FG Breaks Silence On Scholarship Debt, Commences Payment To Students Abroad

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

According to the ministry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has successfully transferred the approved funds to Nigerian embassies and foreign missions for immediate distribution to eligible students.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the funds released represent 50 percent of the approved outstanding payments for 2025, while efforts are ongoing to settle the remaining balance.

Alausa noted that the funds had already reached the accounts of the affected embassies and missions, which are expected to begin disbursing payments to beneficiaries without delay. He also advised students to monitor their bank accounts as the payments begin to reflect.

The BEA Scholarship Programme provides financial support for Nigerian students studying in partner countries under agreements with the Federal Government.

Although the programme has since been discontinued, many beneficiaries had repeatedly raised concerns over delays in the payment of their allowances, saying the situation created financial hardship for them abroad.

The latest payment is expected to ease the difficulties faced by many of the affected students.

The minister stated that the disbursement demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and educational success of Nigerian students abroad under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Federal Government also reaffirmed its dedication to fulfilling its obligations to Nigerian scholars and sustaining policies aimed at improving education, student welfare, and national human capital development.