The Federal Government has reaffirmed that the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship scheme remains suspended, clarifying that no new foreign scholarship awards will be issued under the programme.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, explained that the presence of the BEA scheme in the 2026 national budget does not indicate a policy reversal.
She noted that the clarification became necessary following public concerns and online reports suggesting a contradiction between the suspension of the programme and its inclusion in the budget.
Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, stated that the budgetary allocation in question dates back to the 2025 fiscal plan, which had already been approved before the government decided to halt new BEA scholarship awards around April and May of that year.
He explained that due to Nigeria’s budgeting structure, provisions in an already approved budget cannot be removed after the fact. As a result, the BEA allocation remained part of the 2025 budget.
According to the minister, the 2026 budget largely reflects a continuation of the previous fiscal framework, with a significant portion carried over into the current year. This process automatically retained existing budget lines, including those related to the BEA scholarship.
He stressed that the continued appearance of the scheme in the budget is purely procedural and does not signal the resumption of new awards.
The ministry added that any adjustment to the BEA allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act can only be made through an approved budgetary reallocation process, at which point funds may be redirected in line with current government priorities.
Meanwhile, the government assured that students already benefiting from the BEA scholarship and studying abroad will continue to receive full support, with their welfare and academic progress remaining a priority.
The ministry also urged the public to disregard misleading interpretations of budget figures, emphasizing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public funds, while ensuring education policies remain aligned with national interests.
- NAN