The Federal Government has announced that it has commenced the disbursement of outstanding allowances to Nigerian students studying abroad under the now-defunct Bilateral Education Agreement scholarship scheme.

Specifically, it confirmed that 50 per cent of the approved 2025 payments have already been released.

A statement on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said the Central Bank of Nigeria had transferred the funds to Nigerian embassies and missions for immediate payment to eligible scholars in partner countries.

The spokesperson quoted the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Tunji Alausa, as explaining that the disbursement covers half of the outstanding obligations owed to beneficiaries, adding that efforts were underway to release the remaining balance.

According to the Minister, the funds have already reached embassy accounts, while affected missions have been directed to commence payments without delay.

“The affected embassies are expected to commence immediate payment to eligible scholars. Beneficiaries are therefore advised to monitor their accounts as payments are expected to begin reflecting accordingly,” the statement said.

The ministry said the move underscored the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the welfare and academic progress of Nigerian students abroad under his Renewed Hope agenda.

The government also praised the patience and resilience shown by affected students amid prolonged delays in payment, assuring that no Nigerian scholar under government-backed programmes would be abandoned.

The BEA scholarship scheme, which supported Nigerian students in foreign institutions through bilateral agreements with partner countries, was recently discontinued by the Nigerian Government as part of broader reforms in the education sector.