ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Government has commenced the payment of outstanding 2025 allowances to beneficiaries of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme studying in partner countries abroad.
This 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.
According to the statement, “the Central Bank of Nigeria has successfully remitted the approved funds to Nigerian embassies and missions for immediate disbursement to eligible scholars.”
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the released funds represent 50 per cent of the approved outstanding obligations for 2025, adding that efforts were ongoing to settle the remaining balance.
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He explained that the funds had already been credited to embassy accounts and directed relevant missions to begin payment to beneficiaries without delay.
He also urged scholars to monitor their accounts as the payments start to reflect.
The BEA scholarship programme provides financial support to Nigerian students studying in partner countries under bilateral arrangements with the Federal Government.
Although the scheme has been discontinued, some beneficiaries have continued to express concerns over delayed allowance payments, citing financial hardship caused by the backlog.
The latest disbursement is expected to bring relief to affected scholars.
Alausa noted that the move reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and academic success of Nigerian students abroad under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its obligations to Nigerian scholars and sustaining policies aimed at improving education, student welfare, and human capital development.