An umbrella organisation of Nigerian students studying in Europe and Turkey, the Association of Nigerians Students in Europe, Wednesday, said over three million Nigerians are currently studying in higher institutions in different countries across Europe.
The organisation also said that Nigeria had one of the highest numbers of international students studying in Europe.
The President of ANSE, Bashiru Muhammad, said these during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday while giving its plan to offer scholarships to about 111 Nigerian students.
The development may not be unconnected with the incessant
closure of public universities in Nigeria due to strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Muhammad said the scholarship would cover three persons in each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory for students to study in Turkey.
He said, “After due consultation, I would like to announce that ANSE under my leadership, will begin by offering three scholarships each to the 36 states of Nigeria including the FCT for students to study in Turkey.
“These scholarships will be channelled through various ministries of Education and Scholarship Boards.
“A few slots will also be offered to various stakeholders, and there will be more to come. We wish to also inform Nigerians wishing to study abroad that we will come up with a program where they can apply and get these scholarships directly from us.”
According to him, ANSE had, for many years, intervened in student affairs both at home and abroad by providing technical and financial support to students.
He added that the ANSE had, over the years, secured thousands of scholarship opportunities via various partner institutions that have been supporting the organisation.
“The generosity we enjoy from various organisations in Europe and beyond, including the United Nations, is enormous.
“Nigerians students in Europe have been a major force in European Universities and have made their mark among the most brilliant alumni of various European institutions.
“There’s no doubt that Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of international students studying in Europe, amounting to over three million in number.
“As such, we intend to ensure that these very important populations are being taken care of, to realise the full potential, in order to serve as indispensable assets for humanity.”
Source: The Punch
