A growing crisis involving Nigerian students studying in the Kingdom of Morocco under a Federal Government scholarship has emerged as beneficiaries claim they are abandoned, homeless, hungry and helpless, prompting widespread outcry and official reactions across the nation and on social media.

Scores of Nigerian scholars, part of the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme, lament severe hardship in Morocco, stating that unpaid stipends and lack of support have left them struggling for basic survival years after departure.

In a widely circulated video shared on social media platforms, including X, several students detailed their plight, alleging prolonged non-payment of monthly stipends, inability to afford food and accommodation, and acute distress.

Students told SaharaReporters that they were promised monthly allowances and initial flights by the Nigerian government under the BEA programme but have not received consistent financial support, leaving some to fend for themselves in challenging conditions.

One final-year medical undergraduate said they had been abandoned halfway through their studies, while another student recounted working secretly in violation of scholarship terms after facing destitution, suffering an accident that left him on crutches and unable to pay medical bills.

The students also spoke of being unable to work legally due to terms of the scholarship agreement with the host country, and described instances of unpaid rents, discriminatory treatment by landlords, and difficulties accessing clinical training and essential academic resources.

One female nursing student said she could not afford transportation to hospitals for practical training, jeopardising her education.

Tragically, they recounted the death of a fellow BEA scholar, Bashir Malami, who they said died from complications related to tuberculosis after avoiding medical treatment due to lack of funds, despite treatment being available in Morocco.

The video, widely circulated by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse — popularly known as VeryDarkMan — triggered sharp criticism of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, with calls for urgent government intervention.

Some beneficiaries appealed directly to the Federal Government to intervene before more lives and academic futures are lost.

Official Denial, ‘Fiscal Constraints’ Explanation

In response to the allegations, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education has dismissed claims that Nigerian students have been abandoned in Morocco, terming such reports as misleading, unfounded and designed to misinform the public.

Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa said in an official statement that all eligible Nigerian students enrolled under previous scholarship arrangements have been paid up to the 2024 budget year, and that any temporary delays in outstanding payments are due to prevailing fiscal constraints.

The ministry clarified that no new bilateral scholarships were issued after 2024, and that the current policy direction is to phase out government-funded overseas scholarship awards for programmes that can be delivered domestically.

Dr. Alausa reiterated that the government remains committed to students already enrolled, assuring that ongoing engagements with the Ministry of Finance are addressing payment delays and that support continues for beneficiaries until they complete their programmes.

Officials also emphasised options for students who may wish to return home, including reintegration into suitable Nigerian tertiary institutions with travel expenses covered by the government.

The ministry urged stakeholders and the public to reject misinformation while reaffirming its commitment to student welfare and educational policy reforms.

Background of BEA Scholarship Challenges

The plight of Nigerian scholars abroad is not new.
Parents, guardians and student unions have repeatedly appealed to the Federal Government over unpaid stipends, delayed allowances and financial neglect in countries including Morocco, Hungary, Algeria, Russia, China and others — issues that in some cases have persisted for years.

In November 2025, parents under the Forum of Parents and Guardians of BEA Scholars issued an SOS to the government, warning that students’ lives were at risk due to extended non-payment of allowances.

Critics of the programme have long contended that delays and reductions in stipends have forced students into informal work, reliance on charity, academic setbacks and severe hardship, straining Nigeria’s reputation and affecting the wellbeing of its young scholars.

As the situation develops, families of the affected students, student bodies and civil society organisations have called on the Tinubu administration to urgently address the financial and welfare challenges, warning that failure to act could have profound implications for Nigeria’s education diplomacy and human capital development.