Turkey, China grant scholarships to Nigerians

The Turkish Government yesterday said that it has decided to wave tuition fees for Nigerian students studying in private universities in the country before they were closed down by its government.

The Turkish government had closed down private universities and other establishments operating in the country following an attempted coup.

Also yesterday, the Chinese Government offered scholarships to 24 Nigerians for study in various universities in China as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and China.

Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hakan Cakil, announced Turkey’s offer when he visited the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in his office in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Deputy Director, (Press), Ben Bem-Goong, Nigerian students in private universities shut down in Turkey had been moved to public schools close to the students to enable them continue their studies.

The statement read: “Following the coup attempt in Turkey which led to the closure of many private Universities, Nigerian students studying across Turkish private varsities which have been closed down have now been moved by the Turkish Government to public schools in that country where they will pay very little or no tuition fees at all.

“Cakil assured the minister that no Nigerian student would be affected by the closure of private schools, and that any student who wished to return to Nigeria would be doing so as a matter of choice.

In his response, Adamu expressed gratitude to the Turkish government for paying special attention to the wellbeing and safety of Nigerian students in the country.

Mr Qin Jian, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of China in Nigeria, at a send-off party organised by the embassy for the beneficiaries yesterday in Abuja, described education as the foundation of a nation.

Beijing, he noted, has provided 700 government scholarships to Nigerian students since 1987.  ”Two hundred and thirty seven Nigerians are currently studying in China under the Chinese government scholarship scheme, apart from the self sponsored ones.”