The Federal Government’s newly launched consumer credit scheme for digital devices, the Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices Programme, is now accepting applications from Nigerians seeking affordable, credit-based access to laptops, smartphones and tablets.

The programme, implemented by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, was unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, alongside CREDICORP’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Nwagba.

C.L.I.C.K.D. is designed to help Nigerians own digital devices through structured, spread-out payments rather than paying the full cost upfront, starting with locally assembled laptops as CREDICORP prioritises local manufacturing.

How to apply

1. Visit the website. Go to credicorp.ng/clickd, the official C.L.I.C.K.D. landing page.
2. Click “I’m Interested.” This takes you to the application form.
3. Fill in the required details:

• State of residence — select from all 36 states and the FCT.
• What best describes you — Employed (Salary Earner), Freelancer/Self-Employed, Business Owner, Student, Job Seeker or NYSC Member.
• Monthly income (optional) — ranges from below ₦100,000 to above ₦1,000,000.
• Digital talent programme — applicants indicate whether they are part of one, choosing from 3MTT, Andela Learning Community, Learn2Earn, ALX, HNG Internship, AltSchool Africa, Genesys Tech Hub or “Other.”
• Device needed — laptop, smartphone, tablet or other.
• Reason for the device — applicants can select multiple options, including learning and certifications, work/remote work, freelancing, business growth, school, software development, content creation or other.
• How you heard about C.L.I.C.K.D. — 3MTT, social media, friend or family, school, employer, Google search or other.
• Confirm and consent. Before submitting, applicants must tick three boxes: confirming the information provided is accurate, agreeing to be contacted regarding the application, and consenting to CREDICORP and its partners using their information to assess eligibility.
  Submit.

Who qualifies, for now

The current 1,000-laptop pilot is limited to fellows of the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, under which C.L.I.C.K.D. was launched as a national pilot.

Nwagba said the rollout began in Abuja, where 77 beneficiaries received devices, with the remaining laptops to be distributed to qualified fellows in other states in phases.

CREDICORP has a track record of this phased approach: its main consumer credit scheme launched in April 2024, targeting only federal civil servants before later widening its reach.

The application form’s coverage extends beyond 3MTT, listing Andela Learning Community, Learn2Earn, ALX Africa, HNG Internship, AltSchool Africa and Genesys Tech Hub as talent-programme options — suggesting these fellows may also be able to apply, even though CREDICORP’s public statements so far have referenced only 3MTT beneficiaries for the current 1,000-laptop batch.

CREDICORP has also yet to disclose the specific interest rates, repayment tenure or down-payment structure for C.L.I.C.K.D. loans.

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The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Tuesday declared 31 companies as winners of 37 oil and gas blocks under the 2025 Licensing Round, despite what the commission described as sustained threats and pressure mounted against members of its evaluation team before the conclusion of the exercise.

The successful conclusion of the commercial bid conference marked the end of an eight-month licensing process, with the winning firms now required to pay their signature bonuses and satisfy other post-award conditions within 90 days or risk forfeiting the assets to reserve bidders.

Speaking after the commercial bid conference in Abuja, the Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed that officials involved in evaluating the bids faced repeated intimidation throughout the process but refused to compromise the integrity of the exercise.

She said the threats persisted until the eve of the commercial bid opening. Eyesan said, “It has been a journey… If you have been told anything contrary to the fact that this process was going to be credible and transparent, do not believe it.”

Commending members of the evaluation committee, she added, “The evaluators have worked tirelessly since June 12. They have been inundated with calls and with threats, serious threats, but they stood their ground. Up until yesterday, we were still threatened, but we stood our ground to say that the times have changed. Nigeria is really open for business.”

She said President Bola Tinubu had mandated the commission to ensure a credible process and thanked the evaluators and observers from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative for supporting the exercise.

The commission announced that 31 companies emerged successful after 143 companies submitted about 200 bids for 37 oil and gas blocks out of the 50 assets offered during the licensing round.

The successful companies include SSonic Petroleum Limited, CFP Pipeline and Flowlines, Dutchford E&P Limited, Attabanson Global Company Limited, Rosem Energy Limited, Pivot-GIS Limited, Network E&P, Asharami, LexOil, BVOF, Gupsco Energy Limited, Saratoga, Volante, Concept-Reel Petroleum Services Limited, Clinton Oil Field, Nuway Oaklane Limited, Ramec Italia.

Others are Blueridge E&P, Up Energies Limited, AYM Shafa, Blackrock Holdings Limited, Funtay Integrated Business Limited, Riparian Development and Production Limited, Nikstallis, Stardeep Petroleum, Dakoda & U Limited, Southborne Oil and Gas Limited, Lanaka Petroleum, Highban Resources Limited and Eyre Energy Limited.

The commission explained that the successful companies had emerged only as preferred bidders and would receive Petroleum Prospecting Licences after meeting all statutory conditions under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Eyesan urged the winners to immediately commence the post-award process. She said, “These firms will only be presented final awards after the payment of the appropriate signature bonus and the approval of the Minister of Petroleum Resources in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.”

She warned that failure to fulfil the post-award conditions within 90 days would invalidate the awards, allowing the commission to invite reserve bidders.

The commission explained that the commercial bid process was designed to eliminate human interference through an automated weighted scoring system. Officials said technical evaluations had been completed before the commercial bids were opened publicly, while no one, including members of the evaluation team, had prior access to the commercial bids.

“The weighted score is 40 per cent. All these things are automated. The computer calculates everything. Nobody is using a pen to write any figures. This demonstrates the transparent, efficient and robust process built into this licensing round,” the commission stated.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the Petroleum Industry Act had ended the discretionary allocation of oil blocks in Nigeria. “The PIA, unfortunately for some people, has prevented discretionary allocation of oil blocks,” he said jokingly.

He stressed that the law guarantees fairness and credibility, assuring investors that no one knows the content of commercial bids before they are officially opened. Lokpobiri also warned successful bidders against treating licences as speculative assets.

“In the past, I have seen people go round conferences across the world carrying licences and looking for partners who never came. Those days must be over. The licences issued today must translate into actual field development and production,” he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the licensing round reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, competitiveness and credibility.

“The Federal Government remains firmly committed to creating an enabling environment that attracts investment, accelerates exploration and production, and unlocks the full value of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources,” Ekpo said.

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