He explained that those involved were invited and asked to return the funds, with an arrangement allowing them to retain five per cent.

Atiku said, “We had records of what everyone had stolen. We called them, sat down with them, and told them to return what they had taken, while allowing them to keep five per cent.”

Atiku stated, “I chaired the committee, with Aliyu Gusau as a member. That was how we recovered money for Nigeria.”

Atiku also recalled Obasanjo’s initial reaction, saying the former president was angry when he assumed office in 1999.

He said he had to intervene and persuade Obasanjo that the government needed to approach the issue differently.

According to Atiku, the administration subsequently established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of its broader effort to institutionalise the fight against corruption.

Atiku added, “Later, we established the EFCC to fight corruption.

Trouble reportedly started shortly after Adeleke and his close aides had left the palace hall. Witnesses said gunshots suddenly rang out around the palace, prompting security personnel attached to the governor to respond.

An eyewitness said the suspected attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita-Olokan axis and opened fire around the palace.

The ensuing exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted several minutes before the assailants fled the area.

The attack caused panic among residents, traders and other people around the palace, with several business owners said to have hurriedly closed their shops and fled to safety.

A trader in the area claimed the attackers also damaged part of the palace gate during the incident.

The suspected gunmen reportedly moved towards the Osogbo Central Mosque area before making their escape through the Ita-Olokan axis of the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the attackers.

“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” Alimi said.

As of the time of filing this report, sporadic gunshots were still reportedly being heard around parts of the area, while security personnel maintained a presence around the palace and adjoining streets.

The incident has heightened concerns over security in the state, coming only days after the governorship election and amid heightened political activities ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.

Sources within the university system said the payment would benefit eligible staff across the affected institutions, although the timing of the crediting of individual accounts may vary from one institution to another.

The payment comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and stakeholders in the education sector to address workers’ welfare and improve industrial relations within the nation’s university system.

Further details on the payment, including the exact amount received by individual workers and the institutions that have completed disbursement, are expected to emerge as universities and their workers confirm receipt of the funds.