Nigerian students studying in Russia under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme have expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay in the payment of their allowances, describing the situation as abandonment by their home country.
The affected students said they have been left stranded in Russia without financial support, despite being sent abroad through an official government scholarship scheme designed to support their education.
Under the BEA arrangement, the Russian government covers tuition fees, while the Nigerian government is expected to provide monthly stipends for feeding, accommodation, transportation, and other living expenses. However, the students revealed that these payments stopped shortly after their arrival.
According to some of the students, the hardship has become unbearable, forcing many of them to take on menial jobs just to survive.
“We are Medical and Engineering students from Nigeria sent to study in Russia by the Nigerian government under the bilateral education agreement with Russia. But the Nigerian government left us stranded since we got here. We are now forced to do menial jobs to survive,” one of the affected students lamented.
Several students disclosed that the lack of funding has disrupted their academic focus, as many now rely on support from fellow students and kind-hearted locals to meet basic needs. Others fear they may be unable to continue their studies if the situation persists.
Beneficiaries of the programme were initially receiving about $500 monthly as upkeep allowance. However, in 2024, the amount was reportedly reduced to approximately $220 due to Nigeria’s economic challenges. Despite the reduction, students said the payments have remained irregular and largely unpaid.
The development has sparked concern among parents and guardians in Nigeria, many of whom fear their children may be forced to abandon their education abroad if the issue is not urgently resolved. They have called on the Federal Government to immediately release the outstanding allowances.
Observers have also questioned the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students overseas, arguing that sending students abroad without maintaining financial support reflects poor planning and neglect.
Adding to the controversy is the uncertainty surrounding the future of the BEA programme. Although reports suggest the scheme was discontinued for new applicants in April 2025, the 2026 national budget reportedly made provisions for about 300 new scholarships.
This has drawn criticism, especially as more than 1,600 students already enrolled across different countries are still battling unpaid allowances and financial hardship.
Education stakeholders have urged the government to prioritise existing beneficiaries before introducing new ones, warning that continued neglect could damage Nigeria’s reputation in international education partnerships.
For now, the students say they feel abandoned and forgotten, pleading with the authorities to act swiftly before their academic ambitions are permanently derailed.
