The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has announced a five-year suspension of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) programme, established through diplomatic partnerships, enabled Nigerian students to study in various countries, including China, Russia, Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Egypt, and Serbia.

The minister in a statement at the weekend, explained that the suspension after a comprehensive review of academic programmes available overseas, was to promote student growth, prioritise welfare, and strengthen Nigeria’s education system which now have the course offered abroad through the BEA scheme.

Under the programme, students were supported with funds for tuition and living expenses, but now the suspension encourages Nigerians to study locally, but does not prevent parents from sponsoring their children to study overseas privately.

He clarified that the Federal Government will still welcome BEA partner countries that offer fully funded scholarships to Nigerians, and assured that all current BEA scholarship beneficiaries will continue to receive full government support until they complete their studies and return to Nigeria.

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