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UNESCO, UK partner on loans for overseas students
The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) and the United Kingdom Global University Application Portal (UAPP) have partnered to provide financial support to Nigerian students seeking higher education abroad.
President of UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalam Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan disclosed this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja.
The partnership also involves the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) through UNESCO REF’s Strategic Intervention Programme – ALPHA (SIP–ALPHA), Categories 2 and 15.
Under the arrangement, the Police Secondary Schools have been chosen to spearhead the pilot phase of the initiative before it will be extended to other parts of the country in September.
Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan said the new partnership was designed to complement existing student funding interventions.
He disclosed that the programme had partnerships with more than 250 universities across the world, providing broad opportunities for beneficiaries.
He explained that while the current scheme of Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) mainly supports students studying within Nigeria, the new facility would remove financial barriers for those seeking admission into foreign institutions.
Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan described the agreement as a deliberate pathway to “transform ambition into opportunity, and opportunity into achievement.”
He noted that at the heart of the collaboration is the establishment of a landmark Educational Financing Facility — a structured mechanism designed to support Nigerian students aspiring to pursue international university education.
According to Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, the initiative goes beyond facilitating global university applications to providing the financial backbone necessary to make such opportunities attainable.
He explained that the synergy between UNESCO REF’s vision and UAPP’s global reach is aimed at dismantling barriers, democratising access, and creating a holistic framework where ambition is matched with resources and dreams are matched with clear pathways.
The event was held under the theme, “Enhancing the Renewed Hope Agenda on Education in Nigeria,” which he said underscores the role of education as a tool for national renewal, social stability, and global competitiveness.
He added that the intervention aligned with the education strategic priorities and national development goals focused on improving access to learning.
According to him, eligibility is open to all categories of learners, including undergraduate, master’s and doctoral candidates, regardless of institution type or location.
“For too long, financial barriers have stood between talent and opportunity,” he noted, adding that SIP–ALPHA seeks to ensure that no Nigerian student with the ability and determination to pursue higher education internationally is denied that chance due to financial constraints.
Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan paid special tribute to Dr Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, National President of POWA and National Advocate for SIP–ALPHA, for her visionary leadership and advocacy, which he said were central to the realisation of the partnership.
He expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would welcome the initiative, noting that it directly complements the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the national financing mechanism established to provide accessible and affordable loans to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
He described NELFUND as a bold step by the Federal Government to remove financial barriers and democratize access to higher education, emphasising that the newly signed partnership reinforces that national commitment.
As part of the framework, The Lichfield Partners and Associates LLC will oversee the creation of a complementary loan repayment platform for interested students after gaining admission.
The platform is designed to integrate financial literacy, entrepreneurial training, and career guidance, ensuring that repayment becomes a structured and empowering process rather than a burden.
“It is not simply about financing education. It is about equipping students with the tools to thrive long after admission, creating a continuing support mechanism that strengthens their future in international academic environments,” Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan emphasized.
POWA President and wife of the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, said the initiative reflected the collective determination to align with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda places education at the very heart of national transformation.
She said: “I am especially delighted that this initiative will be piloted in the Police Secondary Schools, institutions that have nurtured generations of young Nigerians. From this pilot, the programme will spread to other schools and institutions across the country, ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of higher education and global opportunities.”
She called on all stakeholders, government agencies, private sector actors, civil society organisations, and community leaders to join hands with us in making this vision a reality.
Chief Executive Officer of UAPP, Mr Md Shamim, said in furtherance of this commitment, UAPP would facilitate structured access to international study opportunities in the UK across selected bachelor’s degrees, Top-Up programmes and master’s qualifications with a priority on disciplines aligned with Nigeria’s workforce needs.
He stated: “Recognising that affordability remains a primary constraint for many families, this pathway is supported by a student loan framework offering one of the lowest interest rates in the United Kingdom, alongside a flexible repayment structure designed to reduce upfront financial pressure and allow manageable and flexible repayment.
“This financing model is structured to address entry barriers while maintaining compliance with UK institutional standards.”
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