Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated an investigation into alleged discrepancies in the disbursement of student loans under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund).

The investigation was prompted by a recent media report claiming that 51 tertiary institutions were involved in illegal deductions and exploitation related to the NELFund scheme.

These institutions allegedly made unauthorised deductions ranging from N3,500 to N30,000 from each student’s institutional fees received through the loan fund.

A statement yesterday by ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said preliminary findings had revealed a significant gap in the financial records of the disbursement process.

He noted that while the federal government  released N100 billion for the scheme, only N28.8 billion was disbursed to students, leaving an unaccounted sum of N71.2 billion.

Bakare said commission’s chairman’s special task force immediately began its investigation upon receiving the report.

He said letters of investigation and invitations were sent to key stakeholders, including the director general of the budget office, the accountant general of the federation, and senior officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Bakare said Akintunde Sawyerr, the managing director of NELFund, has also been invited to provide documentation and explanations relevant to the case.

According to the ICPC, the total money received by NELFund as of March 19, 2024, was N203.8 billion.

“The breakdown showed that N10 billion was an allocation from the Federation Allocation Account Committee, N50 billion was from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, N71.9 billion was from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, while another N71.9 billion was also from the same Tertiary Education Trust Fund,” the statement reads.

“The ICPC found that the total amount disbursed to institutions from inception to date is about N44,200,933,649.00, with 299 institutions having benefited from the funds released. To date, the total amount disbursed to 299 beneficiary institutions stands at approximately N44.2 billion, with 293,178 students having benefited from the fund.

“The ICPC confirmed that a clear case of discrepancies has been established in the administration of the student loan scheme and announced that its investigation will now extend to beneficiary institutions and individual student recipients.”

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Oyo State Council said  state-owned tertiary institutions, judiciary and some Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, are yet to receive the new minimum wage.

Chairman of the council, Mr Kayode Martins stated this during the 2025 Workers Day celebration in Ibadan, on Thursday.

Martins said though Governor Seyi Makinde had approved N80,000 as minimum wage which have been paid to some workers,  the approval  requires the increment of subvention for some MDAs, state owned tertiary institutions and the judiciary for them to be able to pay the new wage.

“As we are talking, some MDAs, judiciary and state tertiary institutions are finding it difficult to pay the increment in salary, as a result of the approval of N80,000 as new minimum wage, even  retirees have not been enjoying it too.

“We want the state government and other authorities to take note  and act on it,” he said.

Martins, however, appreciated the Oyo State government for paying N80,000 minimum wage, an amount higher than the one approved by the federal government for workers.

He  said the new minimum wage is no longer enough for workers due to some policies of  government which had caused hardship. 

The chairman said the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration was to call the attention of the federal government to the hardship faced by workers and citizens in the country.

Also speaking, State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Mr Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro said Nigerians are currently experiencing hardship due to the policies of the Bola Tinubu-led administration.

Olabiyi-Agoro said the organised unions in the country would not relent in fighting for the rights of workers and citizens. 

He called on government at all levels to prioritise education, welfare and protection of citizens.

Olabiyi-Agoro said the union would not act as an antagonist to the favourable policies of government and would continue to provide useful advice.

State Secretary of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Dr Olusegun Abatan commended Governor Makinde for approving the review of pension.

Abatan said the review had placed  pensioners in Oyo State as one of the highest paid  in Nigeria.

Speaking, Governor Makinde represented by his Deputy, Adebayo Lawal, pledged his commitment  to the welfare of workers  and promised not to marginalise them in the scheme of things.

Makinde, who reeled out his achievements to workers since assuming office to include prompt payment of salary, promotion among others, said government would continue to support and create a conducive environment for workers to discharge their duties effectively.

“We are committed to eliminating backlog of arrears workers and ensure that workers are given their dues,” he said. (NAN)

Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru  has announced N10, 000 May Day celebration gift to  workers in the state.

Nwifuru made the disclosure at the May Day celebration in Abakaliki, on Thursday. 

The governor described the workers as the “engine room” of government and pledged his continued support to their well-being.

“According to him, I will remain indebted to  workers in the state and under my watch, they will remain a symbol of excellency.

“Today’s May Day celebration is the reflection of workers contributions to  nation building.

“I understand the challenges you face; my administration is committed to tackling them. We are committed to promoting a conducive civic space for workers.

“We must stay together as partners in progress for a better Ebonyi,” he said.

Earlier, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Professor Ogugua Egwu, and his Trade Union Congress, TUC, counterpart, Mr Chidi Igboji, in a joint address, commended Nwifuru especially on the implementation of the N75, 000 minimum wage.

On the unions demand from the governor, they expressed worry over the delay to deploy shuttle busses to the state secretariat, Centenary City.

“Workers in the state are in serious need of housing  due to the high cost of rentage in the state. Provide more housing estates for our members.

“There is the need to increase the pension of retirees as it is obtainable in other parts of the country. Equip government offices in the secretariat among others,” the organised labour union added.

FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY 

Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has increased the minimum wage for Edo State workers from N70, 000 to N75,000 to  improve their standard of living.

Okpebholo made the announcement while delivering his May Day speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

While appreciating the contributions of workers to the growth and development of Edo State, the governor  said his administration would always seek ways to improve the welfare of workers.

Okpebholo noted that May 1 is a special day set aside to honour the hardworking men and women who keep the state moving forward as they support their families with dignity and strength.

“Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for Edo workers.

“It is our way of saying thank you. We believe that this will make a real difference, and in return, we count on your renewed dedication as we build a better Edo together,” the governor said.

He stated  that the recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical staff for hospitals and the regularised 126 contract staff at Edo State Specialist Hospital will strengthen the health system and also improve job stability for health professionals.

The governor also   disclosed that his administration had cleared outstanding salary arrears owed  Edo State Polytechnic staff. 

He promised   timely payment of salaries and pension; steady recruitment where needed to improve service delivery; staff welfare and development and ensuring that Edo workers are treated with dignity and fairness.

Speaking, the Acting State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide commended the governor for the  implementation of laudable policies and programmes towards alleviating the suffering and hardship faced by  workers and pensioners.

He noted that the theme, ‘Reclaiming the Civil Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,’ is apt and thought provoking, as it bordered on the very serious challenges faced by workers and the people as a result of the present day economic hardship in the country.

Egwekhide thanked the Okpebholo-led administration for taking the welfare of Edo workers  seriously and embarking on interventions that, to a great extent, enabled workers  to enjoy their civil rights.