[UPDATE] UK tuition: NANS demands FG intervention in Nigerians’ ordeal

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students has called on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to intervene in the crisis faced by Nigerian students in the United Kingdom, which range from difficulties in processing tuition fees to accommodation issues.

This is following the letter by the UK chapter of NANS, dated November 18, which called on Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafa Ishola, to intervene in the admission crisis faced by Nigerian students in the country.

In a letter signed by the president of the chapter, Micheal Obakhavbaye, it was revealed that several students were at risk of being deported due to difficulties in processing their school fees.

Backing the UK chapter, the NANS National Vice President, External Affairs, Akinteye Babatunde, frowned at the said difficulties faced by the Nigerian students.

In a statement made available to The PUNCH on Monday, Babatunde said, “All these difficulties are inimical to the survival of the 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.

“The lapses in the accommodation issue have been attributed to the lackadaisical attitude of the Nigerian banking system which results in the cancellation of the students’ enrollment forms. This absurdity and ineptitude have done grievous damage to Nigerian students in the diaspora.

“The VP, NANS External Affairs, will not cease to speak on behalf of the Nigerian students. To this effect, we are calling on the Nigerian Ambassador to the UK, Amb. Sarafa Ishola, Hon. Abike Dabiri and the Federal Ministry of Education to take actionable steps with respect to the hardship facing the students.

NANS said Nigerian students deserved better, and “it is a must that we enjoy the dividend of governance.”

“In solidarity, we call out the CBN to make available foreign exchange and transactions of the Nigerian currency to the Nigerian students in the diaspora for their comfort and wellbeing. The Nigerian students will take proper measures if the necessary steps are not enacted as soon as possible.

“We also use this medium to call on the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to be more proactive in her duties. In as much as we are commending her in the areas she has done well, we are also reiterating the fact that more is expected of her in protecting the interests of Nigerian students in the diaspora,” Babatunde added.