The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has urged the Senate to expand the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to cover eligible Nigerian students studying in accredited institutions outside the country.
The appeal was made during an engagement between the students’ association and Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
The NANS delegation was led by its President, Daniel Okpala, who highlighted the financial challenges facing Nigerian students pursuing higher education abroad, particularly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
According to the association, rising tuition fees, accommodation costs and foreign exchange pressures have made it increasingly difficult for many families to fund the education of their children overseas.
NANS argued that Nigerian students studying abroad should not be excluded from government-backed educational support because of their location.
The association therefore called for a review of the existing NELFUND framework to enable qualified Nigerian students enrolled in accredited foreign institutions to benefit from the scheme.
It also appealed for stronger government and diplomatic support for Nigerian students abroad, particularly in areas concerning their welfare, education and administrative challenges.
The association maintained that extending NELFUND to eligible students overseas would reduce the financial burden on families and give more Nigerians access to higher education.
Yaro, according to the statement, expressed willingness to consider the proposal and explore the appropriate legislative process for expanding the scheme.
NELFUND was established to provide financial assistance to eligible Nigerians seeking higher education, vocational training and skills development.
NANS Turkish Zone said it would continue engaging relevant government institutions and lawmakers on policies affecting Nigerian students in the diaspora.
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