Nigerian Government Scraps Bilateral Scholarship Programme
Education Minister Announces Discontinuation of BEA Scheme
The Nigerian government has officially terminated the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme, citing inefficiency in public resource utilization.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Tuesday during a meeting with newly elected officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja.
Questionable Resource Allocation
Dr. Alausa revealed shocking details about the programme’s financial burden, stating: “I was asked to approve N650 million for just 60 students going to Morocco under the BEA programme when I assumed office in 2024. I refused. It’s not fair to the majority of Nigerian students.”
The minister criticized the programme’s structure, noting that many beneficiaries were studying courses readily available in Nigerian universities, including cases of students sent to French-speaking Algeria to study English.
Redirection of Funds
The government plans to redirect the substantial BEA budget toward domestic scholarship schemes that will benefit more students. According to Alausa, “In 2025 alone, the government planned to spend N9 billion on just 1,200 students. That’s unjust when millions of students in Nigeria receive no support.”
Programme Background and Issues
The BEA programme, established through diplomatic partnerships, enabled Nigerian students to study in countries including:
- China
- Russia
- Algeria
- Hungary
- Morocco
- Egypt
- Serbia
The minister also addressed concerns about beneficiary behavior, noting some scholars had resorted to social media complaints over delayed allowances, despite government assurances that all supplementary payments were current through December 2024.
Transition Plan
While current beneficiaries will complete their programmes, the BEA scheme will not continue beyond 2025. “We are cancelling the BEA. It is not the best use of public funds,” Alausa emphasized, confirming the funds would instead support local scholarships.
NANS President Olushola Oladoja commended the minister’s reforms during the meeting, signaling student leadership support for the policy change.
Source: Daily Nigerian