The Federal Government don clarify BEA scholarship status and, as e be, insist say no plan to reinstate new foreign scholarship awards despite the programme appearance for 2026 budget. Meanwhile, the clarification come after confusion and online reports wey suggest say government don quietly bring back the scheme.
According to statement from Federal Ministry of Education, Minister Tunji Alausa explain say the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship wey still appear for budget na carry-over from previous fiscal plan, not new approval.
Furthermore, he talk say the allocation originate from 2025 budget wey already pass into law before government stop processing new BEA scholarships around April and May 2025.
In addition, the minister explain say under Nigeria budgeting system, government no fit remove items from approved budget retroactively, so the BEA provision remain part of the structure.
Moreover, he note say 2026 budget largely depend on rollover system, where about 30 per cent of previous year allocation remain, while 70 per cent project into new cycle.
However, he emphasise say the presence of BEA line for budget no mean say new scholarships don resume.
“Na normal budget process, not policy change,” he clarify.
On the other hand, Alausa assure say Nigerian students wey already dey benefit from the scholarship abroad go continue to receive full government support.
Consequently, he advise the public to ignore misleading interpretation of budget figures wey no reflect how government finance process work.
As discussions around education funding continue, stakeholders dey call for clearer communication to avoid confusion on major government programmes.
