The Union of Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars (UNBEAS) has appealed to the federal government to urgently resolve the prolonged delay in stipend payments and the recent 56% reduction in allowances affecting Nigerian students studying abroad under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship.
In a statement, the scholars expressed frustration over the persistent delays and drastic cuts, which have left many struggling to survive. According to UNBEAS, the last payment received covered January to August 2023, but even then, it fell short by over two months’ worth of stipends due to exchange rate fluctuations.
“For years, we have endured delayed payments, but the situation worsened in 2023 when the first major shortfall occurred. Scholars were paid for January to August, but the amount was incomplete due to exchange rate issues. Since then, we have not received any payment for September to December 2023,” the statement read.
After over a year without financial support, students finally received another stipend payment in September 2024. However, instead of clearing outstanding arrears, the government informed them of a sudden 56% cut, reducing stipends from $500 to $220.
Scholars Facing Severe Hardship
The union highlighted the dire conditions many students are facing, particularly those from financially struggling backgrounds.
“Some of us are orphans, and most come from families that can barely afford to assist us. With Nigeria’s economic challenges, parents—whether civil servants, teachers, or traders—are unable to provide additional support,” the statement noted.
Students in Morocco, where government accommodation is unavailable, rely entirely on stipends for rent. Many have been evicted due to non-payment, while others have gone without food for days or fallen ill but cannot afford medical care. Similar struggles have been reported among scholars in Russia, Algeria, China, Venezuela, and Hungary.
Calls for Government Intervention
While the government has cited foreign exchange fluctuations as the reason for the stipend cuts, UNBEAS expressed concerns that the 2025 budget does not allocate sufficient funds, potentially reducing stipends even further.
The scholars have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and relevant government agencies to intervene urgently. Their key demands include:
• Payment of all outstanding stipends from September to December 2023, along with the shortfall from March to August 2023.
• Immediate reversal of the 56% stipend cut and full payment for 2024.
• Timely disbursement of 2025 stipends to prevent further hardship.
• Restoration of the full $500 stipend, as $220 is inadequate for basic survival.
“We are not asking for luxury but for survival. The government must fulfill its obligations before lives are lost to hunger, illness, and despair,” the union pleaded.
They also urged the media, civil society organizations, and concerned Nigerians to amplify their appeal and push for a resolution to their plight.
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