NANS seeks NELFUND loans for Nigerians studying abroad

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has urged the Senate to extend the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to eligible Nigerians studying at accredited institutions outside the country.

The students’ body made the appeal during a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro.

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

Okpala said the growing number of Nigerians pursuing higher education abroad required a corresponding review of existing government education financing policies.

He said students studying outside Nigeria were facing increasing financial pressure from tuition, accommodation and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

NANS argued that Nigerians should not be excluded from government-backed education support simply because they enrolled in accredited institutions abroad.

The association therefore called for a review of the NELFUND framework to allow qualified Nigerian students studying in recognised foreign institutions to access education loans.

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 urged the Senate to develop an appropriate legislative framework that would broaden the scheme to cover qualified Nigerians studying abroad.

The association said extending the scheme would help reduce financial barriers and expand access to higher education for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Responding to the proposal, Yaro expressed willingness to examine the request and explore the appropriate legislative process for expanding NELFUND’s coverage.

The senator also acknowledged the need for Nigerians living abroad, including students, to have stronger representation in national policy and legislative discussions.

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

The association said it would continue engaging lawmakers and relevant government agencies on policies affecting the welfare, education and financial needs of Nigerian students abroad.