The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO-REF), in collaboration with the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) and the United Kingdom Global Universities Application Portal (UAPP), has announced the initiation of an educational loan program aimed at facilitating Nigerian students in their pursuit of higher education overseas.
This initiative was officially announced in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that signifies a significant move towards increasing access to global educational opportunities through organized financing and efficient assistance in the application process.
During the launch event, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, President of UNESCO-REF, stated that the collaboration is intended to augment existing financial support mechanisms for students and eliminate the financial obstacles that frequently hinder opportunities for overseas studies.
He remarked that while the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) mainly benefits students studying within Nigeria, this new scheme is specifically aimed at Nigerians intending to enroll in foreign educational institutions.
The program is set to commence with a pilot in police secondary schools before a nationwide rollout expected by September. Furthermore, it boasts partnerships with over 250 universities across the globe and is available to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral candidates from both public and private schools, without limitations regarding language or geographical location.
“This initiative not only opens doors for international university applications but also provides the crucial financial resources that render such opportunities feasible,” Mr. Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan stated.
He highlighted that UNESCO-REF will cover the admission processes for the first 40 police secondary school students chosen for this program, with implementation starting immediately and financial aspects streamlined through selected partners.
Dr. Elizabeth Egbetokun, the National President of POWA, described the collaboration as a pivotal advancement for Nigerian youth, particularly for the children of police officers.
Meanwhile, UAPP’s CEO, Md Shamim, indicated that this collaboration would offer comprehensive support, including smooth application processes and fee waivers for the initial 1,000 students who participate, along with mentorship and expedited processing.
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