The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, has announced a 12.7% reduction in allowances for foreign scholars currently stranded in countries such as Russia, Morocco, and Algeria. The decision is attributed to ongoing economic challenges.
Previously, Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other countries under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship have expressed concerns over unpaid stipends for the past eight months.
The BEA scholarship facilitates educational exchange between Nigeria and its partner countries, and the Federal Scholarship Board oversees this program under the Ministry of Education.
A memo signed by the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Ndajiwo H.A., on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, confirmed the reduction. The memo, dated July 23, 2024, addressed to the scholars’ association, stated that budgetary constraints necessitated the adjustment in scholarship allowances for the 2024 academic year.
Monthly allowances have been reduced from $500 to $220, graduation allowances from $2500 to $2000, and postgraduate research allowances from $1,000 to $500, among other reductions. This adjustment brings the total annual allowance from $5,650 to $4,370 per student.
The ministry assured scholars that the outstanding payments for 2023 and 2024 would be made once funds are available.
Ayuba Anas, President of the Union of Nigerian Students under the BEA Scholarship, highlighted that scholars have faced financial difficulties due to the delay in stipend payments for nearly eight months. He also noted discrepancies in the last received payments and the lack of stipends for some students in China since April and May 2023.
