The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has formally requested that the Nigerian Senate broaden the scope of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The group wants the program to include citizens currently attending approved universities in foreign countries. This proposal was presented to Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Led by Daniel Okpala, the NANS delegation emphasized the difficulties faced by students in Turkey and Northern Cyprus. Okpala pointed out that the current economic climate, specifically the sharp decline of the naira, has made it increasingly hard for families to manage rising tuition and living costs abroad. He argued that these students should not be barred from government assistance simply because their schooling takes place outside of Nigeria.
NANS believes that reforming the 2024 student loan policy would foster human capital development and alleviate the significant financial strain on Nigerian families. Beyond loan access, the association also stressed the need for better communication between Nigerian diplomatic missions and the student population living abroad. Senator Yaro responded positively to the delegation, stating that he is open to reviewing the legislative requirements needed to potentially incorporate international students into the fund.
