NANS Urges Senate to Extend NELFUND Loans to Nigerian Students Studying Abroad

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has called on the Senate to expand the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to cover eligible Nigerian students studying at accredited institutions outside the country.

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

The delegation, led by NANS Turkish Zone President, Daniel Okpala, discussed the welfare, educational financing and representation of Nigerian students in the diaspora, particularly those studying in Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

Okpala said the growing number of Nigerians seeking higher education abroad required the government to review its education financing policies to reflect their needs.

He noted that students studying overseas face significant financial challenges, including high tuition fees, accommodation costs, exchange-rate fluctuations and other educational expenses.

According to him, Nigerian students should not be denied access to government-backed educational support simply because they are pursuing their studies outside the country.

NANS therefore urged the Senate to review the existing NELFUND framework to allow qualified Nigerians enrolled in accredited foreign institutions to benefit from the scheme.

The association also called for stronger diplomatic support for Nigerian students abroad, particularly in addressing welfare, administrative and other challenges affecting them.

It further highlighted the impact of the naira's depreciation on families funding education overseas, saying exchange-rate pressures had substantially increased the cost of tuition, accommodation and other necessities.

NANS said extending NELFUND to eligible students abroad would broaden access to higher education and reduce the financial burden on students and their families.

The association also expressed concern over the level of engagement between Nigerian diplomatic missions and student communities in countries with large Nigerian populations.

It maintained that Nigerian students abroad remain an important part of the country's human-capital development and should be included in policies aimed at expanding access to quality education.

NELFUND was established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, to provide financial support to eligible Nigerians pursuing higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition.

NANS said it would continue engaging lawmakers and relevant government institutions to push for policies that address the educational and welfare needs of Nigerian students in the diaspora.

Senator Yaro reportedly welcomed the proposal and expressed willingness to examine it and explore the appropriate legislative process for expanding the reach of NELFUND.

He also acknowledged the importance of ensuring adequate representation of Nigerians in the diaspora in national policy and legislative discussions.