Nigeria Scholars in China Face Risk of Arrest Due to Unpaid Stipends
Nigerian scholars studying in China under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) are at risk of arrest if they fail to leave the country by July. There are 39 Nigerian BEA scholars in China, who have not received stipends since September last year and as students on study visas, they cannot work, relying solely on their stipends for sustenance.
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Nigerian scholars studying in China under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) are at risk of arrest if they fail to leave the country by July, following months of unpaid stipends by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The BEA program allows Nigerian scholars to pursue academic degrees and conduct research in select countries. Under this arrangement, students study abroad until they complete their degrees. However, recent developments have left many stranded.
In a press statement released by the Union of Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars (UNBEAS), it was revealed that students have not received their stipends for 11 months, placing them in a financial situation.
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Speaking on the plight of BEA scholars in China, Ibrahim Bature, a Nigerian animal scientist and PhD scholar based in Guangzhou, expressed grave concerns. "People graduated this June and, when you graduate from a university here in China, you must leave within two weeks," Bature explained.
He emphasized the urgent need for funds to purchase return flight tickets to Nigeria, with many considering online fundraising due to financial constraints. "With impending visa expirations, students are scrambling to find solutions. Some are considering online fundraising to cover flight costs back to Nigeria. Bature emphasized the urgency: “Visa violations in a law-abiding country like China carry heavy penalties. Our people must leave between now and the first week of July.”
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According to Bature, there are 39 Nigerian BEA scholars in China, who have not received since September last year and as students on study visas, they cannot work, relying solely on their stipends for sustenance.
“The money is sent from the FSB through the Central Bank of Nigeria to the embassies,” Bature explained. “We open dollar accounts here in China, and the embassy’s role is to distribute funds to us.”
Speaking on the assurance of the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) to resolve the issue of pending payment, ,Bature added that no specific date has been given. "While the FSB has apologized, no specific payment date has been provided. Stressing the urgency of the situation, he added, “If we fail the visa validity deadline, these people will arrest you.”.
Source: Foundation for Investigative Journalism
