FG Blames ‘Fiscal Constraints’ For Non-Payment Of Nigerian Scholars In Morocco

…Offers Scholars Option To Complete Education Programme In Nigeria

The Federal Government has blamed fiscal constraints as the reason for the non-payment of Nigerian scholars in Morocco, denying allegations that the students have been abandoned.

The students were beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme.

Recall that a protest was held in November 2025 by parents and beneficiaries of the BEA scholarship programme, who demanded immediate payment of outstanding stipends owed to Nigerian students studying abroad.

The protesters cited hardship endured by their children, including hunger, homelessness, and mental distress, due to non-payment and reduction of stipends.

Also, social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse popularly known as VeryDarkMan, recently brought attention to the matter, citing the plight of scholars who allegedly faced challenges with payment of school fees and monthly allowances.

However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that no Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned.

“All beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with the Federal Government’s obligations.

“Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance,” he explained in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade on Wednesday.

The minister further stated that no new bilateral scholarship awards were made in October 2025 or at any time thereafter.

“Documents being circulated to suggest otherwise are fake, unauthenticated, and constitute a calculated attempt to mislead the public and discredit government policy,” the statement said.

Alausa explained that the decision to discontinue government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a comprehensive policy review, which established that Nigeria now possesses sufficient capacity within its universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to deliver the affected programmes locally.

“Consequently, only scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments are now being supported, with all financial obligations borne entirely by the host countries.

“Notwithstanding this policy shift, the Federal Government remains fully committed to students already enrolled under the previous arrangements and will continue to support them until the completion of their programmes.

“In addition, students who may prefer to discontinue their studies abroad may formally write to the Director, Department of Scholarship Awards. Such students are being offered the option of returning to Nigeria, where they will be seamlessly reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice.

“The Federal Government will also cover their return travel costs to ensure a smooth and orderly transition,” it noted.

Alausa added that the current administration remains resolute in eliminating inefficiencies and abuses within the scholarship system.

“Past practices that sponsored overseas training for courses already well established in Nigeria placed avoidable financial burdens on the nation. The ongoing reforms are therefore aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources,” the statement noted.

The minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students and strongly rejected any form of misinformation, blackmail, or any attempt to undermine policies designed to strengthen national capacity and safeguard the integrity of the education sector.

FG Blames ‘Fiscal Constraints’ For Non-Payment Of Nigerian Scholars In Morocco is first published on The Whistler Newspaper