The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced a 12.7% reduction in allowances for foreign scholars stranded in countries such as Russia, Morocco, and Algeria. This decision is attributed to the ongoing economic crises.
Previously, EduCeleb.com reported that Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other countries under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship had been without stipends for eight months.
The BEA scholarship facilitates educational exchange between Nigeria and partner countries, with the Federal Scholarship Board overseeing it under the Federal Ministry of Education.
The allowance reduction was confirmed in a memo signed by the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Ndajiwo H.A., on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman. The memo, dated July 23, 2024, was addressed to the scholars’ association.
“After due consultations, the Federal Scholarship Board has come up with adjustments in line with budgetary provisions in the payment of BEA scholar’s supplementation allowances for the 2024 academic year,” the memo stated.
The revised allowances include:
- Monthly allowance reduced from $500 to $220
- Graduation allowance reduced from $2500 to $2000
- Postgraduate research allowance reduced from $1000 to $500
These adjustments decrease the total payments from $5650 to $4370 per student annually.
The ministry acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the scholars, stating, “The Scholars’ Association is hereby notified that due to the prevailing economic situation, the payment mandate for the BEA scholars’ allowances will be as per the new adjustment. The balances for the years 2023 and 2024 owed to scholars will be paid as soon as the funds are made available.”
Ayuba Anas, President of the Union of Nigerian Students under the BEA Scholarship, highlighted the financial strain caused by the delays, stating, “For the past six to eight months, scholars enrolled in various institutions abroad have endured financial strain due to the delay in receiving their stipends. From the last payments we received (March-August), there was a shortfall of practically two and a half months’ payment. Moreover, some students in China have not received any stipends since they arrived in April and May 2023.”
These developments have raised concerns among scholars and stakeholders about the management and allocation of funds for the BEA programme.
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