The Federal Government (FG) has officially scrapped the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme, citing poor oversight, financial waste, and unfair spending as key reasons for the decision.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, made the announcement during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Tuesday.
He described the programme as unsustainable and no longer in the best interest of Nigerian students.
The BEA, created through diplomatic partnerships with countries like China, Russia, Hungary, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Serbia, was meant to give Nigerians the opportunity to study abroad.
But recent complaints from recipients, who say they were abandoned while studying overseas, forced the government to take a second look.
Dr. Alausa revealed that in 2024, shortly after assuming office, he was asked to approve N650 million for 60 students going to Morocco but he declined.
“2024, when I assumed office, I was asked to approve N650 million for 60 students going to Morocco under the BEA programme. I refused. It’s not fair to Nigerian students,” he 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 accountability in the scheme, noting that while the government pays for students’ yearly travel, it barely monitors their academic performance.
“In 2025 alone, the government planned to spend N9 billion on just 1,200 students,” he said.
“It’s unjust to spend such a huge amount sending students abroad to study courses available locally, while millions of Nigerian students get no support.”
According to him, every course the current BEA students are studying abroad is available in Nigerian universities.
“We are cancelling the BEA. It is not the best use of public funds.”
He added that all pending stipends and entitlements had been paid up to December 2024, and extra funding had been requested to cover currency-related shortfalls.
While existing scholars will be allowed to complete their studies, no new admissions will be made under the programme starting in 2025.
The government will instead redirect those funds toward supporting more students locally.
“That money will now be used to fund local scholarships and support more students,” Alausa said.
He also slammed some beneficiaries for “blackmailing” the government on social media instead of following proper channels.
Reacting to the decision, NANS President Olushola Oladoja praised the minister’s bold move and commended the reforms taking place within the education ministry under Alausa’s leadership.
