FG debunks report on return of BEA scholars to Nigerian universities

The Federal Ministry of Education has denied claims that a committee has been inaugurated to reintegrate Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholars into Nigerian universities, describing the information as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Saturday, May 17, 2025, and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry dismissed a circulating press release titled “BEA: Education Minister receives committee’s report”, which suggested that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, had received a report from a committee set up to oversee the reintegration of returning BEA scholars.

“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,” the statement read.

The Ministry clarified that the Federal Government had officially discontinued the BEA Scholarship Programme as announced in an earlier statement dated May 7, 2025.

According to the Ministry, the decision to end the programme followed a comprehensive policy review aimed at strengthening domestic tertiary education in Nigeria.

“All courses previously studied abroad through the BEA are now available—and often of higher quality—within Nigeria’s universities and polytechnics,” the Ministry noted.

Despite the programme’s discontinuation, the government assured that all ongoing BEA scholars would continue to enjoy full sponsorship until the completion of their academic programmes.

This includes tuition, stipends, and other approved entitlements.

The Ministry urged the public and media to rely solely on verified information released through its official communication channels.

FG debunks report on return of BEA scholars to Nigerian universities