The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has taken a decisive step to ease the financial burden faced by Nigerian students seeking international education, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom Global University Application Portal (UAPP) in Abuja on Wednesday.

At the heart of the agreement is the creation of an educational financing facility designed to provide structured financial support for qualified Nigerian students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad.

The initiative is expected to bridge funding gaps that often prevent talented students from accessing global academic opportunities.

According to the parties, the pilot phase of the programme will benefit students of Police Secondary Schools across Nigeria, with plans underway to scale it to all senior secondary schools countywide by September this year.

The current application window, they said, Presently, is open to students in SS1 through SS3 in Police Secondary Schools.

In his remarks, the President, UNESCO REF, Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, stated that the collaboration was structured to complement existing student financing programmes.

He noted that while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) primarily caters to students pursuing their studies within Nigeria, the new financing facility is specifically tailored to eliminate monetary constraints for those aiming to secure admission into overseas institutions.

Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan further disclosed that the programme maintains partnerships with more than 250 universities worldwide, thereby opening up diverse academic pathways for beneficiaries.

According to him, the intervention is in line with broader educational strategic priorities and national development objectives geared towards expanding access to quality learning. He added that eligibility cuts across all levels of study, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral candidates, irrespective of the institution or country of choice.

The President announced that the admission application costs for the first 40 students from Police Secondary Schools selected under the scheme would be fully sponsored.

He added that the rollout of the programme would commence without delay, with designated financial partners responsible for handling the payment arrangements.

In her remarks, wife of the Inspector General of Police and President, Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Dr. Elizabeth Egbetokun, described the initiative as a transformative opportunity that aligns with efforts to expand educational access for children of police personnel and other Nigerian youths.

She noted that access to global education should not be determined solely by financial capacity, stressing that the financing facility would empower brilliant students to compete internationally without being constrained by funding limitations.

Dr. Egbetokun commended the partnership for introducing a transparent and structured funding pathway that combines guidance, application support, and financial solutions under one umbrella.

She urged eligible students and their parents to take advantage of the opportunity, expressing confidence that the programme would not only uplift individual families but also contribute to national development by producing globally exposed graduates equipped to bring knowledge and innovation back to Nigeria.

“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.

“This MOU embodies transparency, accountability, and innovation. It is a partnership that gives confidence to parents, trust to society, and hope to our children. It is a practical demonstration of how the Renewed Hope Agenda can be translated into tangible outcomes for Nigerian families,” she said.

Also, Global Director of Business Development at the United Kingdom Global University Application Portal (UAPP), Alan Bahia, explained that the partnership is designed to simplify and secure the university application process while offering comprehensive, end-to-end support to Nigerian students.

He noted that the pilot phase features application fee waivers, mentorship support, and priority processing for the first 1,000 students, measures aimed at lowering barriers to entry.

Bahia also reiterated the organisation’s dedication to transparency, measurable outcomes, and the countrywide expansion of educational opportunities for young Nigerians.