NANS Seeks NELFUND Access for Nigerians Studying Abroad

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has appealed to the Senate to extend the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to eligible Nigerians studying in accredited institutions abroad.

The association made the call during an engagement with the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Anthony Siyako Yaro, citing rising tuition costs, accommodation expenses and exchange rate pressures facing Nigerian students overseas.

NANS specifically called for a review of the existing NELFUND framework to enable qualified Nigerian students enrolled in accredited foreign institutions to benefit from government-backed education loans.

NELFUND was established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024, to provide loans to eligible Nigerians for higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition, but the current scheme is limited to students in Nigerian institutions.

The association described the proposed expansion as “a significant step towards expanding educational opportunities and reducing the financial barriers faced by Nigerian students studying abroad.”

NANS said extending the scheme to eligible students abroad would widen access to education and reduce the financial burden on students and their families, particularly at a time when many are struggling with high living costs and currency volatility.

It urged the Senate to consider an appropriate legislative framework that would enable eligible Nigerian students studying in accredited institutions abroad to benefit from NELFUND.

In response, Yaro expressed willingness to examine the proposal and explore the appropriate legislative process for broadening the reach of NELFUND.

The request comes amid broader debates about student welfare and access to education financing, with NANS previously demanding the immediate release of outstanding upkeep allowances to NELFUND beneficiaries in Nigeria.

If adopted, the amendment would allow Nigerian students in foreign universities, polytechnics and other accredited institutions to apply for NELFUND loans on similar terms as their counterparts in Nigeria, subject to eligibility criteria and repayment conditions.

However, any expansion would require legislative action to amend the enabling law, as well as operational guidelines to manage applications, disbursements and recoveries for students outside the country.

For now, the proposal remains under consideration, with NANS and the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs expected to continue discussions on how best to support Nigerian students studying abroad through the national education loan scheme. [punchng]