The Nigerian Senate has mandated its Committee on Education to summon the Federal Scholarship Board and the Minister of Education for a comprehensive report on the status of Nigerian students under international scholarship programs. This directive followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC-Kwara) during a plenary session on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Motion Presentation and Concerns
Senator Mustapha highlighted that the federal government annually awards scholarships to outstanding students for further studies abroad, aiming to develop a cadre of exceptional professionals essential for national development. These scholarships are part of a broader initiative to promote specialized education through partnerships with foreign institutions, facilitated by entities like the Federal Scholarship Board under the Ministry of Education.
Impact and Hardships Faced by Students
The lawmaker noted that these scholarship schemes support the government’s commitment to Bilateral Education Agreements (BEA) and Multilateral Agreements with the Commonwealth and other international partners. However, he expressed concern over reports of Nigerian students facing hardships in Algeria, China, Morocco, Russia, and the United Kingdom due to non-payment of tuition and living stipends. These issues have led to negative media reports and national embarrassment.
“The recurring problems are an indication of systemic failures, despite previous interventions by the Senate to prevent the situation,” Mustapha stated.
Systemic Failures and Senate Intervention
The senator pointed out that the government’s inability to meet its financial obligations under these international agreements for over ten months has jeopardized the welfare and academic progress of the affected students. He warned that the failure to fulfil these obligations could damage Nigeria’s reputation and potentially drive the students into unlawful activities to sustain themselves abroad.
Conclusion
The Senate’s decision to investigate the delay in scholarship payments underscores the urgency of addressing these systemic issues to ensure the welfare of Nigerian students studying abroad. The outcome of the Senate Committee’s findings will be critical in determining the next steps to resolve these challenges and uphold Nigeria’s commitments to its international scholarship programs.
