- Alausa Explains Why BEA Scholarship Appears in 2026 Budget
- Says BEA Scholarship in 2026 Budget Does Not Mean Programme Is Back
- BEA Budget Inclusion Procedural, Not Policy Reversal
The Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria has clarified that the inclusion of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship in the 2026 national budget does not signal a reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to stop awarding new foreign scholarships under the scheme.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the clarification follows public concerns and online reports suggesting a contradiction between the discontinuation of the programme and its continued appearance in the budget.
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Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, explained that the allocations referenced were originally part of the 2025 budget, which had already been approved before the government halted the processing of new BEA scholarships around April and May of that year.
He noted that due to Nigeria’s budgeting structure, provisions in an already approved budget cannot be removed retrospectively, which is why the BEA component remained.
According to the minister, the 2026 budget currently in operation is largely a rollover of the 2025 fiscal plan, with a significant portion of previous allocations carried forward, including the BEA scholarship line.
He stressed that the presence of the scholarship in the budget is purely procedural and does not indicate a resumption of new awards under the scheme.
The ministry added that any changes to the BEA allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act would require a formal virement process, through which funds could be reallocated in line with current government policies.
It, however, assured that Nigerian students currently benefiting from the scholarship abroad would continue to receive full government support, noting that their welfare and academic progress remain a priority.
The ministry also urged the public to disregard misleading interpretations of budget figures, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and prudent management of public resources.
