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Reps Probe Alleged Diversions, Irregularities in Student Loan Scheme

Published

11 months ago

July 14, 2025

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has begun investigation into the alleged fund diversions, non-compliance, and unethical practices in the disbursement of the student loan scheme.

In his opening address at the public hearing on the matter, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, warned that diversion of the funds could derail one of the country’s most significant education interventions.

Speaker Abbas, said the legislature would not allow the student loan programme to be compromised by administrative lapses, regulatory weaknesses, or deliberate abuse of process.

“The credibility of the programme and the trust of the Nigerian people in public institutions are at stake. We cannot fold our arms and allow this to be swept under the carpet,” Abbas said.

The hearing, jointly conducted by the House Committee on Students Loans, seeks to investigate reports of delayed disbursements, lack of transparency, and possible collusion among key stakeholders.

Speaker Abbas described the probe as both a constitutional obligation and a moral responsibility to protect young Nigerians whose educational future depends on the integrity of the scheme.

Quoting Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Speaker said the House was empowered to investigate the conduct of any authority or agency responsible for implementing laws enacted by the National Assembly.

He further emphasised that the investigation is not a witch-hunt but a deliberate effort to identify weaknesses, correct procedural flaws, and ensure accountability in the management of public funds.

“The goal of this House is not to witch-hunt anyone, but to ensure that every kobo allocated to support Nigerian students is used judiciously and transparently”, he said.

Abbas who described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), established through the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, as one of the flagship initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, also noted that the programme has already processed over 600,000 applications and disbursed more than ₦73 billion to students across the country.

However, he warned that emerging reports of mismanagement threaten to derail what should be a transformative national intervention.

“This hearing is structured to verify the allegations, identify institutional or administrative flaws, and recommend appropriate corrective measures, including sanctions where necessary,” he said.

Chairman of the Committee, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, said the student loan initiative has rekindled hope for thousands of Nigerian families, with tangible results already being recorded.

The Chairman said that as of June 30, 2025, the sum of ₦73.1 billion had been disbursed to 366,247 student beneficiaries across federal and state tertiary institutions. Of this amount, ₦38.26 billion was allocated for tuition fees and ₦34.85 billion for upkeep allowances, covering over 206 institutions.

He credited Speaker Abbas for his leadership and commitment to transparency, which enabled the Joint Committee to create an impartial platform for accountability and reform.

“We are not out to witch-hunt anyone. Our objective is to ensure prudent accountability, improve the disbursement process, and add value to all stakeholders”, Rep. Ehindero stated.

In his submission, Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyer, said the Fund has received over 650,000 registrations and processes about 2,000 applications daily.

The NELFUND boss explained that all applications go through a verification process, and funds for successful applicants are paid directly to their respective institutions.

The House Committees are expected to hold further sessions to hear from key institutions, regulators, and affected students as they work toward restoring public confidence in the programme.

News

Insecurity: Gunmen abduct ex-Defence spokesperson Maj-Gen Rabe Abubakar, wife in Katsina

Published

6 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Suspected bandits have kidnapped retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife on Matazu Road in Katsina State.

Security sources told PRNigeria that the couple was ambushed on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, while travelling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car.

The gunmen intercepted the vehicle and whisked the retired officer and his wife to an unknown location.

The driver escaped with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, a security source said.

The former DDI and his wife were waylaid by armed men on the route. The driver escaped with gunshot injuries and is receiving medical attention,” the source stated.

Security forces have launched search-and-rescue operations and deployed intelligence assets to track the abductors, according to the source. Official confirmation from the military was still pending at press time.

—Rising concern in Katsina—

The abduction comes amid persistent insecurity in parts of Katsina despite ongoing military operations against bandit groups in the North-West.

In recent years, several serving and retired security personnel have been targeted on highways linking Katsina to neighbouring states. PRNigeria reports that criminal groups now see high-profile individuals, including retired military officers, as lucrative targets.

Maj-Gen Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information and was one of the Nigerian military’s most visible spokespersons during the counterinsurgency campaign against Boko Haram.

The incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security along major highways and rural communities in Katsina, where residents continue to face kidnapping and banditry.

Credit :PRNigeria

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Police nab two for attempted theft of two-week-old baby in Abia

Published

8 hours ago

May 30, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Abia State Police Command has nabbed two suspects for conspiracy, attempted child theft and possession of hard drugs.

The Command which made this known on Saturday, named the suspects as Nzubechi Chinagorom and Chinonso Chibundu, indigenes of Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the Abia State.

In a statement signed by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, the Command said its officers apprehended the suspects through actionable intelligence, in collaboration with Olokoro vigilante personnel.

She stated that the suspects went to the residence of one Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo and attempted to forcibly take away her two-week-old baby girl.

DSP Chinaka said that the Nzubechi Chinagorom allegedly stabbed the nursing mother with a kitchen knife during a struggle, causing the baby to fall and hit her head on ground.

The police spokesperson said that the two suspects fled from the scene and ran into a nearby bush on realizing that the nursing mother, Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo cried out for help.

She added that the suspects were later apprehended at a bus stop

where they had reportedly gone to take hard drugs.

“The mother and child were immediately rushed to the hospital, where they received treatment and have since recovered.

“The suspects were apprehended, exhibits were recovered and investigation has been conducted at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Suspects will be charged to court on 2/06/2026,” Chinaka said.

News

Former Labour Minister Ikenya wins Taraba PDP governorship primaries

Published

8 hours ago

May 30, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Ex-Minister of Labour and Productivity, SellJoel Ikenya, has been declared winner of the governorship primaries conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba State.

Mr Felix Hyat, the chairman of the election committee, who announced the results in Jalingo on Saturday, said Ikenya scored 34,173, to defeat Mr Dinshiya Usman, who polled 4,853.

Hyat, who described the exercise as free, fair and transparent, commended the state working committee of the party for the peaceful conduct.

Ikenya, in his acceptance speech, pledged to revive Taraba to her days of glory if elected governor in 2027.

“I will transform Taraba; I will change the state from salary base, to an industrialised state.

“My desire is to also revive the state infrastructure and attract more investors to boost the economy,” he said.

The governorship candidate, however, denied the allegations of factional PDP in Taraba.

“There is no factional PDP in Taraba; I don’t know where the other people are coming from.

“PDP in Taraba is one, and we do not have any faction in the state. We are working as one united family to reclaim our mandate from Gov. Agbu Kefas of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the Nyesom Wike led faction of the party had recently declared senator Emmanuel Bwacha as its governorship candidate in Taraba.

NAN