FG launches YouthCred to provide consumer credit to young Nigerians, starting with NYSC members

The Federal Government has officially launched YouthCred, a new consumer credit initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians with responsible access to credit, starting with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The launch follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day pledge on June 12, where he promised that 400,000 Nigerians, including youth corps members, would benefit from a government-backed credit intervention this July.

That promise materialised today as the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) unveiled the YouthCred program.

Described as Nigeria’s largest credit initiative for youth, YouthCred is designed to promote financial inclusion and build a credit culture among young people.

It kicks off with NYSC members, who will be required to complete a short digital credit education course before they can access tailored loans for personal or productive needs—ranging from relocation expenses to small business funding.

“YouthCred is more than just a loan program,” said CREDICORP in a statement. “It’s a cultural reorientation, giving young Nigerians a structured way to access credit, understand it, and begin building a financial reputation from the start of their adult lives.”

The initiative was preceded by a Strategic Planning and Debriefing Session with NYSC State Coordinators, during which CREDICORP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NYSC and trained officers from all 36 states on the YouthCred platform.

CREDICORP noted that this partnership ensures “institutional alignment” to deliver credit not merely as financial support but as a tool for economic transformation.

The platform is now live via www.youthcred.com, and the first set of loans will be disbursed to eligible corps members who have completed the onboarding process.

Subsequent phases of YouthCred will target other youth demographics, including entry-level professionals and youth-led enterprises, enabling broader access to credit that aligns with the financial realities of young Nigerians.

“YouthCred signals the beginning of a generational shift—one that recognises that financial trust must be earned early and that the Nigerian youth deserve the tools to thrive,” the statement added.

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