The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised serious concerns about the alleged neglect of Nigerian students studying in Morocco under government-sponsored scholarship schemes.

The student body said it was responding to a viral video showing Nigerian scholarship beneficiaries stranded in Morocco, where they accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of leaving them to face hardship, homelessness, and lack of medical care.

In a statement obtained by The Guardian on Wednesday, and signed by the Vice President (External Affairs) of NANS, Kenechukwu Aneke, the association demanded the immediate repatriation and welfare intervention for all affected Nigerian students in Morocco and in other countries experiencing similar challenges.

NANS also called for a thorough probe into the alleged mismanagement of scholarship funds and accountability for officials found culpable. The association further demanded the prompt payment of all outstanding stipends, accommodation fees, and allowances, alongside a comprehensive overhaul of the overseas scholarship programme to prevent a recurrence.

The statement read: “These students, sent abroad under scholarship programmes with allocated budgets, have been left to fend for themselves without adequate support, resulting in dehumanising conditions where they are forced to beg for money nightly to feed themselves. Tragically, one of the students, Bashir Malami, has reportedly died under these circumstances — a loss that underscores the grave consequences of neglect and administrative failure.

“NANS views this as a blatant betrayal of trust by the relevant authorities, including the office responsible for overseas scholarships under the Federal Ministry of Education. It is unacceptable that funds budgeted for these programmes are not being properly utilised, leaving young Nigerians, the future leaders of our nation exposed to hunger, destitution, and danger in a foreign land.

“The education and welfare of Nigerian students, whether at home or abroad, must not be treated with levity. The government has a sacred duty to protect its citizens, especially those it has sent abroad on national assignments. NANS stands in solidarity with these suffering students and their families. We will not relent until justice is served and their dignity is restored.”

While condemning the alleged neglect, Aneke urged President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Federal Scholarship Board, and other relevant authorities to take immediate action.

He warned that sustained neglect of Nigerian students overseas could harm Nigeria’s international image and erode trust in government-funded education initiatives.

The statement emphasised that scholarship schemes are intended to offer opportunity and security, not subject beneficiaries to hardship and uncertainty. It also appealed to Nigerian diplomatic missions in Morocco and other affected countries to urgently engage with the students, provide emergency assistance, and submit accurate situation reports to the Federal Government.

In response, the Federal Government dismissed the claims as false, baseless, and deliberately misleading.

A statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, maintained that no Nigerian student on a legitimate Federal Government scholarship had been abandoned.

“All beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with the Federal Government’s obligations,” Boriowo stated.

She explained that any delays in outstanding payments were due to fiscal challenges and were being resolved through ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

The statement also quoted the Minister of Education as saying that no new bilateral scholarship awards were granted in October 2025 or at any time afterward, adding that documents circulating online to suggest otherwise were fake, unauthenticated, and intended to mislead the public and discredit government policy.

Dr Alausa said the decision to end government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed an extensive policy review, which concluded that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education now have adequate capacity to offer the affected programmes locally.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed that 57 properties valued at about ₦213.2 billion be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.

The order followed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive after considering an ex parte motion moved by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
The properties, which are currently under investigation, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly connected to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The properties are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.
Although the ruling was delivered on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) sighted a certified true copy of the order on Wednesday.

In delivering his decision, Justice Nwite stated:
“It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

The judge also ordered that the interim forfeiture be published in a national daily newspaper.

He directed that any individual or organisation claiming an interest in the listed properties should, within 14 days of publication, show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be granted.

The case was adjourned to a later date for the court to receive a report on compliance with the publication directive.

The properties listed in the court order include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja, bought in December 2022 for ₦500 million and later valued at about ₦5.95 billion after upgrades.

Also listed is a two-winged storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited, purchased in December 2018 for ₦7 billion.

Another property is Plot 683 in Jabi District, Abuja, consisting of a five-storey building now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 53 rooms, acquired in September 2020 at carcass stage for ₦850 million, with an additional ₦300 million paid to secure possession.

Property No. 3130 in Asokoro District, Abuja, comprising terrace buildings, was purchased in January 2021 for ₦360 million.

A property at No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, currently operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 15 rooms, was bought in February 2018 for ₦430 million and later valued at about ₦12.95 billion after renovation.

Also included is Plot No. 1241B in Asokoro District, Abuja, acquired in July 2021 for ₦325 million.

The list further includes Shop No. C82 at Citiscape–Shariff Plaza on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 for ₦120 million.

A residential property at No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, was acquired in December 2022 for ₦300 million.

Plot 157 on Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, was purchased in July 2019.
A plaza with commercial facilities near Birnin Kebbi Market was bought in 2021 for ₦100 million.

One hundred hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road were acquired in 2020 for ₦100 million.
A four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, was purchased in 2023 for ₦101 million.

Other properties include Shops A36 and B3 at Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, bought in July 2023 for ₦158 million.

A property at No. 26 Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja, was purchased in 2022 for ₦136 million.
Another property at No. 27 EFAB Estates Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, was acquired in January 2016 for ₦120 million.

A four-bedroom bungalow with boys’ quarters at No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, was bought in January 2018 for ₦40 million.

Plot No. 13 at IPENT 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, was purchased in June 2018 for ₦85 million.
A bedroom duplex with boys’ quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Wuse II, Abuja, was acquired in October 2018 for ₦150 million.

Two warehouse shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, were purchased in July 2020 for ₦50 million.
Twin houses at Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja, were acquired between February and May 2017 for ₦250 million.

Also listed are properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi.

These include nine three-bedroom bungalows, three two-bedroom bungalows and 5.4 hectares of land, purchased between February and September 2023 for ₦187 million.
Additional assets were included in the schedule attached to the court order.

Mr Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are currently facing trial before Justice Nwite over an alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering case filed by the EFCC.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, lists the former minister, his wife, his son and an employee of a company linked to him as defendants.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants engaged in suspicious financial transactions and attempted to disguise the source of funds through bank accounts and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi between 2015 and 2025.

All the defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the case is still pending before the court.
The interim forfeiture order does not constitute a final decision on ownership or guilt, as all parties retain the right to present their defence.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced that it will press ahead with its investigation into Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the former Authority Chief Executive and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), even after the petition against him was withdrawn.

The anti-corruption agency revealed that it received a letter dated January 5, 2026, titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,’ from Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, who serve as legal representatives to Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

This position was communicated in a statement issued late on Wednesday night by the ICPC’s Spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey.

According to the Commission, the letter informed it that the petitioner had fully withdrawn the petition dated December 16, 2025, and noted that another law enforcement agency had assumed responsibility for the matter.

Odey said, “The letter from O.J Onoja SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.

“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.

“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.”

The Commission reiterated its resolve to discharge its anti-corruption responsibilities, stressing that the case would be handled strictly in line with the law and in the overall interest of the Nigerian state.

Fresh distress has engulfed hundreds of traders at Lagos’ historic Balogun Market following the sudden demolition of shops, allegedly carried out without prior notice. Bulldozers moved in while goods and personal belongings remained locked inside many of the structures, deepening the trauma of traders still recovering from the devastating Christmas Eve fire of December 24, 2025.

Viral videos circulating on social media show chaotic scenes at the market: heavy-duty machinery tearing through shops, clouds of tear gas hanging in the air, and distraught traders pleading with authorities for access to salvage their livelihoods. The development has shocked Nigerians nationwide, reigniting debates around urban renewal and government accountability.

In one emotional video, a female trader confronts officials amid tears, alleging that no notice was issued before the demolition. She claimed that many shop owners were away for the Christmas holidays when the operation began, leaving their goods trapped inside. According to her, tear gas was deployed, preventing traders from retrieving their belongings.

Another trader described the situation as a “double tragedy,” noting that many victims were only beginning to recover from the recent fire outbreak that destroyed properties worth billions of naira and claimed several lives. “Now, without any warning, our shops are being demolished with our goods inside,” the trader lamented.

The demolitions follow the tragic inferno at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building, which reportedly killed at least eight people, trapped others beneath rubble, and caused massive economic losses. In response, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered the demolition of the burnt structure and adjoining buildings deemed structurally unsafe, while sealing off the area to prevent further casualties.

However, traders insist that the ongoing demolition has extended beyond the officially declared unsafe zone, affecting additional shops and catching many off-guard during the post-holiday period. Balogun Market, one of Lagos’ oldest and busiest commercial centres, remains partially sealed, with traders warning that the prolonged closure has severely crippled their businesses.

Public outrage has since flooded social media, with calls for compensation, transparent engagement with traders, and a more humane approach to urban safety enforcement. Many Nigerians are questioning the timing and execution of the demolitions, especially so soon after the fire tragedy.

As the dust and tear gas settles, the Balogun Market crisis has once again brought national attention to critical issues of urban safety, trader welfare, and the need for compassionate urban renewal policies in Nigeria’s economic capital.