The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to improve the welfare, protection and overall support available to Nigerians studying abroad.
The pledge was made during a strategic meeting between officials of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a delegation from NANS led by the association’s Director of Diaspora and International Students Affairs, Daniel Oyeniyi.
According to a statement released by Oyeniyi on Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was represented at the engagement by the ministry’s Assistant Director, Ezinne Osigwe.
During the meeting, Oyeniyi lamented what he described as a long-standing communication gap between the ministry and Nigerian students living overseas, arguing that many students have lacked sufficient institutional support.
“I expressed my deep concern over the disconnect between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian students in the diaspora.
“I also expressed my dissatisfaction with the manner in which Nigerian students abroad are often treated and pointed out that there are inadequate provisions to cater for their overall welfare,” he said.
To address the situation, Oyeniyi said NANS proposed a partnership with the ministry covering student welfare and protection, improved consular services, data management and engagement with students, policy advocacy, career development, crisis response, promotion of Nigeria’s image abroad, academic collaboration, reintegration and sustained dialogue.
“We seek collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on improved student welfare and protection, enhanced consular services, student data and engagement, policy advocacy, career and professional development, a crisis management framework, academic and international partnerships, reintegration and nation-building, and regular dialogue and representation,” Oyeniyi added.
Responding on behalf of the ministry, Osigwe apologised for the absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, explaining that he was attending another official assignment.
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The Federal Government and NANS have agreed to collaborate on improving the welfare, protection, and consular support for Nigerian students studying abroad.
She assured the NANS delegation that the ministry was fully committed to partnering with the student body to address challenges confronting Nigerians studying overseas.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully prepared to collaborate with the leadership of NANS, particularly in advancing the interests of Nigerian students in the diaspora,” she said.
Osigwe explained that the communication gap experienced in the past was not deliberate but was largely due to the lack of consistent engagement between the ministry and leaders of Nigerian students abroad.
“The disconnect experienced in the past was not deliberate but largely resulted from the absence of sustained engagement by the leadership of Nigerian students in the diaspora,” she said.
She further disclosed that the ministry had accepted the proposed areas of collaboration and would maintain the partnership to ensure the concerns of Nigerian students overseas receive the necessary attention.
“The Ministry is committed to ensuring that the concerns of Nigerian students in the diaspora receive the attention they deserve,” she added.
Describing the engagement as a significant breakthrough, Oyeniyi said the collaboration would strengthen support for Nigerian students abroad while reaffirming his commitment to championing their interests.
“Let me be clear: as the Global Director of Diaspora and International Students, who engages with Nigerian students in the diaspora daily and serves as a bridge between the diaspora student community, the national leadership of NANS, and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I will continue to advocate for and defend the overall interests of Nigerian students abroad,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the new partnership would help reduce the challenges faced by Nigerians pursuing education outside the country.
“This newly established collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs will undoubtedly bring much-needed relief to Nigerian students in the diaspora as we continue to pursue initiatives and partnerships that will make studying outside the shores of Nigeria easier and more rewarding,” Oyeniyi said.