Sudan Crisis: More Universities Pledge To Absorb Nigerian Students

The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has acknowledged the efforts of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State and American University, The Gambia, for the show of support and interest in the absorption of Nigerian returnee students from Sudan.

NIDCOM Spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in a statement issued at the weekend in Abuja said Dabiri-Erewa stated this when she received the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye in Abuja.

The NiDCOM Boss gave assurances that the message will be related to the students and those who are interested, will follow the right procedures.

“We were with JAMB and JAMB has given conditions, process and guidelines to follow which I am sure you aware of and the key thing is even if they have come to you and you have admitted them, we will need that letter from JAMB saying JAMB has given them admission letter, so we avoid situations that after graduation they can’t go for youth service,” she added.

“I thank you for the offer you are making to Nigerian students who have returned from Sudan, and I also thank you for saying you will give a generous concession for them”.

Earlier, Prof. Ezemonye, Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion Univeristy explained that the Institution has programmes accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other professional bodies.

He also commended the NiDCOM Boss for the wonderful job she has been doing hence the need for the visit to discuss modalities for placement of the returnee students.

In the same vein, the Co-founder, Friends of Nigeria, Europe, a Non-Governmental Organisation led by Abiodun Odunuga has said he had received offers for scholarships from the American International University, The Gambia, for a number of the Nigerian student returnees from Sudan, adding that the scholarships received were for students with practical courses and who were willing to come to The Gambia and also for students willing to participate in the Paris Graduate School for online courses such as in Human Resources and Business Management.

Similarly, Summit University, Offa, kwara State, also indicated interest in the absorption of the students evacuees from Sudan into the different academic programmes for easy integration.

Meanwhile, Dabiri-Erewa used the opportunity to commend the selfless and patriotic zeal of all stakeholders in the reabsorption process of all Nigerians, especially the students evacuated from the war- torn Sudan.

She used the opportunity to appreciate the airlines, Air Peace, Azman Air, Max Air, Tarco Airline, Dangote Foundation, MTN Foundation as well as all educational institutions who have offered concessions to re-absorb the students to complete their education in Nigeria.

So far, as at Thursday, 2,246 Nigerians have been evacuated from Sudan back to Nigeria in 12 batches.