The Federal Government has officially discontinued the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme, signaling a major shift in Nigeria’s education policy aimed at prioritizing and strengthening local tertiary institutions.

A statement issued by Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, said the announcement was made by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Dr. Alausa explained that the decision was reached after a comprehensive review of the country’s educational policies. He stated that the decision aligns with the government’s larger objective of optimizing public spending while promoting self-sufficiency within the education sector.

“Every course Nigerians travel abroad to study through the BEA is now available—and often of higher quality—within our own universities and polytechnics,” Dr. Alausa said.

“It is no longer justifiable to fund overseas studies with public resources when viable local alternatives exist.”

Dr. Alausa further stressed that the government’s decision to discontinue the BEA Scholarship Programme is a move to better manage public funds. He explained that resources previously allocated for funding overseas studies, including airfare, stipends, tuition, and living allowances, would now be redirected into strengthening Nigerian institutions. This, he said, would ultimately benefit more Nigerians by improving local universities and polytechnics.

The Minister emphasized that the government would remain open to fully funded scholarships offered by foreign governments through bilateral or multilateral agreements. However, these scholarships must cover all aspects of the students’ needs, including tuition, accommodation, transportation, healthcare, and provide a monthly stipend of no less than $500, without any financial obligation on the Nigerian government.

Dr. Alausa also reassured that the decision to end the BEA Scholarship Programme would not affect current beneficiaries of the programme. He assured that all students who are currently receiving BEA scholarships would continue to receive full government support until they complete their studies. “We will honour all existing commitments,” Dr. Alausa affirmed.

The Minister further explained that this policy change would not impact other domestic scholarship initiatives already in place. These include: The Nigerian Scholarship Awards for students in public universities and polytechnics, the Federal Government Bursary for Education students and the Presidential Scholarship for NYSC Ex-Corps Members

In addition to these existing scholarships, Dr. Alausa reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the Nigerian Student Loan Programme, which offers interest-free loans to Nigerian students pursuing higher education in the country.

“This is not an end, but a new beginning,” Dr. Alausa said. “Our focus is now on building a stronger, self-reliant education system that leaves no Nigerian behind.”

The discontinuation of the BEA Scholarship Programme marks a historic shift toward consolidating Nigeria’s educational development within its borders.

It positions local institutions as the central pillars of national growth and innovation, as the government focuses on strengthening the country’s education system to meet the needs of its citizens.

The scrapping of the BEA marks a historic transition toward consolidating Nigeria’s educational development within its borders, positioning local institutions as central to national growth and innovation.