The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of outstanding 2025 allowances owed to beneficiaries of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme studying in partner countries abroad, offering relief to Nigerian students who had raised concerns over prolonged payment delays.
The development 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, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade.
The statement was also reposted on X by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the ministry, the Central Bank of Nigeria has successfully transferred the approved funds to Nigerian embassies and diplomatic missions responsible for facilitating payment to eligible scholars across various countries.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria has successfully remitted the approved funds to Nigerian embassies and missions for immediate disbursement to eligible scholars,” the statement read.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that the latest release covers 50 per cent of the approved outstanding obligations for 2025 under the scholarship programme.
He noted that efforts were already underway to ensure the remaining balance is settled in due course.
According to the minister, the affected embassies have already received the funds and are expected to begin immediate payment to beneficiaries.
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He also advised students under the programme to monitor their bank accounts as the disbursement process progresses.
The BEA Scholarship Programme was designed to support Nigerian students pursuing academic programmes in countries that maintain educational agreements with Nigeria.
Although the programme has since been discontinued, beneficiaries had repeatedly complained about delays in payment of allowances, warning that the situation had created severe financial hardship for students living abroad.
The latest intervention by the Federal Government is expected to ease pressure on many affected scholars who have struggled with accommodation, feeding, transportation and academic expenses amid the delay.
Alausa stated that the payment reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the welfare and academic success of Nigerian students abroad under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling obligations to Nigerian scholars and sustaining policies aimed at improving access to quality education, student welfare and national human capital development.