Education Ministry Debunks Claim of BEA Scholars’ Repatriation

In a statement issued by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry described the claim as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard it entirely.

“There is no such plan in place,” the statement read, reaffirming that all current BEA scholars will continue to receive full government support covering tuition, stipends, and other approved entitlements until they complete their academic programmes.

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to a false and misleading press release circulating in the media under the title ‘BEA: Education Minister receives committee’s report’,” the Ministry noted.

“The release falsely claims that the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, inaugurated a committee to oversee the reintegration of returning Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholars into Nigerian universities following the alleged cancellation of the BEA Programme.

Also Read: Education Minister Announces Five-Year Suspension of Bilateral Scholarship Scheme

“The Ministry categorically states that no such committee was inaugurated, and no reintegration plan for BEA scholars is in place. The public is advised to disregard this misinformation in its entirety,” it added.

The Ministry clarified that the Federal Government had discontinued the BEA Scholarship Programme as part of a broader policy shift to focus on strengthening domestic tertiary education.

“This decision followed a comprehensive policy review, recognising that all courses previously studied abroad through the BEA are now available, and often of higher quality within Nigeria’s universities and polytechnics,” the statement explained.

It further reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting all ongoing BEA scholars until they conclude their studies.