The Federal Government has allocated ₦1.764 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill for fresh Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarships, signalling a return of new awards under the programme.
The allocation, captured in the Federal Ministry of Education’s budget, is expected to fund 300 new BEA scholarships, covering students’ allowances, health insurance, travel, and other related expenses.
The funding comes despite the government’s earlier decision to discontinue the BEA scheme in 2025, citing cost concerns and a shift toward strengthening domestic scholarships. Its reappearance in the 2026 budget suggests a review of that policy.
In addition, the budget provides ₦5.6 billion for the upkeep of 1,532 ongoing BEA scholars and ₦105 million for the verification of partner institutions across 12 countries.
The BEA programme allows Nigerian students to study in countries including China, Russia, Turkey, Hungary, Cuba, and Morocco, among others. Stakeholders are now awaiting further details on implementation and application guidelines from the Ministry of Education. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.