Hundreds of Nigerian students on scholarship abroad are facing unprecedented hardship due to the government’s failure to pay their stipends. Despite the bilateral education agreement (BEA) between Nigeria and various countries, the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) has not fulfilled its financial obligations, leaving students stranded and desperate.
The BEA program, established over a decade ago, provides tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for Nigerian students pursuing degrees in countries like Algeria, China, Egypt, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and others. However, the constant delay in stipend payments has subjected students to ridicule and forced them to resort to menial jobs, loans, and selling personal belongings to survive.
Students in Morocco, for instance, have not received stipends for 11 months, while those in Venezuela have gone without payment for an entire year. The situation is dire, with students facing eviction from their accommodations and struggling to afford necessities like food and transportation.
The FSB attributes the delay to the extension of the 2023 supplementary budget, claiming that the ministers of education are working to resolve the issue. However, students and education consultants argue that the government’s foreign exchange crisis and devaluation of the naira have contributed significantly to the problem.
The situation has taken a toll on students’ academic performance, with many considering dropping out or seeking alternative funding sources. The Nigerian government’s inaction has not only embarrassed the country internationally but also jeopardized the future of its brightest minds.
Lawmakers have called for an investigation into the BEA scheme, and education consultants suggest that the government should consider shelving the program if it is no longer sustainable. Students, meanwhile, are left to fend for themselves, relying on the kindness of strangers and their resilience to survive in a foreign land.
The Nigerian government’s failure to support its scholars abroad is a national embarrassment and a betrayal of trust. It is imperative that the government takes immediate action to address the situation and ensure that these students receive the support they need to succeed.
