Nigerian scholars studying abroad under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship have expressed deep concern over recent cuts to their allowances by the Federal Scholarship Board. The decision, communicated through a memo dated July 23, 2024, has slashed monthly stipends by 56%, citing budgetary constraints exacerbated by economic challenges.
Affected scholars, who have not received allowances for over 13 months, now find themselves in dire straits, forced to take loans and engage in menial jobs to make ends meet. Ronald Donald, speaking on behalf of many stranded students, highlighted the stark realities faced in countries like Russia and Morocco, where living costs have escalated significantly amid economic turmoil.
“In Russia, basic survival costs exceed $300 monthly, while in Morocco, students are compelled to rent accommodation due to the absence of provided hostels, starting at $200 per month,” Donald explained. He further noted that some students had resorted to borrowing from the Nigerian embassy and even loan sharks, hoping to cover expenses until the situation improves.
Parents of these scholars, grappling with the sudden financial strain, lamented the drastic reduction from an expected $6450 annually to just $3090 for non-medical students, a cut they fear will severely impact their children’s ability to continue their studies abroad.
The Federal Ministry of Education, which oversees the scholarship program, has acknowledged the hardship faced by scholars but attributed the adjustments to unavoidable economic realities. As the affected students continue to navigate these challenges, many are left questioning their future prospects and the feasibility of repaying accrued debts in the absence of timely stipend disbursements.
