Nigerian students studying abroad under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement scholarship scheme have raised concerns over outstanding stipends, particularly with the approaching closure of the 2024 and 2025 budget cycles.
Here are the major reasons behind their concerns:
1. Only about 23% of their 2025 stipends has been paid
The Union of Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars said only about 23 per cent of the total stipends due for 2025 had been paid.
Although the latest part-payment provided some relief, the union said it was far from resolving the prolonged payment crisis.
2. The 2025 budget was not enough to cover the full obligation
According to the union, the amount budgeted for 2025 was only about 46 per cent of the total amount required for the year.
It said only half of that budgeted amount had been paid, despite repeated assurances that the remaining amount would be released.
3. They are still owed part of their 2023 stipends
The payment backlog goes as far back as 2023.
The scholars said they were still owed stipends covering four months of that year, in addition to a separate shortfall of more than $1,000.
4. Only about 46% of their 2024 stipends has been paid
The union also disclosed that less than half of the total stipends due for 2024 had been paid.
It said only about 46 per cent of the 2024 stipends had so far been received by the scholars.
5. No 2026 payment had been received
The situation has extended into the current year, with the scholars saying they had received no payment for 2026 as of the time their statement was issued.
This means outstanding obligations have accumulated across multiple years.
6. The September 30 budget deadline is causing concern
One of the major concerns raised by the scholars is the approaching closure of the 2024 and 2025 budget cycles on September 30, 2026.
The union fears that once the budget cycles are closed, settling the outstanding obligations could become more difficult.
It therefore appealed to the government to release the remaining 2025 payment and other outstanding backlogs before the deadline.
7. Delayed stipends can affect students living abroad
The BEA scholarship is designed to provide selected Nigerian students with government-funded opportunities to study in partner countries.
Because these students are studying outside Nigeria, delayed stipends can make it difficult for them to meet their living and academic expenses in their host countries.
The union consequently appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Education Minister Tunji Alausa, the Federal Scholarship Board and other relevant stakeholders to intervene urgently and prevent the arrears from increasing further.
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