By Deborah Nnamdi
The Federal Government has officially ended its Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme, citing inefficiencies and poor resource management.
The move comes after numerous complaints from past beneficiaries who alleged they were neglected while studying abroad.
The BEA initiative, developed through international partnerships, enabled Nigerian students to pursue studies in countries such as China, Russia, Hungary, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Serbia. However, the government now deems the program financially unsustainable.
Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Alausa announced the termination during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Tuesday. He stated that all pending stipends up to December 2024 had been paid and that additional funding had been requested to cover currency-related shortfalls.
“In 2024, when I assumed office, I was asked to approve N650 million for 60 students going to Morocco under the BEA program. I refused. It’s not fair to Nigerian students,” Alausa said.
“I reviewed the courses—some students went to Algeria, a French-speaking country, to study English, Psychology, and Sociology—courses we teach better in Nigeria.”
The minister criticized the lack of oversight in the program, pointing out that the government covers yearly travel expenses for beneficiaries but does not track their academic progress.
“In 2025 alone, the government planned to spend N9 billion on just 1,200 students. It’s unjust to spend such a huge amount sending students abroad to study courses available locally while millions of Nigerian students receive no support,” he stated.
Alausa added that every course currently being studied by BEA recipients is available in Nigerian universities.
“We have evaluated every course these 1,200 students are studying abroad—every single one is available in Nigerian universities. We are canceling the BEA. It is not the best use of public funds.
“That money will now be used to fund local scholarships and support more students,” he said.
The minister gave assurances that existing BEA beneficiaries would be able to finish their programs, although no new students would be admitted under the scheme starting in 2025.
Alausa also condemned certain beneficiaries for resorting to social media to “blackmail” the government instead of using appropriate avenues for communication.
In response, NANS President Olushola Oladoja commended the minister’s position and applauded the advancements in the education ministry under Alausa’s leadership.
