The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the termination of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme, describing it as an inefficient use of public funds.

Dr. Alausa made the announcement in Abuja on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the newly elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

He revealed that upon assuming office in 2024, he was asked to approve N650 million for 60 students headed to Morocco under the BEA scheme — a request he declined.

“It’s not equitable to the millions of Nigerian students who receive no government support,” the minister stated.

He criticised the programme for funding courses readily available in Nigerian universities. “Some students were sent to Algeria to study English, Psychology, and Sociology — disciplines we arguably teach better here,” he said.

Dr Alausa also expressed concern over the conduct of some scholars, citing instances of online blackmail over delayed allowances.

Some BEA beneficiaries had previously accused the Federal Government of neglecting their welfare. However, the government recently clarified that all supplementary allowances had been paid up to December 2024.

The BEA, a product of diplomatic agreements, enabled Nigerians to study in countries including China, Russia, Hungary, Egypt, and Serbia. The minister said the scheme would be phased out by 2025, with current beneficiaries allowed to complete their programmes.

He stressed that future funding would be redirected to local scholarship schemes, allowing more Nigerian students to benefit.

“We planned to spend N9 billion on just 1,200 students in 2025 — a gross injustice when so many go without support,” he said. He also cited the lack of academic monitoring and annual free travel for beneficiaries as additional shortcomings of the programme.

Earlier, NANS President Olushola Oladoja praised the minister’s reforms and reaffirmed the student body’s support for ongoing education sector improvements.