NANS seeks NELFUND access for Nigerians studying abroad

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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

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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.”

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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.

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

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

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

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