Foreign Students Stranded as Nigerian Government Cuts Allowances

The Nigerian Federal Government has reduced the allowances of foreign scholars by 12.7% due to economic challenges. These students, studying in countries like Russia, Morocco, and Algeria under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) Scholarship, are now facing severe hardships.

In a memo signed by Ndajiwo H.A., Director of the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB), it was announced that the allowance cuts are due to Nigeria's domestic exchange rate issues. Monthly supplementation allowances have been cut from $500 to $220, PG research allowances from $1,000 to $500, and passage/graduation allowances from $2,500 to $2,000.

Affected students, like Ronald Donald, have been without stipends for over 13 months and are struggling to survive in their host countries. Ronald shared, "In Russia, a student needs at least $300 to survive, with rising costs of bus fares and hostel prices. In Morocco, students rent apartments starting at $200 per month."

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