UNESCO, Police Wives Association and Others Partner to Support Nigerians Seeking Education Abroad

The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation has partnered with the Police Officers' Wives Association and the United Kingdom Global Universities Application Portal (UAPP) to help Nigerians gain access to higher education in more than 250 universities across the world.

The partnership aims to reduce the cost of studying abroad and to make foreign education more affordable for interested students, regardless of their chosen course.

Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Abuja on Wednesday, 18 February, 2026, the President of UNESCO REF, Abdulsalami Ladigbolu Oranmiyan, said the programme was created to support students who want to study outside Nigeria.

He explained that while the NELFUND mainly supports students within the country, this new scheme focuses on those seeking admission into foreign institutions.

According to him, the first phase will begin in police secondary schools before expanding to other parts of the country by September.

He added that the initiative aligns with national education goals and is open to undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, regardless of school type or location.

“This facility ensures that our collaboration is not only about opening doors to international university applications, but also about providing the financial backbone that makes opportunities attainable. This is the reason for our synergy: combining the UNESCO REF vision with UAPP Global reach. This is to dismantle these barriers, democratise access, and create a holistic framework where ambition is matched with resources and dreams are matched with pathways,” he stated during his speech.

Ladigbolu Oranmiyan also announced that the admission process for the first 40 selected police secondary school students would be fully sponsored under the scheme.

He stated that the programme would begin immediately, with payments handled by approved financial partners.

Also speaking, the National President of POWA, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, said the partnership would help more Nigerian youths, especially children of police officers, to access quality education abroad.

She noted that the agreement supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which places strong emphasis on education and youth development.

According to her, the programme will first be implemented in police secondary schools before spreading to other institutions nationwide.

“I am especially delighted that this initiative will be piloted in the police secondary schools. 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,” Egbetokun said.

She added that the partnership promotes transparency, accountability, and innovation, while building confidence among parents and young Nigerians.

Egbetokun also urged government bodies, private firms and civil groups to back the programme. She noted that working together will help more people in remote areas get the education they need.