Outspoken Senator and businessman, Ben Murray-Bruce, representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, has said that it is unfair for President Muhammadu Buhari to ban foreign exchange for Nigerian students abroad, while his own children school abroad.
Mr. Buhari during an interview granted to Al Jazeera said: “Nigeria cannot continue to subsidize the forex needs of everyone.”
“Those who can afford foreign education for their children can go ahead, but Nigeria cannot afford to allocate foreign exchange for those who decided to train their children outside the country. We can’t just afford it. That is just the true situation,” he said.
Reminded by the interviewer that his own children school abroad, President Buhari said “I can afford it.”
Reacting to this, Mr. Senator Bruce said: “Its awkward for a leader to say no #ForexForEducation for kids schooling abroad when his own kids school abroad!,” he wrote on his Twitter page.
“Mr. President, these are people who voted for you. Shouldn’t you be more sensitive to their need for #ForexForEducation.”
“This year officials, including the Presidency, will spend billions importing cars. If we can afford that cant we afford #ForexForEducation”
“What should parents whose kids have spent 2+ years studying abroad do? Should their kids drop out after going so far? #ForexForEducation”
“Its not a matter of “those who can afford it”. Parents aren’t saying they cant afford it. They’re saying they cant get #ForexForEducation”
“I advocate for #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira but I accept that there are some courses that we dont offer in our universities #ForexForEducation”
“If we can provide foreign exchange to those going on pilgrimage, surely we can provide #ForexForEducation. Education is a priority!”
“These policies will have the opposite effect of what you intend. Nigerians will take their funds to neighboring nations #ForexForEducation”
“We as elected representatives of the people must be sensitive to their needs and reflect this sensitivity in policies #ForexForEducation.”
“A man who once had to borrow money for nomination forms ought to be more empathetic to parents whose kids, like his own kids, school abroad.”
“Imagine the reaction if it was GEJ who had kids schooling abroad and said “those who can afford it, can still afford it” #ForexForEducation.
“Many of these parents queued for hours to vote you only to be told today there’s no #ForexForEducation for their kids, while your kids have.” Mr Bruce said.

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