Education, public accountability, international opportunities and cultural heritage dominated Monday’s headlines as the National Youth Service Corps introduced a mandatory NERD clearance requirement for prospective corps members, while the United Kingdom opened applications for its 2026 Chevening Scholarships.

Also making headlines were fresh twists in the controversial fake government agency scandal as the embattled Director-General denied wrongdoing and implicated more ministries, departments and agencies, while a TikTok content creator underwent traditional cleansing after filming the Oloolu masquerade procession in Oyo State, among others.

Here are the top stories:

1. FG mandates NERD clearance for NYSC mobilisation

The National Youth Service Corps has announced that all prospective corps members must present a compliance certificate from the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank before they can be mobilised for national service.