As economy bites harder, FG reduces allowances for foreign students

The Federal Ministry of Education, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, has announced a reduction of 12.7% in the allowances granted to foreign students currently stranded in various countries such as Russia, Morocco, Algeria, and others.

The ministry cited the current economic challenges as the reason for the decision.

Persecondnews had earlier reported that Nigerian students on government scholarships in various countries, including Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and several others, were struggling due to unpaid stipends, with some going without funding for as long as eight months.

The students are studying under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship.

Under the direction of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Scholarship Board administers the BEA scholarship programme, which promotes educational exchange between Nigeria and its partner- nations.

The Federal Scholarship Board Director, Mr. Ndajiwo H.A., signed a memo on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, outlining the government’s decision to reduce the scholars’ allowances.

The memo, dated July 23, 2024, and addressed to the scholars’ association, read: “After due consultations, the Federal Scholarship Board has come up with adjustments in line with budgetary provisions in the payment of BEA scholars’s supplementation allowances for the 2024 academic year.”

The memo reveals that the monthly stipend has been reduced from $500 to $220, the graduation allowance decreased from $2,500 to $2,000, and the postgraduate research allowance was cut from $1,000 to $500, among other adjustments.

The initial payment total was $5,650 per student, but it will now be $4,370.

The minister said: “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.”

The President of the Union of Nigerian Students, Mr. Ayuba Anas, who is part of the Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship programme under the Federal Government, has spoken out about the scholars’ prolonged wait for payment, which has now stretched to almost eight months.

Anas said: “For the past six to eight months, scholars enrolled in various institutions abroad have endured financial strain due to the delay in receiving their stipends.

“In addition, from the last payments we received (March-August), there was a shortfall of practically two and a half months’ payment.

“Moreover, some students in China have not received any stipends since they arrived in April and May 2023.”