Fed Govt Slashes Allowances for Nigerian Students Studying Abroad

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a 12.7% reduction in allowances for Nigerian students studying abroad under the Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship.

The reduction, attributed to ongoing economic challenges, affects students in countries including Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, and Hungary.

According to the report, the cut is a response to economic pressures. The BEA scholarship facilitates educational exchange between Nigeria and partner countries and is managed by the Federal Scholarship Board under the Federal Ministry of Education.

The decision was detailed in a memo signed by Ndajiwo H.A., Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

“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, dated July 23, 2024, read.

According to the memo, the monthly allowances have been reduced from $500 to $220, the graduation allowance from $2,500 to $2,000, and the PG research allowance from $1,000 to $500, among others.

The total annual payments, initially $5,650 per student, will now be $4,370.

“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,” the ministry stated.

Recently, Ayuba Anas, President of the Union of Nigerian Students under the BEA Scholarship, reported that scholars had not been paid for nearly eight months.

Anas stated, “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. Additionally, from the last payments we received (March-August), there was a shortfall of practically two and a half months’ payment. Some students in China have not received any stipends since they arrived in April and May 2023.”