NANS calls on the Federal Government to intervene in Nigerians’ UK tuition crisis.
The National Association of Nigerian Students has urged the
Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to intervene in the crisis
confronting Nigerian students in the United Kingdom, which ranges from
difficulties in processing tuition fees to housing issues.
This comes after the UK chapter of NANS, in a letter dated
November 18, asked Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafa Ishola, to
intervene in the admission crisis confronting Nigerian students in the country.
In a letter signed by the chapter’s president, Micheal
Obakhavbaye, it was revealed that several students faced deportation due to
difficulties in processing their school fees.
The NANS National Vice President, External Affairs, Akinteye
Babatunde, backed the UK chapter and expressed concern about the difficulties
faced by Nigerian students.
“All these difficulties are inimical to the survival of
Nigerian students in the diaspora, and we believe that the Nigerian ambassador
to the UK and the Central Bank of Nigeria are complicit in these acts,”
Babatunde said in a statement made available to The Nigerianwatch on Monday.
“The lapses in the accommodation issue have been attributed
to the Nigerian banking system’s lax attitude, which results in the
cancellation of the students’ enrollment forms.” This absurdity and ineptitude
has caused significant harm to Nigerian students in the diaspora.
“The Vice President of NANS External Affairs will continue
to speak on behalf of Nigerian students.” To that end, we are urging the
Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Amb. Sarafa Ishola, Hon. Abike
Dabiri, and the Federal Ministry of Education to take immediate action to
address the students’ plight.
NANS stated that Nigerian students deserved better and that
“we must enjoy the dividend of governance.”
“In solidarity, we urge the CBN to make foreign exchange and
currency transactions available to Nigerian students in the diaspora for their
comfort and well-being.” If the necessary steps are not taken as soon as
possible, Nigerian students will take appropriate action.
“We also use this medium to urge the Nigeria Diaspora
Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to be more proactive
in her duties.” “While we commend her for the work she has done, we also remind
her that more is expected of her in protecting the interests of Nigerian
students in the diaspora,” Babatunde added.