By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The Federal Government has officially scrapped the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme, a long-standing initiative that sent Nigerian students to study in foreign countries on government sponsorship.
The decision comes after months of complaints from beneficiaries who say they’ve been left stranded overseas due to unpaid allowances and poor government support.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa announced the cancellation during a visit from officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
He described the programme as an “unfair, unsustainable, and inefficient” use of public funds.
“In 2024, I was asked to approve N650 million for 60 students going to Morocco. I refused. That level of spending on so few students isn’t fair,” the minister said.
The BEA scheme operated through diplomatic agreements with countries such as China, Russia, Hungary, and Algeria.
However, Alausa pointed out that many of the courses offered abroad, such as English and Sociology are already taught effectively in Nigerian universities, making the programme unnecessary.
He added that in 2025 alone, the government had budgeted N9 billion for just 1,200 students abroad, despite the ongoing struggles of millions of students in Nigeria.
Worse still, the programme reportedly lacked academic oversight, with little tracking of student performance or outcomes.
Going forward, the funds previously allocated to BEA will be redirected toward expanding domestic scholarship opportunities to benefit more Nigerian students.
Current BEA recipients will be allowed to complete their studies, but no new scholarships will be awarded under the programme beyond 2025.
NANS President Olushola Oladoja praised the government’s decision, calling it a bold step toward reforming Nigeria’s education system for the greater good.
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