The Nigerian Government has announced the termination of its Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship program.
The decision follows complaints from previous scholarship recipients who claimed the government had abandoned them during their studies abroad.
The BEA programme, established through diplomatic partnerships, offered Nigerian students opportunities to study in countries such as Russia, China, Hungary, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Serbia.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, confirmed the program’s cancellation during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Tuesday.
He, however, assured that all pending stipends and entitlements had been disbursed up to December 2024, and that additional funds had been requested to address currency-related shortfalls.
The minister criticized the lack of oversight in the program, pointing out that the government covers yearly travel expenses for beneficiaries but does not track their academic progress.
Alausa further said every course currently being studied by BEA recipients is available in Nigerian universities.
“We have evaluated every course these 1,200 students are studying abroad—every single one is available in Nigerian universities. We are cancelling the BEA. It is not the best use of public funds.
“That money will now be used to fund local scholarships and support more students,” the minister stated.
While maintaining that no new admissions would be accepted under the arrangement from 2025 onward, he however gave an assurance that all current BEA beneficiaries would be allowed to complete their programmes,
In a response, the president of NANS, Olushola Oladoja praised the minister’s stance.
He commended him and staff members of the education ministry’ for the progress recorded since Alausa assumed office.
