Nigerian students studying overseas under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) have raised concerns over the federal government’s failure to pay their allowances.
Speaking under the banner of the Union of Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars, the students appealed to the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Tunji Alausa, to urgently revisit the issue and ensure the release of their stipends.
They claimed the government owed each student $6,720 covering 2023 and 2024, along with unpaid stipends from January to April 2025.
In a recent statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the students accused the Ministry of Education of providing misleading information regarding their welfare. They also disputed claims that host countries had been fully catering to their needs.
“The claim that host countries provide full accommodation and monthly stipends is inaccurate in many cases. For example, there is no government-provided housing for students in Morocco. In Algeria, students receive only $70 every four months — hardly enough to be considered a stipend,” the statement said.
Responding to the concerns, the Ministry of Education, through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian scholars abroad.
The ministry admitted that recent foreign exchange fluctuations had affected disbursements but insisted that supplementary payments had been made up to December 2024. It also revealed that a request for additional funds had been submitted to cover all outstanding entitlements.
The Ministry explained that provisions for the BEA scholarships were included in its 2024 Capital Budget and that with the extension of the budget, disbursements under the 2025 budget would commence once implementation begins.
“The Ministry assures all stakeholders of its dedication to supporting Nigerian scholars abroad and is working diligently to meet its obligations under the BEA programme,” the statement added.
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