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Only N44.2bn disbursed from N203.8bn student loan fund – ICPC probes schools

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered major discrepancies in the administration of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), revealing that only ₦44.2 billion of the ₦203.8 billion allocated for student loans has so far been disbursed.

This was contained in a statement signed by Demola Bakare,
Spokesperson for the Commission on Thursday.

According to the statement, the Commission confirmed it has launched a comprehensive investigation into the disbursement process, following media reports that 51 tertiary institutions were implicated in unauthorized deductions and exploitation of students.

The ICPC noted that some institutions were allegedly deducting between ₦3,500 and ₦30,000 from students’ institutional fees funded through the NELFUND scheme.

According to the Commission, preliminary findings showed that while the Federal Government allocated ₦100 billion for the programme, only ₦28.8 billion was initially disbursed, raising concerns about a missing ₦71.2 billion.

However, upon further investigation, the ICPC revealed that the total amount received by NELFUND as of March 19, 2023, was actually ₦203.8 billion.

“The breakdown showed that ₦10 billion was from the Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC), ₦50 billion came from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ₦71.9 billion was from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and another ₦71.9 billion was also from TETFund,” the Commission said.

Out of this amount, only ₦44.2 billion has been disbursed to date, benefiting 293,178 students across 299 tertiary institutions.

“A clear case of discrepancies has been established in the administration of the student loan scheme,” the statement read.

The Commission confirmed that its Chairman’s Special Task Force had dispatched letters of investigation to several stakeholders, including the Director General of the Budget Office, the Accountant General of the Federation, and senior officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria. It also invited the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of NELFUND to provide documentation.

“The responses received were critically analyzed, and interviews were conducted with the concerned individuals,” the ICPC added.

It stated that the probe has now been expanded to cover both beneficiary institutions and individual student recipients to determine the full extent of the anomalies.

The statement further stated that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

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Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya Set To Get A Vice President For The First Time In His 43-Year Rule

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Cameroon’s president, Paul Biya, is set to get a vice president for the first time in his four-decade rule, following controversial constitutional changes backed by the parliament.

In a ‌joint session of the ruling party-dominated National Assembly and Senate, lawmakers voted 200 to 18 in favour, with four abstentions, to pass the bill.

The bill stipulates that the vice president will ​automatically assume the presidency if President Paul Biya dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated.

Biya, ​93, has led the Central African country since 1982 and is the world’s oldest serving head of state. Public discussion about ​his health is banned.

According to the legislation, a copy of which was seen by ​Reuters, the vice president will be appointed and dismissed by the president, serving for the remainder of the president’s seven-year term.

However, the interim leader would be prohibited from initiating constitutional changes or ​running in a subsequent election.

Prior to the amendment, the constitution designated the leader of the Senate to briefly take over in case the sitting president d!es or is incapacitated. An election would then be held.

The Social Democratic Front (SDF) party, which has six representatives in parliament, boycotted the vote. It had pushed for a revision in favour of the vice-president being jointly elected with the president, rather than appointed.

The party also sought a constitutional provision that reflects the linguistic split between English and French-speaking regions. The SDF wanted the nation’s top two posts to be shared between Cameroon’s two communities, which was the position before 1972.

“This constitutional reform could have been a moment of political courage, but it is nothing less than a missed historic opportunity,” SDF chairman Joshua Osih said.

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Nigerians Expect Everything Free, Roads And Light, But Don’t Want To Pay Tax — Minister Wike

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has highlighted the ongoing challenges of tax collection, pointing out the disparity between citizens’ expectations and the reality of government revenue.

Speaking with TVC NEWS live, he stressed that while Nigerians expect quality infrastructure and services, there is widespread reluctance to contribute through taxes.

On the difficulty of generating revenue, Wike said: “To collect tax, you know it’s not an easy thing. I don’t know how many of you here like to pay tax. Nigerians want everything for free. They want road, they want light. It is not easy.”

He further stated; “When I came to Abuja we were about 8, 9 billion. The money we get from the federal government is 1% of the allocation of federal government. So if federal government gets 1 trillion for example, they’ll give us one percent which is ten billion naira and that cannot carry the society. Our salary in a month is not less than 12–13 billion, so we must augment. How do we augment?”

Addressing public criticism, he added: “There’s no ab¥se that any politician has received than me. I think after the president, I’m the highest ab¥sed. There’s nothing we do that we won’t get ab¥sed. Well, what is important to me is that I want to be concentrated to do the job.”

On oversight and accountability, Wike explained how closely he monitors the finances: “The money we have gotten from tax challenge me, minister FCT, what are you doing? I’ll show you as I sit here.”

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Police Arrest Pastor, Islamic Cleric And One Other Over Possession Of Human Parts In Oyo

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The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended three suspects, including a pastor and an Islamic cleric, for allegedly possessing human body parts in Ibadan.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on 24th March, 2026.

According to the PPRO, a patrol team intercepted an unregistered motorcycle and arrested the rider.

Upon searching the pillion, a package containing human intestine was recovered.

The suspect confessed that he had obtained the items from an unknown individual and sells them to one Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo.

Onaolapo and Ayodele were subsequently tracked and arrested.

The duo confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.

“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of a recent arrest involving the unlawful possession and sale of suspected human parts in Ibadan, highlighting the Command’s commitment to proactive policing and the protection of lives and public health,” the statement read

“In line with its proactive measures to rid the state of criminal activities, the Command routinely conducts stop-and-search operations, which serve as a key strategy for detecting and preventing illegal acts before they escalate.

“It was during one such operation along Adekile area of Agugu that a patrol team intercepted an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.

“During a search of the pillion, the rider was apprehended on the spot, and a package containing flesh suspected to be human parts (intestine) was recovered.

“Following this discovery, the apprehended pillion rider, identified as Oyategbe Joseph, male, of Ibadan, was interrogated.

“He confessed that he had obtained the suspected human parts from an unknown individual at Oritaperin area and further admitted to selling the items to two persons: Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo, male, aged 46 years, and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo, male, aged 55 years.

“Acting promptly on this intelligence, the Command swiftly apprehended Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo and brought them to the station for interrogation.

“Both suspects confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.

“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a discreet and thorough investigation.

“Upon the conclusion of investigations, all suspects will be charged to court.

“As a result of these coordinated actions, all three suspects are currently in police custody, and the Command reassures the public that every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that those involved are brought to justice.

“In conclusion, the Oyo State Police Command appeals to members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report any information regarding the possession or sale of human parts to the nearest police station or security agency, emphasizing that community cooperation remains critical in maintaining law and order.”

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