The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the Bilateral Education Agreement scholarship, describing it as a “waste of resources.”
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known on Tuesday during a visit by the new leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
The BEA programme allowed Nigerian students to study in countries such as China, Russia, Hungary, Morocco, Algeria, and Serbia through educational partnerships.
However, the Minister said the programme no longer makes sense, especially as many of the courses students go abroad to study are already available in Nigerian universities.
“In 2024, I was asked to approve N650 million for 60 students going to Morocco under the BEA programme. I refused. It’s not fair to Nigerian students,” Alausa said.
He continued, “Some students went to Algeria, a French-speaking country, to study English, psychology, and sociology. These are courses we teach better here in Nigeria.”
The Minister said the government had already paid all allowances due to BEA students up to December 2024 and was working to settle other pending payments caused by changes in exchange rates.
Alausa also expressed disappointment with some of the BEA scholars, accusing them of “blackmailing the government” on social media over delays in payment.
“In 2025 alone, we planned to spend N9 billion on just 1,200 students. That’s not fair when millions of students in Nigeria don’t get any support,” he said.
He added, “We reviewed the courses of the 1,200 students abroad, and found that every single course is offered here in Nigeria. We are cancelling the BEA. That money will now be used for local scholarships to help more students.”
The Minister promised that students currently on BEA scholarships will be allowed to finish their programmes, but no new applications will be accepted after 2025.
He also noted that the programme lacked proper academic monitoring and gave free yearly travel to scholars without checking their performance.
Meanwhile, the new NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, praised the Minister for the changes he has made since coming into office, saying students are beginning to feel the impact of his leadership.
