In a significant development, the Federal Government announced the cancellation of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this decision during a meeting with newly elected National Association of Nigerian Students officials.
This announcement follows recent challenges faced by the ministry, particularly due to exchange rate fluctuations.
These fluctuations resulted in funding shortfalls for Nigerian students studying abroad under the BEA Scholarship Programme.
Despite efforts to secure additional funding, the minister announced the program would end due to high costs and insufficient monitoring.
As a result, maintaining the program became unsustainable, leading to its discontinuation for the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, Dr. Alausa recalled that upon assuming office in 2024, he encountered a proposal to allocate N650 million for 60 students traveling to Morocco under the BEA program.
He rejected this proposal, arguing that such spending was unfair to the larger Nigerian student community.
He observed that some students were sent to Algeria for courses like English and Psychology, even though these subjects are well-taught in Nigeria.
Therefore, this practice raised concerns about the program’s relevance and efficiency, prompting questions about its overall goal and purpose.
The minister assured that students with scholarships could complete their studies; however, no new admissions would commence in 2025.
He confirmed that all outstanding scholarships would be processed and cleared by the end of 2024. Although pending payments pose a challenge due to budget constraints, efforts continue to ensure timely scholarship clearance. The team is working diligently to resolve remaining issues effectively and efficiently, demonstrating a strong commitment to the process. Despite difficulties, they remain dedicated to completing all scholarship payments within the designated timeline.
Furthermore, Dr. Alausa expressed concern over allocating N9 billion for just 1,200 students in 2025, deeming it unjustifiable. He argued that spending such a substantial amount on studying abroad was inappropriate when many Nigerian students receive no support.
Consequently, the funds previously allocated to the BEA program will redirect towards domestic scholarship initiatives. This strategic shift aims to enhance educational support for a larger number of students across Nigeria.
Finally, responding to the announcement, NANS President Olushola Oladoja commended the minister for his efforts and progress. The cancellation marks a pivotal change in Nigeria’s approach to international educational collaborations.
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