Economic Hardship Forces Nigerian Govt to Cut Foreign Scholars’ Allowances

The Nigerian Government has reduced the allowances of foreign scholars studying under the Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship by 12.7%.

These scholars, currently stranded in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, and other countries, were informed of the reduction through a memo issued by the Nigerian Government.

The memo, signed by Ndajiwo H.A, Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, explained that the balance owed to the students would be paid when funds become available. The government attributed the reduction to the current economic crunch in the country.

Recently, Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other countries on Federal Government scholarships lamented their unpaid stipends for eight months.

The BEA scholarship is an education exchange program between Nigeria and partnering countries, supervised by the Federal Scholarship Board under the Federal Ministry of Education.

The memo stated: “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.”

Monthly allowances were slashed from $500 to $220, the graduation allowance from $2,500 to $2,000, and the postgraduate research allowance from $1,000 to $500. The total amount initially payable to each student was $5,650, but it will now be $4,370 per scholar.

“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 government stated.