Scholars studying abroad under Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship face financial hardship
Nigerian students studying in various countries, including Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, and Hungary, under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship, have raised concerns over the non-payment of their stipends for the past eight months.
The BEA scholarship program aims to facilitate educational exchange between Nigeria and partner countries, and it is overseen by the Federal Scholarship Board under the Federal Ministry of Education.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ayuba Anas, President of the Union of Nigerian Students under the Federal Government-controlled BEA Scholarship, expressed the scholars’ distress at the prolonged delay in receiving their stipends. He highlighted that for the past six to eight months, students enrolled in various foreign institutions have been facing financial strain due to the non-disbursement of their stipends.
Anas further explained that the most recent payments received by the students, covering the period from March to August, had a significant shortfall of approximately two and a half months’ payment. He also noted that some students studying in China had not received any stipends since arriving in April and May of 2023.
The delayed stipend disbursement has led to severe consequences for the students, particularly those residing in countries like Morocco, where adequate provisions for school hostels are lacking compared to other BEA partner countries. The stipends are crucial for covering basic expenses such as housing, utilities, study materials, internet bills, transportation, and food. Some students have faced eviction due to difficulties in paying rent, while others have fallen ill due to hunger, requiring urgent medical attention. These hardships persist as the stipend disbursement continues to be delayed.
Anas highlighted the challenges faced by scholars in Russia, where the increased cost of living has compounded their financial difficulties caused by the prolonged stipend delay. The students are forced to navigate these hardships while dealing with the pressures of academic stress, which has affected their ability to focus on their studies and strive for academic excellence.
The students acknowledged the economic challenges faced by the country but pointed out that the terms of the education exchange program prohibit them from taking up any employment to support themselves. They implored the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to recognize their plight and take immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
The students earnestly appealed to President Tinubu, referring to him as a father figure and visionary in education, to intervene in this pressing matter. They believe that his intervention in ensuring the prompt disbursement of their stipends would not only alleviate their current hardships but also allow them to wholeheartedly focus on their studies. They expressed confidence that President Tinubu’s compassionate and forward-thinking leadership would prompt swift action to resolve the issue, enabling them to continue their academic pursuits without the burden of financial strain.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no response from the Federal Ministry of Education regarding the matter.