FG Begins Verification Of Stranded Scholars Abroad May 3

THE Federal Government would begin the verification of stranded scholars under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scheme from May 3.
This follows the Federal Government’s decision to scrap the BEA scholarship, which the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described as “a waste of resources.”
Alausa had clarified that current beneficiaries would be allowed to complete their studies, while no new students would be admitted into the scheme.
Many of the scholars, particularly those studying in Russia, Serbia and other partner countries, had lamented government’s failure to pay their tuition fees and stipends, leaving many stranded and forced to rely on loans to survive.
However, a notice sent to affected scholars in Russia said: “We’ve been officially informed that a Verification Exercise for all BEA Scholars in Russia will take place from May 3 to May 9, 2025, at the Nigerian Embassy, Moscow.
“Required documents include the official Verification Form (with an APEX passport photograph) and a school course registration slip or its equivalent.”
But sevral scholars who spoke with The Punch expressed concern that the unpaid stipends might prevent them from travelling to Moscow for the verification.
One of them said: “We have scholars in far regions of Russia, like Yakutsk, and one-way tickets cost over $200. That’s about $400 for a round trip just for verification.
“How can we afford that?”
Another added: “Those in cities like Kazan need to spend over $100 for a round trip. Let the officials come to us, or at least, schedule a virtual verification.”
“We are living from hand to mouth. Where does the government expect us to get the money to travel to Moscow? The last time we received an allowance was in 2024,” recalled yet another, while a scholar noted that academic commitments also posed a challenge.
“Some of us are starting exams in two weeks, with assessments still ongoing. Traveling to Moscow at this time is a burden.”
As a result, the students called for a more inclusive and realistic approach, including virtual verification or decentralised physical screenings across regions to ease the burden on already financially-strained scholars.