The Federal Government has approved the sum of ₦4 billion for the settlement of outstanding allowances owed to Nigerian scholars stranded in various foreign countries under its Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme.
The approval is part of renewed efforts by the Federal Government to address long-standing complaints of delayed payments and financial hardship faced by Nigerian students studying abroad under government sponsorship.
According to official information, the intervention will cover arrears of allowances owed to scholars in countries including Russia, China, Morocco, Hungary, Algeria, and other partner nations where Nigerian students are currently enrolled under the BEA programme.
The scholars had, over time, raised concerns about unpaid stipends, delayed disbursements, and financial constraints that affected their academic performance and living conditions abroad.
The Federal Ministry of Education explained that the ₦4 billion allocation is aimed at clearing verified outstanding payments and stabilising the scholarship scheme.
The ministry further noted that the intervention aligns with the government’s broader commitment to education support and international academic partnerships.
Officials said the payment is expected to be processed through relevant federal agencies supervising the scholarship programme, with beneficiaries to receive their entitlements in line with established disbursement procedures.
The BEA scholarship scheme is designed to promote educational exchange between Nigeria and partner countries, providing opportunities for Nigerian students to study in foreign institutions on government sponsorship.
However, in recent years, the programme has faced recurring challenges, including budgetary constraints and foreign exchange pressures, leading to delayed allowances and protests from affected scholars.
The latest approval is expected to ease tensions and provide relief to students who have reportedly faced months of financial difficulty abroad.
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Government’s foreign scholarship programme has been under scrutiny due to repeated delays in stipend payments, with scholars previously reporting hardship and indebtedness while studying overseas.
