FG begins N4bn payment to BEA scholars as local beneficiaries lament delays

The federal government has released 50 per cent of the outstanding 2025 obligations owed to Nigerian students studying abroad under the discontinued Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme. This is as beneficiaries of federal scholarship schemes for students studying in Nigerian tertiary institutions have raised concerns over prolonged delays in the payment of their grants, […]

The federal government has released 50 per cent of the outstanding 2025 obligations owed to Nigerian students studying abroad under the discontinued Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme.

This is as beneficiaries of federal scholarship schemes for students studying in Nigerian tertiary institutions have raised concerns over prolonged delays in the payment of their grants, warning that many scholars are facing serious financial hardship.

The affected local beneficiaries are students under the Nigeria Award Scholarship and Education Bursary schemes, including newly verified participants awaiting payment since 2024.

The Federal Ministry of Education confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has remitted N4 billion — the first tranche of an N8 billion backlog — to Nigerian embassies and missions abroad for immediate disbursement to eligible BEA scholars.

The payment follows the government’s decision to discontinue the BEA Scholarship Programme and redirect resources towards strengthening local tertiary institutions.

The policy shift, according to the government, was intended to consolidate investments in Nigerian universities and polytechnics where equivalent academic programmes are available.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the released funds represent half of the approved outstanding obligations for 2025, while the remaining balance is being processed in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.

He said the funds had already been credited to embassy accounts, adding that affected students should begin receiving payments immediately.

The minister said the intervention reflects the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the welfare and academic stability of Nigerian students abroad.

Alausa also commended the affected scholars for their patience during the delay and assured them that the government remained committed to clearing all verified obligations.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to sustaining support for Nigerian students in foreign institutions while strengthening domestic education policies.

Local scholars decry payment delays

Meanwhile, thousands of beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s local scholarship schemes have continued to express frustration over unpaid grants.

The Nigeria Award Scholarship and Education Bursary provide N300,000 per academic session to undergraduate beneficiaries selected by the Federal Scholarship Board.

Depending on the duration of their programmes, beneficiaries are usually paid for three or four years.

The scheme is separate from the student loan programme administered by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Although many students were awarded scholarships in 2024 after completing verification processes, none of the beneficiaries, including newly captured students, has reportedly received payment.

Sources said the Federal Scholarship Board had completed verification and submitted beneficiaries’ details, leaving payment processing to relevant government agencies.

A source familiar with the matter said, “The Federal Scholarship Board has done its part. What is left is for the Federal Government, through the Central Bank and relevant agencies, to release the funds.

“Beneficiaries have approached the Accountant General’s Office, the CBN, the Ministry of Finance and other agencies, but there has been no progress. It is unfair to award scholarships and fail to pay students.”

Several beneficiaries said they had resorted to borrowing and other means to cover tuition, accommodation and academic expenses.

A beneficiary at a federal university in the North-Central zone, Abiodun Abdulkareem, said many students were struggling to remain in school.

“We were told the funds would be released, but nothing has happened. Some students can barely afford textbooks or transportation to classes. The scholarship was meant to ease the burden, but the delay has worsened our situation,” he said.

Parents of affected students also expressed concern, saying many families had relied on the scholarship support amid worsening economic conditions.

“The economy is difficult for everyone. Parents counted on these scholarships to reduce educational expenses, but many are now forced to shoulder costs they cannot afford,” a parent said.

“We are not asking for favours. These are approved grants for students who completed all verification stages. The government should fulfil its obligations instead of keeping scholars in uncertainty,” one beneficiary said.

The Federal Government had earlier announced an increase in scholarship grants across academic levels as part of reforms aimed at improving the country’s scholarship system.

Alausa had earlier said that the foreign scholarship scheme was discontinued after the government uncovered widespread irregularities and abuse.

He said investigations revealed cases of duplicated beneficiaries and instances where students studying in Nigerian universities also received foreign scholarship payments.

 

He added that the programme, originally designed for specialised courses such as medicine, engineering and aeronautics, had gradually expanded beyond its intended scope.

 

The programme was formally scrapped in April 2025, affecting more than 1,200 students.

 

Although a provision for the scheme appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, the government clarified that it was a rollover allocation and not a reinstatement of the programme.