The National Association of Nigerian Students, Turkish Zone, has called on the Senate to broaden the scope of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to cover eligible Nigerians pursuing higher education at accredited institutions outside the country.
The Punch reported that the appeal was made during a meeting between representatives of the association and the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Anthony Siyako Yaro.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NANS Turkish Zone President, Daniel Okpala, said the delegation used the engagement to draw attention to the welfare concerns and financial difficulties affecting Nigerian students in the diaspora.
Okpala said the growing number of Nigerians seeking educational opportunities overseas made it necessary for the government to reconsider its existing education financing policies.
“The increasing number of Nigerians pursuing higher education abroad requires corresponding attention from government in its education financing policies,” he said.
The students’ body specifically requested a review of the current NELFUND framework to allow qualified Nigerians studying at accredited foreign institutions to access government-backed educational loans.
NANS said students abroad were increasingly struggling with the rising cost of tuition, accommodation and the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
The association maintained that Nigerians should not be excluded from government educational assistance because they chose to study outside the country.
“Nigerian students should not lose government-backed educational support simply because they are pursuing their studies outside the country,” the association said.
NELFUND was created under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024, to provide financial support to eligible Nigerians pursuing higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition.
NANS consequently appealed to the Senate to establish an appropriate legislative framework that would allow qualified Nigerian students enrolled in accredited foreign institutions to benefit from the scheme.
The association described the proposed expansion as “a significant step towards expanding educational opportunities and reducing the financial barriers faced by Nigerian students studying abroad.”
Responding to the request, Yaro expressed his readiness to consider the proposal and examine the legislative steps required to expand NELFUND’s coverage.
The senator also stressed the importance of ensuring that Nigerians living and studying abroad are adequately represented in national policy and legislative deliberations.
The NANS delegation further appealed for stronger collaboration between Nigerian diplomatic missions and student associations, particularly in countries with significant Nigerian student populations.
The association said it would continue discussions with lawmakers and relevant government agencies in pursuit of policies aimed at improving the educational opportunities and welfare of Nigerians studying abroad.
