Students in Turkey seek government-backed education loans to ease tuition, accommodation and exchange-rate pressures.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has urged the Senate to extend the Nigeria Education Loan Fund 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.
In a statement on Tuesday, NANS Turkish Zone President, Daniel Okpala, said the growing number of Nigerians pursuing higher education overseas required a review of existing government education financing policies.
He said students abroad were facing increasing financial pressure from tuition fees, accommodation costs and exchange-rate fluctuations.
NANS called for an amendment to the existing NELFUND framework to allow qualified Nigerian students enrolled in accredited foreign institutions to access government-backed education loans.
The association argued that Nigerians should not lose access to educational support simply because they chose to study outside the country.
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.
NANS therefore urged the Senate to develop an appropriate legislative framework for extending the scheme to eligible students studying abroad.
Responding, Yaro expressed willingness to examine the proposal and explore the legislative process required to broaden NELFUND’s coverage.
The senator also acknowledged the need for Nigerians in the diaspora to have stronger representation in national policy and legislative discussions.
The delegation further called for improved engagement between Nigerian diplomatic missions and student communities, particularly in countries with large Nigerian populations.
NANS said it would continue engaging lawmakers and relevant government agencies on policies affecting the education and welfare of Nigerian students abroad.