Segun Atanda/
The Federal Government has officially scrapped the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme.
The move, announced by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, marks a major policy realignment prioritizing local tertiary institutions over government-funded foreign studies.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Alausa said the decision followed a comprehensive review of national education priorities.
“Every course Nigerians travel abroad to study through the BEA is now available – and often of higher quality – in our own universities and polytechnics,” the Minister stated. “It is no longer justifiable to fund overseas studies with public resources when local alternatives exist.”
The Minister described the policy shift as a compassionate and equitable approach to managing scarce public funds, adding that resources previously allocated for foreign scholarships will be redirected to strengthen local institutions, benefiting a broader population of Nigerian students.
However, Dr. Alausa clarified that Nigeria remains open to fully funded foreign scholarship offers that impose no financial obligation on the Federal Government. Such arrangements must comprehensively cover tuition, accommodation, travel, living expenses, healthcare, and provide a minimum monthly stipend of $500.
He also assured that current BEA scholars will not be affected, as the government will continue supporting them until they complete their studies.
“We will honour all existing commitments,” he said.
Domestic scholarship programmes remain untouched by the policy change. These include:
The Nigerian Scholarship Awards for students in public universities and polytechnics
The Federal Government Bursary for Education students
The Presidential Scholarship for NYSC Ex-Corps Members
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Nigerian Student Loan Programme, which offers interest-free loans to students pursuing higher education within the country.
“This is not an end, but a new beginning,” Dr. Alausa added. “Our focus is now on building a stronger, self-reliant education system that leaves no Nigerian behind.”
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