Education Minister dismisses claims of neglected scholars
The Federal Government has firmly debunked narratives circulating in some quarters regarding Nigerian scholarship students in the Kingdom of Morocco, describing such claims as false and unfounded.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, clarified that no student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned. He maintained that the reports were “deliberately crafted” to misinform the public and discredit the ongoing reforms in the education sector.
According to the Minister, all beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received their entitlements up to the 2024 budget year. He explained that any temporary delays in outstanding payments are purely attributable to “fiscal constraints” and are not a sign of neglect. Dr. Alausa noted that the Ministry of Education is currently in high-level engagements with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the remaining financial obligations.
The government’s response follows a viral video featuring activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, which showed students in Morocco alleging they had been left without support for years. The students in the video claimed they were facing homelessness and lacked access to basic medical care due to unpaid stipends. The Federal Ministry of Education has characterized these specific allegations as an attempt to blackmail the administration during a period of critical policy transition.
No fresh bilateral scholarship awards granted in 2025
In addition to addressing the abandonment claims, the Minister clarified that no new bilateral scholarship awards were made in October 2025 or at any point thereafter. He warned the public to be wary of documents currently being circulated on social media that suggest new awards have been granted. Dr. Alausa described these documents as “fake and unauthenticated,” representing a calculated attempt to mislead prospective students and their families.
The Minister explained that the decision to discontinue government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a comprehensive policy review. This review established that Nigeria now possesses sufficient internal capacity within its universities and polytechnics to deliver the affected programs locally. Consequently, the government has shifted its focus toward supporting only scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments, where all financial obligations are borne by the host countries.
Despite this policy shift, the Federal Government reiterated its commitment to students already enrolled under previous arrangements. The Minister assured that the state will continue to support these scholars until the successful completion of their various academic programs. He emphasized that the administration is resolute in eliminating the “inefficiencies and abuses” that previously plagued the scholarship system.
Reintegration option for students wishing to return home
For students who may find the current fiscal realities challenging or prefer to discontinue their studies abroad, the government has provided a “seamless” exit strategy. Dr. Alausa announced that such students can formally write to the Director of the Department of Scholarship Awards to request a return to Nigeria. These students will be reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice within the country to continue their education without further delay.
The Federal Government has also pledged to cover the return travel costs for any student who opts for this reintegration path. This move is designed to ensure an orderly transition for those who feel they can no longer cope with the conditions in their host countries. The Ministry maintains that this option demonstrates the government’s concern for the welfare and mental health of its citizens abroad.
The Minister concluded by stating that the ongoing reforms are aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources. He argued that sponsoring overseas training for courses already established in Nigeria placed an “avoidable financial burden” on the nation’s economy. The government remains focused on strengthening national capacity while safeguarding the integrity of the Nigerian education sector.
