By FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI

The Federal Government off Nigeria on Tuesday, debunked reports alleging that Nigerian students on scholarship in the Kingdom of Morocco have been abandoned.

The ministry described the report as false, misleading, and deliberately intended to misinform the public.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

She said that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, clarified that no Nigerian student on a valid federal government scholarship had been neglected.

Alausa explained that all beneficiaries enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme before 2024 have received their entitlements up to the 2024 budget year, in line with government commitments.

According to him, any delays in outstanding payments are a result of fiscal constraints and are currently being resolved through engagements between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

He assured affected students that the government remains committed to meeting its obligations.

“Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance,” he said.

Alausa also refuted claims that new bilateral scholarship awards were granted in October 2025 or thereafter, stating that documents circulating to support such claims were fake and unauthenticated.

He described them as a calculated attempt to discredit government policy and mislead the public.

The minister explained that the federal government discontinued funding for bilateral scholarships abroad, following a policy review which showed that Nigerian tertiary institutions now have the capacity to offer the affected programmes locally.

“Only scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments are now being supported, with all financial obligations borne entirely by the host countries.

“Notwithstanding this policy shift, the federal government remains fully committed to students already enrolled under the previous arrangements and will continue to support them until the completion of their programmes,” Alausa said.

He emphasised that students who wish to discontinue their studies abroad may apply to return to Nigeria, where they would be reintegrated into suitable institutions, with the government covering their return travel costs.

Alausa, however, reiterated the Ministry’s resolve to reform the scholarship system, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure transparency and prudent use of public funds, while warning against misinformation aimed at undermining the integrity of the education sector. (NAN)

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