The Nigerian government has officially terminated its Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme, opting instead to redirect public funds toward enhancing higher education within the country.
This policy shift was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, during a media briefing in Abuja.
He explained that the decision was the result of a thorough policy reassessment aimed at boosting Nigeria’s own academic institutions.
“Most of the academic programmes Nigerians travel abroad to pursue under the BEA are already offered—and often at a superior standard—by our local universities and polytechnics,” Dr. Alausa said.
“It no longer makes fiscal sense to sponsor studies overseas when domestic options are available.”
He noted that the government is adopting a more efficient financial approach to ensure public funds serve a larger number of students through local investment.
“Expenses such as international travel, stipends, tuition fees, and living costs for foreign studies could be better spent on improving infrastructure, faculty, and resources in our own institutions,” he added.
Despite the end of government-funded foreign scholarships, Dr. Alausa said Nigeria remains open to accepting international scholarship offers, provided they are fully funded.
“Such offers must cover all expenses—including tuition, accommodation, healthcare, transport, and a minimum $500 monthly stipend—without any financial responsibility falling on the Nigerian government,” he clarified.
He also reassured that current BEA scholarship recipients will not be impacted by the new policy. “All ongoing sponsorships will be honoured,” the Minister confirmed.
Dr. Alausa further stated that other domestic scholarship programmes will continue as planned.
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