Federal Scholarship Board, Nigeria

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
PRESS RELEASE

30 April 2026

BEA SCHOLARSHIP NOT REINSTATED: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLARIFIES 2026 BUDGET ROLL-OVER PROVISIONS

The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the inclusion of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship in the 2026 national budget does not indicate a reversal of the decision to discontinue new awards under the scheme.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, explained that the provision originates from the 2025 budget, which had already been approved before the suspension of new BEA scholarships in April–May 2025. Due to budgetary procedures, such provisions cannot be removed retroactively.

He further noted that the 2026 budget is largely a roll-over of the 2025 fiscal framework, with existing budget lines including BEA carried forward as part of standard practice. He emphasised that the presence of the allocation is purely procedural and does not signal the resumption of new scholarship awards.

The Ministry added that any adjustments to the BEA budget line can only be made through an approved virement to align with current government policies.

It also reassured that all current BEA beneficiaries studying abroad will continue to receive full government support.

The Ministry urged the public to disregard misleading interpretations and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management.

Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations

Yes to fraud

No to stipends

PRESS RELEASE

16/1/26

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLARIFIES FALSE CLAIMS OF BEA SCHOLARSHIP IN HUNGARY

The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that certain Nigerian students in Hungary claiming financial support under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship are not official BEA scholars. Verification by the appropriate authorities shows that these individuals have never received any scholarship award under the programme.

Claims to BEA benefits such as monthly allowances, loans, or credit facilities do not apply to them. The Government emphasizes that only duly awarded and properly documented BEA beneficiaries are eligible for financial support.

While the Government recognizes and appreciates the support provided by host countries for international students, it stresses that Federal Government obligations apply only to officially awarded and properly documented BEA beneficiaries.

This clarification is issued to prevent misinformation, uphold transparency, and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s scholarship programmes.

Boriowo Folasade
Director Press and Public Relations

Happening Live at 11:00 AM (WAT)
📺 Channels TV | ARISE News | TVC News

Today, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, convenes a historic ceremony marking the unveiling of the Agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

This moment goes far beyond the unveiling of a document. It represents renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive turning point in the ongoing effort to stabilise and strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The agreement is a clear, deliberate, and unprecedented demonstration of the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to quality education, constructive engagement, and sustainable reforms that place students, lecturers, and institutions at the heart of national development.

📡 Tune in live at 11:00 AM WAT, today, Wednesday 14th January, on Channels TV, ARISE News, and TVC News.

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SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT

The Federal Government has cancelled the BEA Scholarship Programme. No funds were budgeted for fresh scholarships in the 2026 budget. The opposition should stop weaponising fake news to discredit the Renewed Hope Agenda on Education

PRESS RELEASE

FAKE NEWS ALERT: DISCLAIMER ON FORGED BEA AWARD LETTERS AND ONGOING INVESTIGATION

The general public is hereby advised to disregard and treat with utmost caution the ongoing campaign of misinformation and calumny orchestrated by a group of fraudulent individuals, posing as students, and their accomplices. This coordinated attempt is aimed at disparaging and discrediting the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB), and the Renewed Hope Agenda on education.

The Federal Ministry of Education wishes to unequivocally reiterate its position that the purported BEA award letters currently circulating on social media are fake and fraudulent. The signatures contained in these forged documents do not belong to the Director/Secretary of the Federal Scholarship Board. A careful review of the documents, including those displayed in the propaganda videos, clearly reveals glaring inconsistencies. Forgery is a serious criminal offence, and this matter has already been formally reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies.

For the avoidance of doubt, no BEA award letter was issued by the Federal Scholarship Board in the year 2025. Any individual currently in possession of such forged documents is advised to return to Nigeria immediately. The Federal Ministry of Education has no record of, nor responsibility for, such individuals’ presence abroad, and consequently no financial disbursement whatsoever will be made to them.

As previously communicated, all legitimate entitlements have been settled except for the outstanding shortfalls for 2023 and 2024. However, all payments are presently suspended pending the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation into widespread fraudulent practices involving supposed beneficiaries of the programme.

Findings from Preliminary Investigations

Recent investigations have uncovered disturbing and unacceptable levels of misconduct by some individuals who were beneficiaries of this privilege. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Students who have dropped out, been expelled for poor academic performance, or are currently incarcerated abroad, yet continue to fraudulently receive stipends through proxies.

2. Individuals who have returned to Nigeria or relocated to other countries, but collude with other fraudulent BEA claimants by submitting forged documents to continue receiving monthly payments.

3. Beneficiaries who have changed their programme of study, university, or city in clear violation of the scholarship agreement, and are using public funds to pay tuition in unauthorized institutions or programmes, thereby rendering their awards null and void.

Investigations have also revealed the complicity of certain individuals, including fellow students and possibly some corrupt officials, who aided and facilitated these fraudulent claims.

Alarmingly, preliminary findings indicate that approximately 50 percent of the programme’s budget has been lost to fraudulent activities. Funds meant to support genuine and deserving students have instead been diverted to individuals who constitute the majority of those currently on the payroll. These actions represent a gross breach of the terms and conditions of the BEA scholarship, which clearly require honesty, good conduct, and accurate reporting by all beneficiaries.

Government Action and Next Steps

In response to these developments, the Honourable Minister of Education has taken decisive action by formally engaging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and relevant international partners to investigate these abuses. Official correspondence has been dispatched to Nigerian embassies and partner countries to commence a comprehensive, transparent, and verifiable audit of all BEA beneficiaries abroad.

Regrettably, instead of conducting physical verification exercises supported by video evidence, some embassies opted for proxy-based verification, which further compromised the integrity of the process. This lapse is currently under review.

Before any further payment is authorized, every kobo lost to fraud over the past five years will be traced and recovered. All individuals found culpable—including student accomplices—will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, in line with applicable national and international legal frameworks.

Call for Whistleblowers

To expedite the clean-up process, legitimate students are encouraged to anonymously report any illegitimate beneficiary known to them to the Director, Federal Scholarship Board, via 08126803658. Furthermore, individuals who previously collected funds on behalf of fraudulent claimants are mandatorily required to come forward immediately. Failure to do so will result in the total cancellation of their scholarship award and possible prosecution as co-conspirators.

Whistleblowers who provide credible and verifiable information will be rewarded with USD 150 per confirmed case.

Future of the BEA Programme

Following the successful removal of fraudulent beneficiaries from the payroll and the recovery of misappropriated funds, the Federal Scholarship Board is considering an upward review of the monthly stipend from USD 500 to USD 750, through the redistribution of surplus funds within the approved budget.

The BEA Scholarship is not an entitlement, but a privilege generously funded by Nigerian taxpayers to support sincere, disciplined, and deserving students. The ongoing attempts by fraudulent beneficiaries to blackmail the government through social media campaigns are condemnable and deeply unfortunate. Such actions tarnish the image of the country, undermine public trust, and ultimately delay relief and support for genuine students.

The Federal Scholarship Board reaffirms its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in the administration of all scholarship programmes and it will never be cajoled by fake news and blackmail.

PRESS RELEASE

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
PRESS RELEASE
October 22, 2025

NIGERIA, INDIA STRENGTHEN EDUCATIONAL TIES AS PLANS ADVANCE FOR FIRST IIT CAMPUS

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Government of India on establishing a Nigerian campus of the globally acclaimed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), aimed at advancing science, technology, and innovation-driven education in Nigeria.

Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Abhishek Singh, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a landmark in Nigeria–India educational cooperation and a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He identified the Federal Government Academy (FGA), Suleja, as the proposed flagship site, emphasizing its transformation into an autonomous centre of excellence aligned with IIT standards.

To fast-track implementation, the Minister announced a joint technical working group led by Dr. Layi Olatawura and Mrs. Mary Millicent Nnawuogo to coordinate feasibility studies with the Indian High Commission.

Dr. Alausa commended India’s contributions to Nigeria’s human capital development through the ITEC and ICCR programmes, and praised the IIT system for its global excellence.

In response, H.E. Abhishek Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment, citing the success of IIT Madras Zanzibar as a model for IIT Nigeria. Both nations pledged to establish the IIT Nigeria campus as a sustainable hub of academic excellence, innovation, and partnership.

Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations