The Federal Government of Nigeria is reviewing its foreign scholarship and bilateral education agreements in an effort to reduce unnecessary spending and redirect funds toward strengthening tertiary institutions within the country.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government could no longer justify spending public money to send students abroad to study courses that are already available in Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
According to the minister, the decision is aimed at improving the use of public funds while building Nigeria’s capacity in higher education.
Alausa recalled that shortly after assuming office, he was presented with a proposal for about 100,000 Nigerian students to travel to Morocco to study English-language programmes such as mass communication and journalism. He questioned the proposal because similar programmes are already available in Nigeria, while the students would first have to spend a year learning French.
The minister said the government concluded that continuing the Bilateral Education Agreement in its previous form was not a good use of public resources.
However, the policy does not mean that Nigerians are banned from receiving scholarships from foreign governments. Foreign governments can still sponsor Nigerian students, but the Federal Government intends to be more selective about using Nigerian funds for overseas education.
Students who are already beneficiaries of the previous bilateral scholarship arrangements will also continue to receive government support until they complete their studies.
Alausa explained that the circumstances that originally justified sending large numbers of Nigerian students abroad have changed. He noted that Nigeria has developed greater capacity in its universities, polytechnics and colleges over the past two decades.
The Federal Government is instead focusing on strengthening Nigerian tertiary institutions, expanding technical and vocational education, improving digital learning, promoting research and innovation, and developing skills that meet the needs of the economy.
The minister also highlighted efforts to support students through scholarships, bursaries and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
He said the government wants Nigeria’s education system to produce not only graduates with certificates but also researchers, innovators and skilled professionals capable of contributing to economic and industrial development.
Alausa stressed that Nigeria must increasingly invest in its own educational institutions and ensure that public funds are directed toward programmes that provide the greatest benefit to the country.
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