Reforming Education: Addressing Claims Surrounding the BEA Scholarship Scheme
A recent exchange has brought the future of Nigeria’s foreign scholarship programs under scrutiny, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar levelling accusations of neglect and abandonment against the current administration’s handling of the Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme. In response, Denge Josef Onoh, a former southeast spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has strongly refuted these claims, presenting a counter-narrative that emphasizes policy reform driven by economic realities and a strategic pivot towards strengthening domestic educational institutions.
Onoh contends that Abubakar’s portrayal of the situation as a “callous abandonment” misrepresents the government’s actions. Instead, he argues, the shift in policy is a pragmatic reform aimed at prioritizing Nigerian higher education institutions in the face of inherited fiscal constraints. This recalibration, according to Onoh, is not an “outright abandonment” but a necessary adjustment to ensure the nation’s long-term educational self-sufficiency.
Dismantling Allegations: A Point-by-Point Rebuttal
Onoh has systematically addressed Abubakar’s allegations, providing factual counterpoints to each assertion:
- Allegation 1: The BEA scheme was “quietly obliterated” without notice.
Onoh refutes this, stating it is “patently false.” The Federal Ministry of Education, he explains, officially announced the discontinuation of government-funded foreign scholarships in May 2025, following a comprehensive policy review. This decision was communicated publicly through ministerial statements, highlighting that Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges now possess the capacity to offer equivalent or even superior programs locally. This move, he emphasizes, was part of broader economic reforms initiated after President Tinubu took office in May 2023 to address the nation’s strained public finances. While an initial five-year suspension was considered, the review concluded that full discontinuation was necessary, with only fully foreign-funded scholarships continuing. Parents and students, Onoh asserts, were not left uninformed, with notifications issued and a July 2024 update specifically addressing stipend adjustments due to exchange-rate pressures.
Allegation 2: 1,600 students were left “stranded without support.”
This claim is described as a “gross exaggeration.” The Ministry of Education has categorically stated that no valid BEA scholar has been abandoned. All students enrolled before 2024 have reportedly received payments up to the 2024 budget year, honouring government obligations. Any delays in 2025 payments are attributed to temporary fiscal challenges that are actively being addressed in coordination with the Ministry of Finance. Onoh further clarifies that no new scholarships were awarded after October 2025, and any documents suggesting otherwise are deemed unauthentic. For existing scholars, the government remains committed to supporting them until graduation, including covering return travel costs for those who may opt to transfer back to Nigerian institutions. “This is hardly ‘abandonment’—it’s responsible stewardship of scarce resources, redirecting funds to bolster local education infrastructure that benefits far more Nigerians,” Onoh stressed.Allegation 3: Unpaid stipends and arrears amounting to “thousands of dollars.”
Onoh acknowledges that stipends were paid partially in 2023 and 2024, but notes a practical adjustment in the monthly amount, reduced from $500 to $220 in 2024. This reduction is explained as a necessary measure to account for naira devaluation and budgetary constraints, not an act of “cruelty.” Arrears from 2023 and 2024 have been acknowledged, with partial payments made in September 2024. While no payments occurred in 2025 due to ongoing fiscal reviews, the ministry assures that balances will be cleared as funds become available. This situation, Onoh argues, reflects Nigeria’s economic challenges, exacerbated by global inflation and currency fluctuations, rather than intentional neglect. Transparency is highlighted, citing the House of Representatives’ investigation into stipend delays in November 2025, where parents’ concerns were addressed.
Allegation 4: Hardship worsened between September and December 2023, with stipends slashed and stopped.
This narrative, according to Onoh, ignores the broader economic context. The issues stem from inherited economic woes, including the removal of fuel subsidies and forex reforms, which were necessary for economic stabilization. While Atiku Abubakar has criticized these reforms, Onoh suggests they have prevented deeper crises. Student concerns have not been met with “cold, technocratic” indifference; engagement has occurred through various forums, including Zoom calls with the Federal Scholarship Board and public assurances. Protests in Abuja were acknowledged, and the minister proposed reintegration options for affected students, demonstrating proactive care.Allegation 5: The tragic death of a student in Morocco is solely due to stipend delays.
Onoh points out that the student’s death occurred in November 2025, not 2023 as erroneously stated. While acknowledging the tragedy, he states it cannot be solely attributed to stipend delays without concrete evidence. Although parents and students have linked the incident to financial hardship, the government has refuted claims of abandonment in Morocco, noting that all valid scholars there were paid up to 2024 and that current delays are being addressed. This incident, he suggests, underscores the need for reform, not a negation of the administration’s efforts to support student welfare.
A Strategic Shift Towards Local Capacity Building
Onoh concludes by framing Abubakar’s narrative as a political manoeuvre ahead of the 2027 elections. He reminds that the BEA program, initiated in 1993 and revitalized in 1999 under previous PDP governments, also faced funding issues. President Tinubu’s administration, he asserts, is focused on building local capacity, which will create sustainable opportunities for a greater number of Nigerians, rather than subsidizing a select few abroad during economic strain.
The administration’s commitment to education, as a cornerstone of the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” is emphasized, with the reforms expected to yield long-term benefits. Onoh urges Atiku Abubakar to engage in constructive dialogue and refrain from spreading misinformation.
