Fed Govt slashes allowances of stranded scholars abroad by 12.7%

The Federal Government has slashed the allowances of foreign scholars studying under the Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship and currently stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria, among others, by 12.7 per cent.

The government, which convened its decision to the scholars through the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE), attributed the development to the current economic crises.

Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other countries, on the Federal Government’s scholarship, have lamented their unpaid stipends for eight months running.

The BEA scholarship is for education exchange between Nigeria and partnering countries, while the Federal Scholarship Board is supervising the scholarship under the Ministry of Education.

The government’s decision to slash the allowances was conveyed in a July 23 memo signed by the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, H.A. Ndajiwo, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

It reads: “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.

“The monthly allowances were slashed from $500 to $220; the graduation allowance from $2,500 to $2,000; and the PG 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 will be paid as soon as the funds are made available.”