The Federal Government has commenced the payment of outstanding 2025 allowances owed to Nigerian students benefiting from the Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship Programme in various partner countries.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, “the Central Bank of Nigeria has successfully remitted the approved funds to Nigerian embassies and missions for immediate disbursement to eligible scholars.”
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, explained that the released funds cover 50 per cent of the approved outstanding payments for 2025, while efforts are being intensified to clear the remaining balance.
He stated that the money had already reached the accounts of the affected Nigerian embassies, adding that the missions were expected to begin disbursing the allowances to beneficiaries without delay.
Alausa also advised students under the programme to keep checking their bank accounts as the payments begin to reflect.
The Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship Programme was designed to support Nigerian students studying in partner countries through financial assistance provided by the Federal Government.
Even though the scheme has been discontinued, several beneficiaries had repeatedly raised concerns over delayed payments, saying the situation subjected them to financial hardship while studying abroad.
The latest release of funds is expected to ease the burden on many of the affected students.
The minister noted that the payment aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the welfare and academic progress of Nigerian students studying overseas.
The Federal Government further reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities to Nigerian scholars and sustaining policies aimed at improving education, student welfare and national human capital development.