The National Association of Kwara State Law Students (NAKLAS), National Headquarters, has filed a petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Command, over alleged opacity and suspected financial misconduct in the allocation of the Kwara State Government Law School Scholarship for the 2023/2024 regular and backlog batches.
In the petition dated January 9, 2026, and addressed to the EFCC Zonal Director in Ilorin, the association requested an urgent probe into the conduct of the Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education and the Kwara State Scholarship Board.
NAKLAS expressed worries over alleged procedural shortcomings, non-disclosure of vital details, and potential violations of due process in managing the scholarship programme.
NAKLAS, the umbrella organisation representing Kwara State law students studying across Nigeria and abroad, including those at the seven campuses of the Nigerian Law School, stated that after sustained advocacy, the Kwara State Government approved a scholarship award of ₦200,000 each for 241 law students.
The approval was reportedly granted by the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON.
However, the association alleged that despite assertions that funds were paid to 241 beneficiaries, issues persist regarding an extra 119 law students whose scholarship status remains reportedly uncertain.
According to NAKLAS, repeated requests for the complete list of beneficiaries and the names of students with unpaid entitlements have not been honoured by the appropriate authorities.
The association maintained that the continued refusal to release beneficiary information raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the proper use of public funds, leading to its decision to seek the EFCC’s intervention.
The issue has also reportedly drawn the attention of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch.
In a letter dated October 24, 2025, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Scholarship Board, the NBA requested the official list of the 241 beneficiaries, as well as the names of the 119 students whose payments were allegedly outstanding.
The NBA explained that access to the information was necessary for accurate documentation and to ensure compliance with due process and the Freedom of Information Act.
In its petition to the EFCC, NAKLAS called on the anti-graft agency to carry out a thorough investigation into the scholarship disbursement process, determine whether public funds were properly managed, and ensure accountability where required.
Reacting to the development, the Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Saadatu Modibo Kawu, said the matter had been brought to her attention.
She explained that the list of beneficiaries, containing their names, mobile numbers, and other relevant details, had already been submitted to her office by the Kwara State Scholarship Board.
According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Tertiary Education has forwarded the same list to the Executive Governor of Kwara State.
She added that the 241 beneficiaries listed were those who had registered with the Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA) and were required to provide their State Security Identification (SSID) numbers as a mandatory requirement for scholarship enrolment.
