FG Debunks Claims of Abandoning Nigerian Students in Morocco, Says Reports Are Misleading

The Federal Government has refuted reports alleging that Nigerian students studying in Morocco under federal scholarship programmes have been abandoned, describing the claims as false, misleading, and intended to misinform the public.

In a statement released Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, confirmed that all beneficiaries legitimately enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Scheme before 2024 have received their financial entitlements up to the 2024 budget cycle.

“No Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned,” Dr. Alausa stated. “All duly recognized beneficiaries under the BES Programme prior to 2024 have been settled in accordance with government obligations.”

While acknowledging that some scholarship payments experienced delays, the minister attributed the situation to national fiscal challenges, assuring that discussions between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance are ongoing to fully address outstanding concerns.

He also dismissed reports claiming that the Federal Government awarded new bilateral scholarships in October 2025, insisting that no such awards were issued. According to him, any documents suggesting otherwise are fake and should be disregarded.

Shift in Scholarship Policy

Dr. Alausa explained that the decision to halt government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s educational capacity. He noted that Nigerian tertiary institutions now possess sufficient resources and expertise to deliver many of the courses previously pursued overseas.

“As a nation, it is no longer sustainable to sponsor students abroad for programmes that are readily available locally,” he said, adding that the former practice placed undue pressure on public finances.

Under the revised policy, Nigeria will now only participate in bilateral scholarships fully funded by foreign governments, with the host countries responsible for tuition, accommodation, and welfare.

Government Assures Continued Support

Despite the policy review, the minister assured that students currently studying abroad under previous agreements will continue to receive full support until they complete their programmes. He further revealed that students who wish to return home may apply to the Department of Scholarship Awards for transfer to Nigerian institutions, with the Federal Government offering to cover their return travel costs.

Dr. Alausa stressed that the reforms were designed to promote accountability, curb abuses, and align scholarship investments with Nigeria’s long-term educational and economic priorities.

Reaffirming its commitment to student welfare, the Ministry cautioned against misinformation and attempts to undermine ongoing reforms. “We strongly reject blackmail, misinformation, and any effort to distort policies aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s education sector,” the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, concluded.