Members of the Nigerian community residing in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, have voiced their demand for the inclusion of students studying abroad in the Nigerian government’s student loan scheme.
The enactment of the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act by the National Assembly in 2023, subsequently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 13, 2023, paved the way for interest-free loans to be extended to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. However, the launch of the program by Tinubu, initially slated for March 14, 2023, is eagerly anticipated.
During a meeting with the acting Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Cyprian Heen, representatives of the Nigerian community, led by Tunmise Ajiboye, underscored the importance of including students abroad in the government’s loan scheme. Ajiboye emphasized that such inclusion would enhance access to higher education for Nigerian students studying overseas.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Ajiboye, he urged the government to provide support to students concerning exchange rates and foreign exchange, ensuring access to favorable rates and assistance in managing their financial obligations.
The statement read, “As representatives of Nigerians residing here in the United Kingdom, we come together not only as individuals seeking educational and economic opportunities but as a unified voice calling for support and recognition from our government back home.”
The community’s demands also encompassed diaspora voting rights, international passport renewal services available by post both in Nigeria and abroad, and the facilitation of platforms for Nigerians living abroad to ensure their children can acquire Nigeria’s state of origin.
Ajiboye stressed the importance of considering Nigerians in the diaspora when formulating government policies, asserting that they serve as ambassadors representing the aspirations and potential of the nation. He urged the Nigerian government to prioritize the involvement of diaspora communities in policy formulation and execution to foster a sense of belonging and contribute to national development.
