Former Vice President alleges breach of education agreement
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for allegedly abandoning Nigerian students on government scholarships in foreign countries.
In a statement released on Monday, January 12, 2026, Atiku claimed that the current administration has failed to honor the “education pact” meant to ensure the welfare of scholars under various federal programs. He noted that hundreds of students are currently stranded across Europe, Asia, and the Americas due to the non-payment of their tuition fees and living allowances.
Atiku argued that the neglect of these students is a direct assault on the future of the nation’s human capital development. He expressed concern that many of the affected scholars are being threatened with deportation or the termination of their academic programs. According to the former Vice President, this situation has not only brought international embarrassment to Nigeria but has also pushed many of the country’s brightest minds into a state of absolute despair.
The statement emphasized that a government that prioritizes education would not allow its citizens to suffer in foreign lands while billions of naira are allegedly spent on “non-essential” luxury items at home. Atiku called on the Federal Government to immediately release the necessary funds to clear the outstanding debts owed to the foreign universities. He maintained that the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda has become a “shattered dream” for the youth, especially those seeking knowledge beyond the country’s borders.
Allegations of broken promises and funding gaps
According to the allegations, the Tinubu administration has consistently ignored the pleas of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and various scholarship boards. Atiku pointed out that the failure to fund these scholarships is a violation of the contractual agreements between the government and the students. He noted that many parents had taken loans to support their children, hoping the government would fulfill its part of the bargain, only to be left in financial ruin.
The former Vice President suggested that the lack of funding is not due to a shortage of resources but rather a lack of political will and poor prioritization. He challenged the administration to provide a transparent account of the funds allocated for foreign scholarships in the 2025 and 2026 budgets. For Atiku, the “abandonment” of these scholars is a clear indication that the current leadership does not value the role of global education in national progress.
Critics of the administration have also joined the fray, calling for a total overhaul of the TETFund and the Federal Ministry of Education’s scholarship processes. They argue that the bureaucratic bottlenecks and the instability of the naira have exacerbated the plight of the students. Atiku’s latest jab is seen as part of his broader strategy to position himself as the champion of the masses and the youth ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Federal Government reacts to scholarship delay claims
In response to the allegations, the Presidency has consistently maintained that it is working to resolve the backlogs inherited from previous administrations. Government spokespersons have argued that the volatility of the foreign exchange market is a major factor in the delay of payments. They insisted that President Tinubu remains committed to the welfare of all Nigerian students and is taking steps to centralize and digitize the scholarship payment system to prevent future delays.
However, Atiku dismissed these explanations as “lame excuses,” stating that the government managed to find funds for other international engagements and presidential travels. He argued that if the government could afford to spend on political patronage, it should be able to protect the interests of its students. The back-and-forth between the two political giants has further heightened the tension in the country’s educational sector.
As the situation persists, several affected students have taken to social media to share their harrowing experiences, with some claiming they have resorted to menial jobs to survive. The international community is also watching closely, as the reputation of Nigerian government-funded programs continues to decline. For the stranded scholars, the political debate in Abuja offers little comfort as they face the reality of an uncertain academic future.
