Minister Assures Payment of Outstanding Allowances to Nigerian Scholars Abroad
Addressing concerns raised by parents, the Minister emphasized the government's efforts to mitigate the situation. However, he acknowledged the impact of forex rate fluctuations on the budget allocated for scholarships, necessitating a reassessment to address the current reality.
AKACHI NOEL 
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has assured the Nigerian public of the federal government's commitment to settling the 10-month outstanding allowances owed to Nigerian scholars studying abroad. This announcement comes in response to mounting pressure from parents and reports highlighting the adverse effects of delayed payments on the students' academic pursuits.
According to the Minister, the government is in the final stages of arranging the payment, which was delayed due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates in Nigeria. He acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerian scholars, particularly those studying in Russia, where the rising cost of living and economic hardships have forced some students to seek menial jobs, jeopardizing their studies.
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Addressing concerns raised by parents, the Minister emphasized the government's efforts to mitigate the situation. However, he acknowledged the impact of forex rate fluctuations on the budget allocated for scholarships, necessitating a reassessment to address the current reality.
Mr. Kola Benson, a spokesperson for the parents' group, expressed the plight of affected families, highlighting the financial strain and frustration faced by both parents and students. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu for assistance to alleviate the students' plight and prevent them from resorting to desperate measures.
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As of now, Nigerian students on the Federal Government's scholarship in various countries, including Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, and Hungary, are owed allowances, indicating a concerning trend of delayed payments under the Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship scheme.
The Ministry of Education, through the Federal Scholarship Board, oversees this program, which underscores the government's commitment to supporting Nigerian scholars pursuing education abroad.
