FG Clears Air on BEA Scholarship: Budget Inclusion Not a Policy Reversal
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has clarified that the continued appearance of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship in the 2026 national budget does not signal a return to awarding new foreign scholarships under the scheme.
The clarification comes amid growing public confusion and online claims suggesting that the government had quietly reinstated the programme despite an earlier decision to discontinue it.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by Boriowo Folasade, the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, explained that the budgetary provision is merely a technical carryover from previous fiscal plans.
Addressing the issue, the minister said the BEA allocation originated from the 2025 budget, which had already been approved before the government halted the processing of new scholarship awards.
“Due to the structure of Nigeria’s budgeting system, provisions in an already approved budget cannot be removed retroactively. This explains why the BEA component remains reflected in the current framework,” he stated.
Alausa further clarified that the 2026 budget is largely a roll-over of the 2025 fiscal plan, with about 30 percent retained and 70 percent projected forward, meaning all existing budget lines—including the BEA scholarship—were automatically carried into the new cycle.
“The presence of the BEA allocation in the 2026 budget is purely procedural and does not indicate the resumption of new awards under the programme,” he emphasized.
The minister added that any formal adjustment to the BEA budget line would require a virement process, through which funds could be reallocated in line with current government priorities.
Despite the discontinuation of new awards, the Federal Government reassured that students already benefiting from the BEA scheme abroad will continue to receive full support.
“All existing beneficiaries will continue to enjoy government sponsorship. Their academic progress and welfare remain a priority,” the ministry stated.
The government also urged the public to disregard misleading interpretations of budget documents, noting that such claims often ignore the technical realities of Nigeria’s fiscal processes.
Reaffirming its position, the ministry said it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources, while ensuring that education policies align with national priorities and deliver maximum value for Nigerian students.
