Nigerians residing in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, have united their voices in a call for the Nigerian government to extend its student loan scheme to include students studying abroad.
The initiative, known as the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, was officially passed by the National Assembly in 2023 and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 13 of the same year. The scheme aims to provide interest-free loans to students enrolled in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with the launch event slated for March 14, 2023.
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 incorporating students abroad into the government’s loan program. Ajiboye emphasized that such inclusion would greatly enhance access to higher education for Nigerian students studying overseas.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ajiboye outlined the community’s key requests, which included advocating for diaspora voting rights, facilitating international passport renewal delivery services both in Nigeria and abroad, and providing support to students regarding exchange rates and foreign exchange. Most notably, the community urged the Nigerian government to extend its student loan program to encompass Nigerians pursuing education abroad.
Ajiboye stressed the significance of considering the diaspora population in the formulation of government policies, emphasizing that Nigerians abroad serve as ambassadors of the nation and play a crucial role in representing the country’s aspirations and potential. He urged the government to ensure the active involvement of the diaspora community in policy formulation, planning, and execution to foster a sense of belonging and contribute to the nation’s development.
