Federal Government approved N4 billion for the payment of allowances to Nigerian students studying abroad under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA)
This move is aimed at settling the outstanding allowances of Nigerian scholars stranded in various countries due to non-payment of their stipends .
The approval follows widespread outcry from the students, who have been facing significant financial hardships due to delayed payments. Many have been forced to take on menial jobs to survive, while others have been evicted from their hostels or barred from university services.
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, had earlier announced that the allowances were adjusted due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. However, the students had rejected this explanation, demanding full payment of their outstanding allowances.
š FULL DETAILS OF THE PAYMENT STRUCTURE
The BEA programme, which was established through diplomatic partnerships, enabled Nigerian students to study in countries such as China, Russia, Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Egypt, and Serbia. However, the programme has been deemed “unsustainable and inefficient” by the Ministry of Education, citing the fact that many of the courses pursued abroad are available in Nigerian universities .
In April 2025, the Federal Government announced the discontinuation of the BEA scholarship programme, citing the need to allocate resources more efficiently. Current beneficiaries will still be allowed to complete their studies, but no new candidates will be admitted.
The Nigerian government has emphasized its commitment to supporting Nigerian scholars abroad, but the move has sparked criticism from affected students and stakeholders, who argue that the government should prioritize supporting students already enrolled in the programme .
