The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government to the welfare of Nigerian students studying abroad under the prestigious Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme.
In a press release issued today, the Ministry emphasized the significance of the BEA Programme, describing it as “a product of strong diplomatic relations and mutual cooperation,” which enables Nigerian students to pursue academic studies in partner countries such as China, Russia, Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Egypt, and Serbia.
The statement explained that through these agreements, host countries generously provide scholars with free tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipends. In turn, the Federal Government of Nigeria complements this support by offering take-off grants, monthly supplementation throughout the duration of study, and return passage upon successful completion of their programmes.
Highlighting recent achievements, the Ministry proudly announced: “The Ministry is pleased to report that all supplementary allowances due to Nigerian scholars have been paid up to December 2024. This reflects the Honourable Minister of Education’s sustained efforts to prioritise the needs of Nigerian students abroad.”
Nevertheless, the Ministry acknowledged challenges stemming from recent economic conditions, particularly currency fluctuations, which led to shortfalls in the disbursement of funds. Addressing the issue, the statement noted: “The Ministry acknowledges that recent exchange rate fluctuations led to shortfalls in fund disbursement. To address this, the Honourable Minister has formally requested additional funding to cover the differentials and ensure the full remittance of entitlements to all affected students.”
Looking towards the future, the Ministry assured all stakeholders that the scholarship programme remains a top priority within the Federal Ministry of Education’s plans: “Provisions for the scholarship programme have been captured under the Federal Ministry of Education’s Capital Budget. In line with the extension of the 2024 Capital Budget, disbursement of funds under the 2025 Capital Budget is expected to commence in earnest once implementation begins.”
Reiterating its unwavering support, the Ministry pledged to continue working diligently to fulfill all obligations under the BEA Programme: “The Ministry assures all stakeholders of its unwavering commitment to supporting Nigerian scholars abroad and is working diligently to meet all obligations under the BEA in a timely and effective manner.”
The press release concluded with a heartfelt appreciation: “We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of all students and their families and reaffirm our dedication to the continued success of the Bilateral Education Agreement Programme.”
The statement was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education.
