Nigerian students who are studying abroad in countries like Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and others on a scholarship provided by the Nigerian government have been facing financial difficulties because they haven’t received their living allowance for eight months. They are part of the Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship, managed by the Federal Scholarship Board under the Ministry of Education.
The president of the Union of Nigerian Students under this scholarship, Ayuba Anas, explained that these students have been struggling financially for six to eight months because of the delay in getting their money. He mentioned that even when they last received money (for March to August), it was less than they were supposed to get by about two and a half months. Some students in China haven’t received any money at all since they arrived in April and May 2023.
This lack of funds has caused significant problems, particularly in countries like Morocco where students don’t have access to school hostels and must pay for their own housing, utilities, study materials, internet, transportation, and food. Some students have been evicted for not being able to pay rent, and others have gotten sick from not having enough to eat, needing urgent medical care.
Students in Russia are facing increased living costs, making their situation even more difficult. This financial stress is distracting them from their studies and making it hard for them to achieve academic success.
While the students understand Nigeria’s current economic challenges, the terms of their scholarship program don’t allow them to work to support themselves. They are asking the Nigerian government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to help by ensuring they get their allowances quickly. They believe that with the president’s support, they can focus on their studies without worrying about money.
No one from the Ministry of Education has responded to questions about this issue yet.