The Federal Government has announced the end of its Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme, a scheme that funded Nigerian students to study abroad.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, made this disclosure on Wednesday while addressing the public in Abuja.
Alausa explained that the decision follows a thorough policy review aimed at consolidating national investment in domestic tertiary institutions.
“Every course Nigerians travel abroad to study through the BEA is now available and often of higher quality within our own universities and polytechnics,” Alausa said.
“It is no longer justifiable to fund overseas studies with public resources when local alternatives exist.”
He noted that this discontinuation reflects a compassionate and equitable strategy to manage limited public funds responsibly, adding that “the costs involved in sponsoring students abroad, including airfare, stipends, tuition, and living allowances, are better redirected into strengthening local institutions where more Nigerians can benefit.”
Alausa also clarified that the government remains open to foreign governments offering fully funded scholarships to Nigerian students under bilateral or multilateral arrangements.
These offers, as listed by him, must cover tuition, accommodation, transportation, living expenses, and healthcare and provide a monthly allowance of no less than $500, without any financial obligation on the part of the Nigerian government.
The minister also assured that all current beneficiaries of the BEA Programme will continue to enjoy full government support until the completion of their studies.
Alausa added that the discontinuation of the BEA Programme will not affect other domestic scholarship initiatives, such as the Nigerian Scholarship Awards for students in public universities and polytechnics, the Federal Government Bursary for Education students, and the Presidential Scholarship for NYSC Ex-Corps Members.
The Nigerian Student Loan Programme, which offers interest-free loans to students pursuing higher education in the nation, will be expanded, he added.
“This is not an end, but a new beginning. Our focus is now on building a stronger, self-reliant education system that leaves no Nigerian behind.”
