NANS seeks NELFUND access for Nigerians studying abroad

The National Association of Nigerian Students, Turkish Zone, has appealed to the Senate to extend the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to eligible Nigerians studying in accredited institutions abroad.

The association made the call during an engagement with the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Anthony Siyako Yaro.

In a statement released on Tuesday, NANS President, Turkish Zone, Daniel Okpala, said the delegation sought greater government attention to the welfare and educational financing challenges confronting Nigerian students in the diaspora.

According to Okpala, the increasing number of Nigerians studying overseas requires a corresponding review of government policies on education financing.

“The increasing number of Nigerians pursuing higher education abroad requires corresponding attention from government in its education financing policies,” he said.

NANS specifically called for a review of the existing NELFUND framework to enable qualified Nigerian students enrolled in accredited foreign institutions to benefit from government-backed education loans.

The association said students studying abroad were facing rising financial pressures due to tuition, accommodation costs and exchange rate fluctuations.

It argued that students should not lose access to government educational support solely because they chose to pursue their studies outside Nigeria.

“Nigerian students should not lose government-backed educational support simply because they are pursuing their studies outside the country,” the association said.

NELFUND was established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024, to provide loans to eligible Nigerians for higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition.

NANS therefore urged the Senate to consider a legislative framework that would extend the scheme to qualified Nigerians studying abroad.

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.”

In the response to the statement, Yaro expressed willingness to examine the proposal and explore the appropriate legislative process for broadening the reach of NELFUND.

The senator also acknowledged the need for Nigerians in the diaspora to be adequately represented in national policy and legislative discussions.

The delegation further called for stronger engagement between Nigerian diplomatic missions and student communities, particularly in countries with large Nigerian populations.

The association pledged to continue engaging lawmakers and relevant government institutions on policies affecting the education and welfare of Nigerian students in the diaspora.