BEA Scholarship in 2026 Budget Not Sign of Reversal, Education Ministry Clarifies

The Federal Ministry of Education says the presence of the Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship in the 2026 national budget does not mean the Federal Government has reversed its decision to stop new foreign scholarships under the scheme.

The clarification follows public concerns and online reports suggesting a contradiction between the announced discontinuation of the BEA scheme and its appearance in the current budget.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa in a Statement by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education yesterday explained that the BEA allocation originated from the 2025 budget, which had been passed and signed into law before government halted the processing of new BEA awards around April and May 2025.

“Due to the structure of Nigeria’s budgeting system, provisions contained in an already approved budget cannot be removed retroactively. As a result, the BEA component remained intact within the 2025 budget framework,” Alausa said.

He added that the 2026 budget in operation is largely a roll-over of the 2025 fiscal plan, with about 30% retained from the previous year and 70% projected into the current cycle. All existing budget lines, including the BEA scholarship, were carried forward as part of standard fiscal process.

“The continued appearance of the BEA allocation in the budget document is purely procedural and does not indicate the resumption of new scholarship awards under the scheme,” the minister stressed.

Looking ahead, the Ministry said any formal adjustment to the BEA budget line can only be made through an approved virement. At that stage, the allocation would be realigned or repurposed in line with current government policies.

The Ministry reassured the public that all current BEA beneficiaries studying abroad will continue to receive full government support. “Their academic progress and welfare remain a priority of the Federal Government,” it stated.

It urged Nigerians to disregard “misleading interpretations of budget figures” that fail to reflect the technical realities of budget formulation and roll-over practices.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources, noting that education policies will continue to align with national priorities and the best interests of students.