Government scraps scholarship programme to study abroad

Nigeria’s federal government has officially scrapped the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme after calling it a “waste of resources”. Under the programme, Nigerians could study abroad in countries such as China, Russia, Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Egypt and Serbia.

This follows mounting criticism from past beneficiaries who accused the government of neglect of the programme, particularly over the non-payment of stipends for nearly a year, Punch reported.

The BEA programme, established through diplomatic ties and cooperation, enabled Nigerian students to study in several partner countries.

The scrapping of the BEA comes despite Dr Maruf Alausa, the minister of education, at the end of April, reaffirming the Nigerian government’s commitment to the welfare of students studying abroad under the programme.

The ministry said in the statement that all supplementary payments were made up to December 2024, thereby demonstrating its dedication to the continued success of the programme.

In another statement issued by the ministry on 7 May Alausa also assured current beneficiaries that the ministry will continue to enjoy full government support until the completion of their studies.

In response, the Union of Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars (UNBEAS) challenged several claims made by the ministry, particularly regarding host country support and stipend payments, and disputed that students in countries like Morocco and Algeria receive the accommodation or monthly stipends as claimed.

US$70 every four months

“For example, Moroccan authorities have confirmed the lack of housing provision and, in Algeria, students only receive minimal financial support equivalent to US$70 every four months, which cannot be classified as a monthly stipend,” UNBEAS said in a statement.

UNBEAS also disputes the ministry’s assertion that all supplementary allowances have been paid up to December 2024.

They detailed significant arrears amounting to US$6,720 per student, covering unpaid stipends and reductions for 2023 and 2024. They also reported that, as of April 2025, no disbursements have been made for the current year, leaving many students in financial distress.

UNBEAS called on the ministry of education to immediately settle the outstanding arrears, reinstate the full US$500 monthly stipend, and commence timely payments for 2025 to uphold the integrity of the BEA programme and safeguard the welfare of Nigerian students abroad.

Suspension of programme

Then, on 3 May, Alausa announced a five-year suspension of the BEA programme, stating that all courses previously pursued abroad are now available and often better at Nigerian institutions.

Alausa claimed the move aims to reduce government spending on overseas education and encourage local academic growth, adding that private sponsorships for studying abroad remain unaffected.

He also said the government will still accept fully funded scholarships from BEA partner countries that cover all student expenses, including a US$500 monthly allowance. Other key scholarship initiatives and the Nigerian Student Loan Programme will continue uninterrupted to support students locally.

Calls to review the decision

Jeffery Alabi, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Scholarship Students in Russia, told University World News it is sad to put a great opportunity like the BEA on hold for five years, adding that there are alternative steps the government could take instead of outright cancellation.

He added that the government should prioritise taking care of students currently under the programme, from those in language schools to final-year students. He advised the government to review the decision and ensure that prospective Nigerian scholars continue to benefit from the programme.

“The decision should be reviewed because it has been in existence for decades, so that beneficiaries would include students pursuing courses that are not yet available or are underdeveloped in Nigeria.

“If they are worried about expenses, the government should consider limiting the number of intakes every year while still providing opportunities for deserving students,” he said.

“This programme lessens the financial burden for many less privileged people. The challenges faced by scholars due to non-payment of stipends over the past few years show the need for a more sustainable approach and better structure for the programme,” he added.

According to him, some students would no longer be able to benefit from the programme, and urged the government to pay outstanding stipends that have been withheld for a long time.

Hassan Soweto, coordinator of activist group Education Rights Campaign, told University World News he disagrees with the government’s claim that the BEA scholarship programme is a waste of resources.

“What we can call a waste of resources is politicians using stolen public wealth to send their children to school abroad while leaving public education underfunded, as well as the medical tourism of political office holders who jump on the next available plane to treat the most basic ailments abroad while leaving public hospitals in decrepit conditions,” Soweto said.