A group of Nigerians residing in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, have appealed to the Nigerian government to include students studying abroad in the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, which was enacted by the National Assembly in 2023 and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 13, 2023.
The scheme aims to provide interest-free loans to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The community members, represented by Tunmise Ajiboye, recently met with the acting Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Cyprian Heen, and urged him to advocate for the inclusion of foreign-based students in the government's loan scheme. The community believes that this move will improve access to higher education for Nigerians studying overseas.
Ajiboye further urged the government to support students with exchange rates and foreign exchange, ensuring they can access favorable rates and manage their financial needs. The community also requested diaspora voting, international passport renewal delivery, and a platform for Nigerians living abroad who may want their children to get Nigeria's state of origin.
Ajiboye emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to consider Nigerians in the diaspora when formulating policies, stating that they are ambassadors of the country and are representing the aspirations and potential of the nation. Therefore, it is crucial for the government to factor in the diaspora in all its policy formulation, planning, and execution for a productive sense of belonging and pace of development.