President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to channel funds recovered from financial crimes into Nigeria’s student loan scheme.

The directive is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen financing for students and expand access to higher education across the country.

The President gave the directive during a meeting with senior officials involved in the administration of the student loan programme, according to a report by THISDAY.

Recovered Funds to Support Students

Under the directive, funds recovered by the EFCC through its financial-crime investigations are expected to be transferred into the student loan scheme.

The move is intended to provide additional resources for the financing of eligible Nigerian students who require financial assistance to pursue tertiary education.

The student loan programme was introduced by the Federal Government as part of efforts to reduce financial barriers to higher education.

Tinubu Pushes Wider Access to Education

The President has repeatedly identified education and human capital development as important components of his administration’s agenda.

The student loan scheme is designed to enable students to access funding for tuition and other approved educational expenses, with repayment structured after beneficiaries complete their studies and begin earning income.

By directing recovered proceeds into the programme, the administration hopes to create an additional funding stream without relying solely on annual budgetary allocations.

EFCC’s Role in the Programme

The EFCC is responsible for investigating and recovering proceeds linked to economic and financial crimes.

The President’s directive effectively links some of those recovered resources to a social investment programme focused on education.

The move could also strengthen public confidence in the recovery of illicit funds by demonstrating how recovered assets can be redirected towards programmes that directly benefit citizens.

Student Loan Scheme Remains Government Priority

The Federal Government has continued to expand the student loan programme as part of its broader education reforms.

The initiative is expected to support students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and reduce the number of young Nigerians unable to pursue tertiary education because of financial constraints.

Tinubu’s latest directive signals an intention to use recovered public resources to support the sustainability of the programme.

The administration is expected to provide further details on the amount to be transferred, the implementation process and how the recovered funds will be deployed to beneficiaries.

The remains of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, will be laid to rest on Monday, August 24, 2026, in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State.

The burial arrangements were announced following the actor’s death on Sunday at the age of 66. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, and a family friend.

According to the burial arrangements, Ogogo’s remains will be taken to Ilaro, where a lying-in-state ceremony is scheduled to take place before his burial on Monday.

A separate announcement by the Ilaro Muslim Community indicated that the burial prayer for the late actor will take place at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground in Ilaro at 10 a.m. on Monday.

The development follows an emotional outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends, fans and members of the Yoruba film industry following the news of his death.

Ogogo had been battling stage-four cancer in the weeks preceding his death.

Earlier in August, his daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, publicly appealed for medical assistance, revealing the severity of his condition and seeking help from hospitals and cancer specialists.

The family had initially dismissed reports of his death when rumours circulated online on August 18, urging the public to disregard the unverified reports.

He was later confirmed dead on Sunday, August 23.

Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning more than four decades.

He worked as an actor, filmmaker, producer and screenwriter and became widely recognised for his performances in indigenous Nigerian productions.

His career included appearances in films such as Omo Ghetto, Anikulapo and Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre, among numerous other productions.

His contribution to Yoruba theatre and Nollywood earned him respect from colleagues across different generations of the Nigerian entertainment industry.

News of Ogogo’s death has triggered tributes from prominent members of the Nigerian film industry, who have described his passing as a major loss to Nollywood.

His long-time colleagues and friends, including veteran actors who worked alongside him for decades, have continued to mourn his contribution to the industry.

As the entertainment community prepares to accompany him on his final journey, attention will turn to Ilaro on Monday for the burial rites of one of Yoruba cinema’s most recognisable veterans.

Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ was 66.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted a 12-year-old Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States after calling at Nigerian ports, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola has announced.

The development ends a regime of additional security requirements that had affected vessels operating between Nigeria and the United States since June 25, 2014.

Under the former arrangement, vessels heading to the US that had visited designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls were subjected to additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before being allowed into American waters.

Oyetola said the decision followed significant improvements in Nigeria’s maritime security system and its implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The minister credited the achievement to collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), government agencies, port and terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.

According to Oyetola, the US Coast Guard conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s maritime security framework and port facilities between 2024 and 2026.

The assessments took place in March and April 2024, March 2025 and April 2026, with the findings showing improvements in Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime security standards.

The lifting of the restriction is expected to have implications beyond security compliance.

According to the minister, Nigerian ports could benefit from faster vessel turnaround times, improved shipping schedules and lower operational costs, as vessels will no longer face the additional requirements imposed specifically under the CoE.

The development could also make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping operators and potentially encourage greater shipping activity, trade and investment.

For more than a decade, the additional requirements had contributed to increased security and operational expenses for shipping companies, as well as extra inspections, documentation and delays.

Oyetola described the lifting of the restriction as an important milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector and an indication that the country’s efforts to improve port security are yielding results.

He also commended NIMASA Director-General Dayo Mobereola and his team for their contribution to the process.

The minister said the Federal Government would continue working to maintain the progress made and position Nigeria as a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.

The removal of the US restriction is therefore being seen as a significant development for Nigeria’s maritime industry, particularly as the country seeks to improve port efficiency and strengthen its role in international trade.