Education Ministry denies report on BEA scholars’ reintegration

The Federal Ministry of Education has denied claims circulating in the media suggesting that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, inaugurated a committee to reintegrate returning Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholars into Nigerian universities.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Ministry described the report titled “BEA: Education Minister receives committee’s report” as false and misleading, stressing that no such committee exists and no reintegration plan has been initiated.

“The Ministry categorically states that no such committee was inaugurated, and no reintegration plan for BEA scholars is in place,” the statement said. “The public is advised to disregard this misinformation in its entirety.”

The Ministry reaffirmed that, as announced in its official release dated May 7, 2025, the Federal Government has discontinued the BEA Scholarship Programme. The decision follows a comprehensive policy review aimed at strengthening domestic tertiary institutions.

“All courses previously studied abroad under the BEA are now available—and often of higher quality—within Nigerian universities and polytechnics,” the statement added.

Despite the programme’s discontinuation, the Ministry assured that all current BEA scholars will continue to receive full government support, including tuition, stipends, and other entitlements, until they complete their studies.

The Ministry urged the public to rely solely on verified updates from its official communication channels.