Hardship: Stranded foreign scholars’ allowances slashed by FG

The federal government has slashed the allowances of foreign scholars who are currently stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria, among others by 12.7%.

The announcement was made through the Federal Ministry of Education, with the reduction attributed to the current economic crisis bedevilling the country.

The development comes following Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other nations on the Federal Government’s scholarship decrying their unpaid stipends for eight months.

Those affected are studying under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship.

The reduction in allowances is contained in a memo signed by the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Ndajiwo H.A., on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

Dated  July 23, 2024, and addressed to the scholars’ association, it reads: “After due consultations, the Federal Scholarship Board has come up with adjustments in line with budgetary provisions in the payment of BEA scholar’s supplementation allowances for the 2024 academic year.”

It also stated that the monthly allowances were cut from $500 to $220; the graduation allowance from $2500 to $2000; and the PG research allowance was slashed from $1,000 to $500, among others.

Initially $5,650, the total for the payments will now be $4,370.

“The Scholars’ Association is hereby notified that due to the prevailing economic situation, the payment mandate for the BEA scholars’ allowances will be as per the new adjustment.

“The balances for the years 2023 and 2024 owed to scholars will be paid as soon as the funds are made available,” the ministry added.