Zainab Abioye
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has disclosed that a university recovered through a forfeiture proceeding has been converted into a federal university, with 1,909 students already admitted and matriculated.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this on Friday in a post and video shared on his official X account, saying the development demonstrated how assets recovered from alleged criminal enterprises could be redirected towards public benefit.
Olukoyede identified the institution as the former NOK University campus in Kachia, Kaduna State, which was converted into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.
According to him, the institution recorded the matriculation of 1,909 students in December 2025.
He said the development had provided educational opportunities for young Nigerians who might otherwise have struggled to gain access to university education.
“A university seized from crime is now a federal university,” Olukoyede stated.
He added that the transformation was expected to stimulate economic activities in Kachia and the wider Southern Kaduna area through education, employment and other associated opportunities.
The EFCC chairman also disclosed that another high-value private university had recently been finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
Although he did not name the institution, he said the university, located in Kebbi State, had temporary and permanent campuses, while its vice-chancellor’s residence was particularly large.
The description corresponds with Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, whose permanent and temporary sites, a third site, radio station and vice-chancellor’s residence were reportedly subjected to a final forfeiture order secured by the EFCC on July 15, 2026.
The properties were linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation.
Giving an overview of the commission’s enforcement activities, Olukoyede said the EFCC secured the forfeiture of 10,053 assets between October 2023 and July 2026.
He said the recovered assets included real estate, land, vehicles, electronics, schools, factories, hotels, oil rigs, barges, machinery and aircraft.
The commission also recovered 102 tonnes of solid minerals during the period, according to the EFCC chairman.
Olukoyede said the disposal of some of the forfeited assets had so far generated N12.07bn for the Federal Government.
He argued that asset recovery should not be viewed merely as punishment for financial crimes but as a mechanism for protecting the economy, strengthening public revenue and discouraging criminal activities.
“This is what enforcement looks like when it moves beyond punishment. Every asset taken from a criminal enterprise lowers the reward for the next one and some of it comes back as a classroom,” he said.
The EFCC chairman further disclosed that the commission recovered N1.233tn during the period, in addition to funds recovered in foreign currencies.
He said the commission also secured 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026.
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