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- The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked a widely circulated report suggesting that it has launched plans to reabsorb Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholars into Nigerian universities.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the government described the report titled “BEA: Education Minister Receives Committee’s Report” as baseless and misleading.
The report had alleged that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, established a committee to handle the return of BEA beneficiaries to local institutions following the supposed termination of the programme.
The Ministry, however, made it clear that no such committee was formed, and no reintegration plans are in place.
It further clarified that the BEA Scholarship Programme was officially discontinued as announced in a previous release dated May 7, 2025.
The decision, according to the Ministry, was reached after a thorough evaluation of the programme, with a focus on enhancing Nigeria’s domestic higher education system.
The government explained that all the academic disciplines formerly pursued abroad under the BEA scheme are now offered in Nigerian universities and polytechnics, many of which meet or exceed international standards.
Despite the programme’s closure, the Ministry confirmed that existing BEA scholars currently studying abroad will continue to receive full support from the federal government.
This includes tuition, stipends, and other approved entitlements until the completion of their programmes.
The Ministry also cautioned the public to rely exclusively on its official platforms for accurate information, warning against the spread of unverified claims.