The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, has announced a 12.7% reduction in allowances for Nigerian scholars stranded in countries including Russia, Morocco, and Algeria.
This decision is attributed to ongoing economic crises. It was earlier reported that Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other countries under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship had not received their stipends for eight months.
The BEA scholarship facilitates educational exchange between Nigeria and partner countries, with the Federal Scholarship Board, under the Ministry of Education, overseeing the program.
The announcement to reduce the scholars’ allowances was detailed in a memo signed by Ndajiwo H.A., Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman. The memo, dated July 23, 2024, and addressed to the scholars’ association, stated: “After due consultations, the Federal Scholarship Board has come up with adjustments in line with budgetary provisions in the payment of BEA scholars’ supplementation allowances for the 2024 academic year.”
The adjustments include a reduction in monthly allowances from $500 to $220, graduation allowances from $2,500 to $2,000, and PG research allowances from $1,000 to $500. The total payment per student has been reduced from $5,650 to $4,370.
The ministry added, “The Scholars’ Association is hereby notified that due to the prevailing economic situation, the payment mandate for the BEA scholars’ allowances will be as per the new adjustment. The balances for the years 2023 and 2024 owed to scholars will be paid as soon as the funds are made available.”
Ayuba Anas, President of the Union of Nigerian Students under the BEA Scholarship, recently highlighted that scholars had not been paid for nearly eight months, adding that there was a shortfall in the last payment period and some students in China had not received any stipends since their arrival in April and May 2023.
Credit: The Punch