Nigerian students studying abroad under the Federal Government Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship program are facing dire financial hardships as stipends remain unpaid for months.
International scholars in countries such as Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, and Hungary are struggling to make ends meet, pleading with the government for urgent intervention.
The Coalition of Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement Student Association highlights the plight of scholars enduring severe financial strain, exacerbated by months-long delays in stipend disbursement. With some students going without stipends since their arrival in 2023, basic necessities like housing, food, and medical care have become inaccessible for many.
The situation is particularly dire in countries like Morocco, where inadequate provisions for student accommodations compound the financial burden. Evictions and illness due to hunger have become distressingly common among affected students.
Despite the economic challenges facing the nation, students receive little to no support from their families, and restrictions on employment in host countries further limit their ability to supplement their incomes. Urgent appeals are made to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and prioritize the welfare of Nigerian scholars abroad, recognizing them as the future of the nation.
The call for action comes as students struggle to maintain academic focus amidst escalating financial pressures. However, attempts to reach the government for comment on the matter have been met with silence, leaving students in a precarious situation with no immediate relief in sight.
