The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the cancellation of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme, describing it as a wasteful initiative that is unfair to students studying in Nigeria.
Dr. Alausa made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the newly elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at his office in Abuja.
The BEA scheme had allowed selected Nigerian students to study in countries like China, Russia, Hungary, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and Serbia. However, the Minister criticised the programme, saying it diverted huge resources to a few students studying courses that are widely available in Nigerian universities.
“I was asked to approve N650 million for just 60 students going to Morocco under BEA when I came into office in 2024. I refused. It’s not fair to the majority of Nigerian students,” he said.
Dr. Alausa said that despite recent clarifications that entitlements had been paid to beneficiaries up to December 2024, the government decided to discontinue the programme due to inefficiency and misuse of funds.
“In 2025 alone, the government planned to spend N9 billion on only 1,200 students abroad. That’s unjust when millions of students here get no support,” he added.
The Minister also faulted the academic structure of the programme, revealing that some students were sent to French-speaking countries like Algeria to study English, Psychology, and Sociology — courses he argued are better offered in Nigeria.
He further expressed disappointment with the attitude of some beneficiaries, whom he accused of resorting to social media blackmail over delayed allowances.
Dr. Alausa affirmed that the Federal Government would now redirect funds from the BEA to local scholarship schemes that will cater to a larger number of students.
“Every single course they are studying abroad is available here. We are scrapping BEA. The money will now be used to support more Nigerian students locally,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, praised the Minister for his bold reforms and efforts to reposition the education sector.
