The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme, labelling it a misuse of public funds.
Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa made this announcement during a meeting with the newly elected officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Tuesday.
Dr Alausa revealed that in 2025 alone, the government planned to spend ₦9 billion on 1,200 students studying abroad under the BEA programme.
He questioned the justification for such expenditure, given that millions of Nigerian students receive no support, especially since the courses pursued abroad are also available in Nigerian universities.
For instance, he cited students studying English, Psychology, and Sociology in Algeria, a French-speaking country, despite these courses being taught in Nigeria.
The Minister also criticised the lack of academic monitoring for BEA scholars and noted that some beneficiaries have resorted to social media to pressure the government over unpaid allowances.
He assured current beneficiaries would complete their studies, but no new admissions would be accepted under the scheme from 2025 onward.
The funds previously allocated to the BEA programme will be redirected towards domestic scholarship schemes to benefit more Nigerian students nationwide.
This move is part of the government’s effort to strengthen local tertiary education and ensure equitable distribution of educational resources.
The BEA programme had enabled Nigerian students to study in partner countries, including China, Russia, Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Egypt, and Serbia.
With its cancellation, the government aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of education in Nigeria.
