Reps Query Delays In BEA Scholarship Payments

The House of Representatives has opened an investigation into allegations that the federal government has failed to pay scholarship stipends to students studying in Nigeria and abroad, a lapse that parents say has pushed many students into hardship and disrupted their academic progress.

The probe is being led by the House Committee on Students Loans, Scholarships and Higher Education Financing, chaired by Ifeoluwa Ehindero.

At an investigative hearing, parents under the banner of the Forum of Parents and Guardians of FGN Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship Recipients raised concerns that key terms of the scholarship programme had been breached.

Presenting their submission, Forum Chairman Prince Ponfa Wuyep said the Bilateral Education Agreement, BEA, scheme had previously run smoothly, with many beneficiaries returning to contribute to national development. But noted that, while host countries continue to honour their commitments, Nigeria has struggled to pay scholars’ stipends regularly.

According to the parents, award letters issued as far back as 2018 entitled beneficiaries to monthly allowances of $500, an annual $600 stipend for feeding, local transport and books, $250 for warm clothing, $200 for health insurance, as well as a $60,000 take-off grant and return flight tickets.

A similar breakdown was contained in scholarship letters issued in 2022, they added.

However, they told lawmakers that naira dollar fluctuations had caused significant shortfalls in payments between 2023 and 2024, while no stipend has been paid for the entire 2025 fiscal year, leaving students unable to meet basic living costs. Some are reportedly struggling with food, accommodation, health insurance and academic materials.

“These cumulative arrears have caused prolonged financial distress,” the parents said.

Declaring the hearing open, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen represented by David Agada
described the delays as unacceptable and warned that any interruption in scholarship payments undermines students’ morale and academic performance.

He said the 10th Assembly was committed to strengthening administrative processes to prevent further lapses.

Committee Chairman, Ehindero said the allegations point to “bureaucratic failures and a betrayal of national trust”, calling the situation a threat to the academic, psychological and physical well-being of Nigerian students abroad.

He said the committee would trace the causes of the delays, examine the utilisation of funds released for scholarships, and determine whether due process and accountability were followed.

He pledged that the committee would ensure such failures do not recur.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji