‘Nigerian students facing hardship in Northern Cyprus’

The Global Non-Governmental Organisation Executive Committee has revealed some of the challenges threatening the peaceful existence and education of Nigerian students in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Director, GNEC, Mrs Olasubomi Iginla-Aina, during a media chat last Wednesday said that based on findings during her visit to Northern Cyprus and interaction with Nigerian students there, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive on transfer policy was the major challenge the students were facing.She added that this had led to the deportation of a number of them or the inability to sit exams and further their education.

“The students complained that they don’t get money sent from Nigeria on time. This is because the CBN money transfer is delayed in all the schools in TRNC. But the CBN policy for money transfers should be as easy as ABC. Let children receive money easily instead of delaying it. The government should look into the transfer policy of CBN and help.”

Iginla-Aina explained that the government of Northern Cyprus, Nigerian students, and the University authorities complained about the false agents, who were raising the expectations of Nigerians that there were job opportunities in TRNC.

On the contrary, there were not many job opportunities there.

She revealed that Northern Cyprus system told her that deportation rates would increase as persons with fake documents would be detected with the improved Information Technology system in the immigration services of Northern Cyprus.

She called on the Nigerian government to strengthen diplomatic ties with the country.She said, “Our children are going there. We stand to gain a lot more if we take steps to help our people.”

President, National Association of Nigerian Students, TRCN, Opeoluwa Ojekemi, who spoke via Zoom during the parley said the CBN directive had affected Nigerians studying in Northern Cyprus negatively.

He revealed that the settlement of fees, rents, and other needs was difficult.

Ojekemi also criticised the role of fake agents in propagating false information about immediate employment upon arrival.