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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that it has disbursed a total of ?107.7 billion to 581,878 student beneficiaries across the country, in a move that is already reducing dropout rates and widening access to tertiary education.

According to the agency, the disbursement covered ?61.3 billion in institutional fees and ?46.3 billion in upkeep allowances.

By the close of the 2024/2025 academic session portal on September 30th, 2025, 846,462 applications had been received. The portal is scheduled to reopen in October for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director, NELFUND, emphasised that the loans are structured on zero interest, a decision taken to make the scheme more attractive in light of economic challenges and public scepticism towards borrowing.

‘Given the word ‘loan’ has often carried a negative perception in Nigeria, we deliberately chose to make this scheme interest-free. Our research showed that this would encourage more students to stay in school and pursue tertiary education,’ Sawyerr said.

He explained that before the establishment of NELFUND, many students who had spent three or four years in school were forced to drop out due to sudden financial setbacks in their families. The introduction of the scheme, he noted, has significantly reduced dropout rates and encouraged more young people to transition from secondary to tertiary education. The loan comes with flexible repayment terms. Beneficiaries are not required to make any repayments during their studies or national service year, with repayment obligations beginning two years after completion of the NYSC program.

For those in formal employment, employers are mandated to deduct 10% of the beneficiary’s salary and remit it to NELFUND. However, repayment halts if the individual loses their job, making it effectively a pay-as-you-earn scheme.

Sawyer also stressed that while the terms are soft, the scheme is not a grant. He urged students to be deliberate in choosing courses of study that are aligned with employability and national development needs.

‘The word ‘loan’ serves as a reminder that repayment is expected. We want beneficiaries to think carefully about their choices so they can secure careers that enable them to repay comfortably,’ he added.

He added that with its interest-free structure and supportive repayment plan, the NELFUND loan scheme is emerging as one of the softest and most student-friendly education finance initiatives, with early evidence showing positive impact on Nigeria’s education retention and access.

A large crowd has gathered at the General Yakubu Gowon Airport in Hiepan, Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State, in anticipation of the arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is visiting the state to attend the burial ceremony of Lydia Yilwada, mother of Nentawe Yilwada, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The president is also expected to meet with Christian leaders during his visit.

Security has been heightened around key locations in the city, particularly the airport and major roads leading to the town.

Party faithfuls, local residents, and political associates began trooping into Jos as early as Friday evening in what is shaping up to be a significant political event.

As part of his itinerary, President Tinubu is scheduled to address Christian leaders in a closed-door meeting expected to focus on national unity, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance. Political analysts view the engagement as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the president’s relationship with key blocs in the region.

Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State had assured a rousing welcome for the president.

Speaking on Friday at an alumni lecture at the University of Jos, the governor said, ‘The people of Plateau will come out en masse on Saturday to welcome Mr. President.’ He added that the visit was significant for the entire state.

This visit marks President Tinubu’s first official stop in Plateau State since assuming office, and it comes at a time of delicate political and religious dynamics in the North.

Observers say the event could set the tone for renewed political engagement between the federal government and Northern Christian communities.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports claiming he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties with Boko Haram, insisting his comments were misrepresented.

In a statement on Saturday by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he ‘never suggested or implied that Buhari had any connection with the terrorist group or supported it in any way.’

The controversy followed Jonathan’s remarks on Friday at the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor. During the event, Jonathan recalled that Boko Haram once nominated Buhari, his successor, to negotiate on their behalf with the federal government. Jonathan, who governed from 2010 to 2015, explained that the insurgents mentioned Buhari’s name after his administration set up committees for peace talks.

However, Garba Shehu, former spokesperson to Buhari, countered Jonathan’s comments, describing them as ‘false and politically motivated.’

Omar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, has called for sustained global commitment and predictable funding for peace support operations across Africa, stressing that peace and stability are indispensable for sustainable development.

Touray made the call while addressing world leaders at the first Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, held on September 24, 2025, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Speaking at the event, the ECOWAS President underscored the critical role of regional economic communities in driving integration, economic growth, and collective resilience in Africa.

He noted that lasting development can only thrive where stability prevails, urging development partners to prioritise consistent and adequate funding for peace missions on the continent. He further emphasised the importance of strengthening national and regional institutions, mobilising domestic resources, and promoting private sector participation to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.

Touray also called for the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms to help African nations tackle economic and social challenges more effectively.

Reaffirming ECOWAS’s commitment to global cooperation, Touray said the regional body remains dedicated to building strong partnerships that promote a people-centred and equitable international development agenda.

According to statement by the bloc, sustainable progress depends on solidarity, shared responsibility, and a renewed global focus on creating opportunities that leave no one behind.

Renowned Pan-Africanist and public intellectual, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, has issued a scathing critique of Africa’s persistent underdevelopment, questioning the continent’s ability to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in the absence of robust manufacturing and stable electricity. Delivering the keynote address at Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration hosted by Covenant Church in Lagos, Lumumba warned that Africa’s economic dreams risk becoming illusions unless leaders urgently tackle the continent’s energy and industrialisation crisis.

Lumumba, widely regarded for his fiery rhetoric on African unity and governance, told the audience that free trade without production is meaningless. ‘We speak of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, but I ask you, what shall we trade among ourselves if we do not manufacture?’ he said. ‘How shall we be competitive when the very foundation of modern civilisation electricity is epileptic not only in Nigeria but across Africa?’

The Kenyan lawyer and former director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission drew thunderous applause as he lamented Africa’s inability to provide stable power despite decades of investment and promises. ‘To provide stable power is not rocket science,’ he stressed. ‘Yet in our hotels, in our homes, in our industries, within an hour the lights go off. Who cursed us? Who bewitched us that we cannot supply our people with the basics of modern living?’

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, has long grappled with a power crisis that cripples productivity, inflates costs for businesses, and undermines quality of life. Despite generating more than 13,000 megawatts of electricity on paper, the country rarely distributes more than 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts to its 200 million citizens. Frequent blackouts force companies and households to rely on costly generators, while government after government has pledged reforms that rarely translate into results. Lumumba’s speech framed Nigeria’s plight as emblematic of the wider African problem.

‘Our tragedy,’ he argued, ‘is not lack of knowledge, but lack of will, lack of courage, and lack of leadership committed to Africa’s transformation.’ He reminded his listeners that other nations once at the same developmental stage have leapfrogged into industrial powers by prioritising energy and manufacturing. ‘When Asia was rising, she knew that without electricity, there is no industry, and without industry, there is no prosperity,’ he said. ‘Africa must wake up from her slumber, for the world will not wait for us.’

The professor further posed a series of questions that highlighted the contradictions in Africa’s current path. ‘If Africa cannot produce and manufacture at scale, what exactly will we trade under AfCFTA? Why has electricity a simple cornerstone of industrialisation remained unstable across Africa despite decades of promises and resources? Who benefits from keeping Africa in perpetual dependence and underdevelopment? Can we truly achieve economic liberation without first achieving energy independence?’

For many in the audience, Lumumba’s challenge resonated with Nigeria’s independence anniversary, a day meant to reflect on the nation’s journey since 1960. While Nigeria has achieved political sovereignty, its economic aspirations remain hampered by structural weaknesses. Lumumba urged Nigerians and Africans at large to see independence not merely as the lowering of colonial flags but as the pursuit of true self-sufficiency. ‘Sixty-five years of independence must mean more than annual celebrations. It must mean interrogating why Africa’s children still seek opportunities abroad, why our industries remain dormant, and why our power supply flickers like a candle in the wind,’ he said. Observers noted that his remarks touched on a sensitive but critical debate surrounding AfCFTA, which came into effect in 2021 with the goal of creating the world’s largest single market. While policymakers have hailed it as a historic step for economic integration, critics argue that without industrial capacity, Africa risks merely trading in raw materials and finished goods from abroad. Lumumba echoed these concerns, insisting that Africa cannot become competitive globally if it continues to import basic goods that it should be producing.

‘In the 21st century, we cannot be a continent that exports cocoa and imports chocolate, that exports crude oil and imports petrol, that exports cotton and imports shirts,’ he said. ‘That is not trade, that is dependency disguised as progress.’

The outspoken academic also appealed directly to Africa’s youth, describing them as the generation that must break the cycle of underdevelopment. ‘Young Africans must demand accountability. They must ask their leaders not only what they promise, but what they deliver. They must insist that electricity flows, that factories rise, that jobs are created, and that Africa manufactures, not merely consumes,’ he said.

As his speech concluded, Lumumba’s words drew both standing ovations and sober reflection from attendees. Many agreed that the questions he raised went beyond Nigeria’s Independence Day and touched the heart of Africa’s struggle for genuine development. ‘The future of AfCFTA, the future of Africa’s dignity, rests not in our rhetoric, but in our resolve to fix the fundamentals,’ he declared. ‘Without energy, there is no industry. Without industry, there is no wealth. Without wealth, there is no power. And without power, Africa shall remain a giant in chains.’

His remarks have since sparked debates on social media, with commentators praising his courage to call out Africa’s leadership failures. Others urged policymakers to heed his warning and move swiftly to resolve the continent’s electricity challenges as a prerequisite for meaningful economic growth.

At 65, Nigeria stands at a crossroads celebrating the progress of nationhood while confronting the realities of persistent underdevelopment. Lumumba’s message at Covenant Church was clear: Africa’s future cannot be outsourced, and its destiny will only be secured when it builds the infrastructure, industries, and energy systems necessary to sustain prosperity.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that the Boko Haram terrorist group once selected then-Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) as its preferred negotiator during back-channel peace efforts under his administration.

Jonathan made the revelation over the weekend in Abuja during the public presentation of Scars, a memoir written by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.).

He explained that while several committees were constituted by his government to explore dialogue with the insurgents, one of them reported that the group had nominated Buhari to represent them in talks with the Federal Government.

Boko Haram, which emerged in Borno State in the early 2000s, escalated its violent campaign following the death of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in police custody in 2009.

‘One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government,’ Jonathan said.

‘So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.’ The former president, who battled the insurgency for most of his tenure, said the fact that Boko Haram remained active under Buhari’s leadership suggested that the conflict was more complicated than often portrayed.

‘If you conduct research and interview many people, you will only get part of the story, but never the full story of Boko Haram,’ Jonathan said. ‘I thought that after I left, within a reasonable time, General Buhari would wipe them out. But even today, Boko Haram is still there. The issue of Boko Haram is far more complex than it is often presented.’

Jonathan said his government pursued multiple approaches to end the insurgency, including the use of committees and outreach initiatives, but none yielded lasting results.

He urged current leaders to rethink their counterinsurgency strategy and consider adopting a ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach that balances dialogue with military action.

He also dismissed the narrative that Boko Haram’s campaign was purely driven by poverty, pointing to the group’s access to sophisticated weaponry as evidence of external sponsorship. ‘If you look at the weapons they use and you value the weapons, then you know that these are not hungry people,’ he said. ‘Sometimes, they even have more ammunition than our soldiers.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday paid glowing tribute to the late Mama Lydia Yilwatda at her final interment service in COCIN church Jos, describing her as a ‘mother of the community, a mother of the state, and a humanitarian.’

The president, while addressing mourners and dignitaries, emphasised the need for national unity, religious harmony, and selfless leadership.

Speaking at the historic church where the funeral service was held, President Tinubu thanked the clergy for their role in promoting peace and moral values. ‘Hate is not an option for us. Love is what we must continue to preach-love for one another,’ he said, calling on Nigerians to embrace contentment, faith, and unity in honour of the values Mama Yilwatda represented.

Tinubu reflected on his own mother’s passing, recalling a personal experience that resonated with many in attendance. ‘When I buried my own mother, I found peace in her prayers’, he said.

‘The prayer of every mother is that her child succeeds-and you will’, Tinubu told Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman. He encouraged the bereaved family to celebrate Mama’s life with gratitude and peace.

The president also lauded Yilwatda, calling him ‘a great thinker, a progressive mind, and a performer.’ He said the overwhelming turnout of governors, public officials, and dignitaries at the funeral was a testament to the chairman’s character and the legacy of his late mother.

Recalling his political roots in Plateau State, Tinubu mentioned past meetings during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) days at the home of Ambassador Goshwe, noting that those discussions helped shape the nation’s democratic journey.

‘I am grateful to God that I am alive today and privileged to serve as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.

The president further reaffirmed his belief in religious freedom, citing his interfaith marriage as an example of tolerance and harmony.

‘I was raised in a Muslim family, and my wife is a pastor who prays for me always. We may differ in faith, but we pray to the same Almighty God’, he said.

Tinubu prayed for the repose of Mama Yilwatda’s soul and comfort for her family and the Plateau community.

‘May the Almighty God accept the soul of Mama Lydia Yilwatda and grant blessings and comfort to all she left behind,’ he added.

The Pan-African Business Forum (PABF) has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to suspend its ongoing investigation into Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan KC, warning that the process risks damaging the court’s credibility and fairness.

In a petition delivered in The Hague to Ambassador Päivi Kaukoranta, President of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, PABF Chairman said the organisation had ‘profound concerns’ about the impartiality of the inquiry. Khan, who became ICC prosecutor in 2021, has been on leave since late last year following sexual misconduct allegations. His deputies are currently leading the Office of the Prosecutor while the external investigation continues.

The forum alleged that the process lacks transparency, citing whistle-blower claims that members of the ICC Bureau – which oversees parts of the court’s administration – may have been compromised. It accused a Ugandan diplomat of ‘intense lobbying for succession,’ including inappropriate contact with the complainant at the centre of the allegations. According to PABF, recordings in its possession suggest the diplomat had already taken a stance against Khan before the inquiry began. ‘These developments risk undermining not only the integrity of the Court but also wider confidence in multilateral institutions at a time of global instability,’ the group said.

PABF called for the suspension of the investigation to allow independent verification of its claims. It demanded that the inquiry determine whether the complainants or any individuals linked to the case had direct or indirect contact with ICC Bureau members, and whether the Court’s leadership had been influenced by lobbying. The petition also flagged issues of ‘improper disclosure, disparaging commentary, sanctions and intimidation,’ which it said required urgent attention.

While reaffirming its support for the ICC’s mission, the PABF warned that the Court’s credibility ‘is now under strain’ and urged decisive steps to ‘restore confidence and safeguard the Court’s integrity.’

The Nigeria Police Force has said it is yet to be officially served with the order of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, which reportedly directed the police to suspend enforcement of the vehicle tinted-glass permit.

Benjamin Hundeyin, force Public Relations Officer, CSP, made the clarification on Saturday while reacting to widespread reports that the court had restrained the police from arresting or prosecuting motorists over tinted windows.

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Warri granted an interim order in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025: John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector-General of Police and Nigeria Police Force, directing the police to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive case.

The order effectively halted any form of enforcement or prosecution related to tinted-glass permits until the court delivers a final judgment on the matter.

However, Hundeyin, in a statement released via his official social media handle, said the police had not yet received formal service of the court order. He also faulted selective reporting of the ruling, saying Nigerians deserved full context rather than a partial interpretation of the court’s directives.

‘While we have not been officially served the court order you’re making reference to, let me, in the meantime, show point number eight (of the same order) since you left that part out and focused only on point number six. Nigerians deserve a complete picture, not a skewed one,’ the post stated.

The response came after Inibehe Effiong,

human rights lawyer, shared a portion of the ruling online, highlighting the court’s directive that the police should stop arresting or prosecuting motorists over tinted-glass permits.

The controversy follows last year’s decision by the police to resume the issuance of tinted-glass permits under the Police Specialized Services Automation Project (POSSAP) in April 2023, after the scheme was suspended in 2022 due to public complaints about extortion and abuse.

The ongoing legal challenge, filed by John Aikpokpo-Martins, questions the legality of the police’s enforcement actions and seeks judicial interpretation on whether the permit scheme aligns with the constitutional rights of motorists.

As of Saturday, the police maintained that they would await official service of the court order before taking any further steps or issuing a directive to commands nationwide.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied claims that it is currently facing any internal crisis, insisting that what many people see as confusion is simply a misunderstanding of roles within the party.

In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the main opposition party explained that there is no leadership tussle, adding that the duties of its suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, are limited to handling minor administrative issues such as diesel supply and parking space allocation at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Ologunagba said recent media reports suggesting a rift among party leaders are exaggerated and do not reflect the true situation. According to him, the PDP remains united and focused on repositioning itself ahead of future elections.

Ologunagba explained that the situation, being described as a crisis, was merely a misunderstanding about who is responsible for what in the day-to-day running of the party. He said some people may have misinterpreted normal administrative functions as a power struggle.

‘There is no crisis in our great party. What we have is a simple issue of clarification about who performs certain administrative roles,’ he said. ‘Senator Anyanwu’s functions have been clearly defined. He is only to oversee logistical issues like diesel supply and parking arrangements within the party secretariat. There is no confusion about that.’

The PDP spokesman emphasised that the National Working Committee (NWC) remains intact and that all its members are working harmoniously. He said any story suggesting division is being spread by political opponents who are uncomfortable with the party’s growing popularity.

Ologunagba accused some media outlets of sensationalising routine party matters, saying that journalists should be more careful when reporting internal issues. ‘Some reports have blown things out of proportion. The PDP is not at war with itself,’ he said. ‘The so-called crisis is simply an administrative adjustment which happens in every organisation. We are united, strong, and ready to serve Nigerians better.’

He added that the party’s leadership has continued to meet regularly to deliberate on national issues and to strengthen its structure across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The controversy around Senator Samuel Anyanwu began when he was suspended as National Secretary of the PDP earlier in the year following his participation in the Imo State governorship election. Party sources had alleged that Anyanwu’s involvement in state-level politics affected his duties at the national level, prompting the leadership to reassign certain responsibilities.

However, Ologunagba clarified that the party has moved past that episode and that Anyanwu’s current role does not interfere with the functions of the acting National Secretary. He noted that every political organisation experiences moments of internal adjustment, but such situations should not be mistaken for full-blown crises. ‘Senator Anyanwu’s matter has been resolved within the framework of party discipline. He continues to handle assigned administrative functions, and there is no tension about that,’ Ologunagba stated.

The PDP used the opportunity to reassure its members nationwide that the party remains solidly united under the leadership of its National Chairman, Umar Damagum. Ologunagba said the party is more concerned about rebuilding and reclaiming power in the upcoming elections rather than engaging in internal wrangling.

He urged party members, especially at the grassroots level, to ignore fake news and remain focused on the bigger goal of returning the PDP to national leadership. ‘Our focus is on strengthening the party’s base, resolving minor differences, and preparing for the 2027 elections,’ he said. ‘We are working together to restore hope to Nigerians who are disappointed with the current administration.’

The PDP spokesperson accused rival parties of sponsoring misleading stories to create the impression that the PDP is in disarray. He claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is particularly threatened by the renewed unity within the PDP, especially as the opposition begins consultations ahead of the next general election.

‘The APC knows that the PDP is their only real competition,’ Ologunagba said. ‘That is why they are trying to plant stories about imaginary crises. Nigerians are wiser now; they know who truly represents their interests.’

Ologunagba concluded that the PDP’s National Working Committee remains focused on delivering good leadership within the party and supporting democratic values in the country. He emphasised that the PDP will continue to play its role as the main opposition by holding the government accountable and proposing policies that improve citizens’ welfare.

‘The PDP is not distracted,’ he declared. ‘We are doing what Nigerians expect of us, speaking truth to power and preparing to provide better leadership when the opportunity comes.’

In summary, the PDP says there is no crisis in its ranks, only a misunderstanding of duties that has been exaggerated by the media and political rivals. The party maintains that Senator Anyanwu’s responsibilities are limited to simple administrative matters like diesel management and parking supervision at the secretariat, nothing more.

Ologunagba’s message is clear: the PDP is stable, united, and ready to take on the challenge of rebuilding Nigeria. At a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, and political fatigue, the party says it is focused on providing Nigerians with a credible alternative-not on fighting internal battles.