The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of outstanding 2025 allowances to beneficiaries of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme studying in partner countries abroad.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
The BEA scholarship programme, which provided financial support to Nigerian students studying overseas through partnerships with foreign countries, had previously been discontinued. However, beneficiaries had repeatedly raised concerns over delays in the payment of their allowances, stating that the situation had caused financial hardship for many students abroad.
According to the ministry, the payment process has now begun following the successful transfer of approved funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria to Nigerian embassies and foreign missions for onward disbursement to eligible scholars.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria has successfully remitted the approved funds to Nigerian embassies and missions for immediate disbursement to eligible scholars,” the statement noted.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the released funds represent 50 per cent of the approved outstanding obligations for 2025. He added that the government is already working to ensure the payment of the remaining balance.
Alausa further disclosed that the funds had already reached embassy accounts and expressed confidence that the affected missions would begin payment to beneficiaries without delay.
He urged scholarship recipients to monitor their bank accounts as payments are expected to start reflecting.
The latest payment is expected to bring relief to affected students who had struggled with the prolonged delay in receiving their allowances.
The minister stated that the move demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and academic progress of Nigerian students studying abroad under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal Government also reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its obligations to Nigerian scholars while sustaining policies aimed at improving education, student welfare, and the development of human capital.
FG Begins Payment of Outstanding 2025 BEA Scholarship Allowances to Nigerian Students Abroad
