The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned in strong terms, the alleged inconsistent and hostile treatment Nigerian students in the United Kingdom (UK) are facing.
NANS made the condemnation on Tuesday in a statement by its National Vice President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, saying that Nigerian students in the diaspora, particularly in the UK are facing an intricate perplexing situation that rendered them vulnerable to adverse situations in the pursuit of their academic trajectory.
Afeez stated that the association’s concern was sequel to the letter signed by NANS President UK Chapter, Comrade Michael Obakhavbaye, who lamented that several Nigerian students were facing the risk of deportation due to difficulties in processing their tuition fees and other financial dues that must be met.
Afeez also stated that Obakhavbaye also lamented that several Nigerian students in the UK faced hardship in securing accommodation during their academic pursuits.
“It must be meted out that all these difficulties are inimical to the survival of the Nigerian students in the diaspora, and we believe that the Nigerian ambassador to the United Kingdom and the Central Bank of Nigeria are complicit in these acts,” Afeez stated.
He further explained that the lapses in the accommodation issue have been attributed to what he described as the lackadaisical attitude of the Nigerian banking system which resulted in the cancellation of the enrollment form.
“This absurdity and ineptitude have done grievous damage to Nigerian students in the diaspora.”
Afeez vowed that NANS would not cease to speak on behalf of the Nigerian students and to this effect, “We are calling on the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Ishola, Abike Dabiri, and the Federal Ministry of Education to take actionable steps with respect to the hardship facing Nigerian students in the diaspora.
“An injury to one is an injury to all, Nigerian students deserve better and it is a must that we enjoy the dividend of Governance.
“In solidarity, we call out the Central Bank of Nigeria 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 measures are not enacted as soon as possible.
“We also use this medium to call on the CEO 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.”
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