu-led administration has been the welfare and professional development of staff.
In a significant move to improve transportation and operational convenience, the Scheme secured a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus to facilitate movement for staff and corps members.

Career progression also received a major boost with the successful conduct of the 2025 promotion exercise. A total of 696 senior staff and 139 junior staff were promoted, while 173 officers received approval for conversion to different cadres and salary grade levels. These measures have strengthened morale and reinforced a culture of merit and dedication within the organisation.

In addition, the management ensured prompt payment of disengagement allowances to retired personnel, with over 168 staff benefiting from post-service welfare support.
A landmark achievement during the year was the approval for the implementation of peculiar allowances for NYSC staff, which took effect from January 2026, further improving staff motivation and financial welfare.

National Recognition and Institutional Excellence

The NYSC also received significant national recognition during the year under review. The Scheme was honoured with the Best Performing SERVICOM Unit (Parastatal), Team A, at the SERVICOM Presidency’s 2025 Annual End-of-Year Awards.

The Director-General himself was recognised as the Best Supporting Chief Executive by the SERVICOM National Office in 2025. In another major recognition of institutional compliance and digital responsibility, the NYSC was named the Most Compliant Public Sector Organisation on Data Protection (Federal) by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in February 2026.
These accolades underscore the commitment of the leadership to transparency, accountability and service delivery.

Celebrating Outstanding Corps MembersA major highlight of the year was the hosting of the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony for the years 2020 to 2023. The event celebrated 210 outstanding former corps members whose exceptional service contributed to the development of communities across Nigeria.

Beyond recognition, the Federal Government rewarded the awardees with automatic employment into the Federal Civil Service, reinforcing the value of patriotism, diligence and national service.

Expanding Operational Capacity

To strengthen operational efficiency, the NYSC conducted a recruitment exercise that brought 850 new staff into the Scheme. This move addressed manpower gaps and enhanced the institution’s ability to effectively manage its programmes nationwide.

The administration also intensified advocacy and engagement with key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and various state governments. These collaborations have improved support for NYSC activities and strengthened partnerships crucial to the Scheme’s success.

Improving Infrastructure and Healthcare Support

Infrastructure and healthcare resources also received attention. The NYSC received two mobile clinics donated by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in February 2026. The mobile facilities are expected to improve access to healthcare services for corps members, particularly in remote deployment locations.

Policy Reforms for Institutional EfficiencyInstitutional reform has been another significant focus. The administration successfully processed the approval of the NYSC Scheme of Service, last revised in 1992, and the NYSC Conditions of Service, last updated in 2013, by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The updated documents are expected to improve service delivery, strengthen administrative structures and provide clearer career frameworks for staff.

Enhancing Corps Members’ Welfare
Corps members also benefited from policy improvements. Approval was secured for an upward review of the allowances covering kits, feeding and transportation for corps members, with implementation expected to commence in 2027.

The administration also ensured prompt payment of corps members’ insurance coverage, reinforcing safety nets for participants in the Scheme.

Promoting Entrepreneurship and Job CreationBeyond welfare, the NYSC has continued to expand job creation opportunities for corps members.

Through strengthened partnerships with private sector organisations, the Scheme has facilitated employment pathways for graduates completing their national service.

Entrepreneurship programmes under the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development initiative have also empowered corps members with practical business skills, enabling many to establish their own enterprises.

Promoting Unity and Cultural IntegrationThe NYSC remains a vital instrument for national unity, and the current leadership has reinforced this role through strengthened community development programmes and cultural initiatives. Activities such as the NYSC cultural festivals in orientation camps have been improved and repackaged to promote cultural understanding and national cohesion among young Nigerians.

Embracing Digital Innovation
Operational improvements have also been driven by digital innovation. The Scheme has introduced and expanded digital solutions aimed at improving efficiency, administrative coordination and service delivery across its nationwide operations.
a
Capacity Building and Professional TrainingStaff training and professional development have remained a priority. In addition to internal workshops such as the pre-mobilisation workshop, pre-orientation workshop and Annual Management Conference, more than 936 staff members participated in seminars and professional training programmes organised by reputable institutions across the country.

These organisations include the Federal Training Centres, the Centre for Management Development, the Institute for Strategic Management of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and the Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development.Strengthening Strategic PartnershipsPartnerships with government agencies, private organisations and non-governmental bodies have continued to expand, helping to drive youth empowerment initiatives and national development programmes linked to the NYSC mandate.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Despite these achievements, the year was not without challenges. Security concerns and funding constraints posed operational difficulties. However, the leadership emphasised that the experiences have provided valuable lessons that will guide future strategies to ensure the Scheme remains resilient and responsive to national needs.Looking Ahead

As the NYSC enters another phase of its development, Brigadier General Nafiu has outlined a forward-looking agenda focused on digital transformation, youth entrepreneurship and stronger stakeholder collaboration.These initiatives aim to deepen the Scheme’s role in promoting national unity, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

Reflecting on the past year, the Director-General expressed pride in the collective efforts of NYSC staff, corps members and stakeholders whose dedication has driven the progress recorded.

With renewed commitment and strategic direction, the NYSC leadership believes the Scheme is well positioned to achieve even greater impact in shaping Nigeria’s future.

For Brigadier General Nafiu and the NYSC family, the message remains clear: the journey continues, driven by a shared belief that Nigeria’s unity and development remain the ultimate mission of the National Youth Service Corps.

Share on Facebook