FG ENDS FOREIGN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME TO BOOST LOCAL EDUCATION

FG ENDS FOREIGN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME TO BOOST LOCAL EDUCATION

In a major policy shift, the Federal Government has officially announced the discontinuation of its Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme, signaling a renewed focus on strengthening Nigeria’s local tertiary education system.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja during a press briefing. He stated that the decision was the outcome of an extensive policy review aimed at realigning the nation’s educational priorities and ensuring more equitable use of public funds.

According to Dr. Alausa, the government can no longer justify spending public money to send students abroad when quality alternatives already exist in Nigeria. “Every course that Nigerians go abroad to study under the BEA scheme is now available locally — and often at a higher standard — in our universities and polytechnics,” he said. “It is more responsible to invest these funds into strengthening our institutions at home, where more citizens can benefit.”

The Minister emphasized that the costs involved in sending students overseas — including tuition, living expenses, airfare, and stipends — would be better spent on improving infrastructure, academic staff development, and research facilities in Nigerian universities and polytechnics.

However, the Federal Government says it will still welcome fully funded scholarships from foreign governments or institutions — as long as these offers cover all expenses, including tuition, accommodation, transport, healthcare, and a minimum monthly allowance of \$500, without any financial input from the Nigerian government.

In a reassuring note, Dr. Alausa confirmed that students currently benefiting from the BEA scholarship scheme will continue to receive full support until they complete their programmes. “We will honour all existing commitments,” he said.

He further clarified that this policy change does not affect other scholarship initiatives funded by the Federal Government. These include the Nigerian Scholarship Awards for students in public universities and polytechnics, the Federal Government Bursary for Education students, and the Presidential Scholarship for NYSC ex-Corps members.

Additionally, the Minister reiterated government’s commitment to expanding the Nigerian Student Loan Programme, which offers interest-free loans to students pursuing higher education within the country.

“This decision is not the end of opportunity,” Dr. Alausa said in closing. “It marks a new beginning — a strategic step toward building a stronger, more self-reliant education system that leaves no Nigerian behind.”

The announcement has sparked conversations across the country about the future of international education and the need to urgently upgrade local institutions to meet rising expectations.