The Federal government has actually clarified that the inclusion of the Bilateral Education Contract (BEA) Scholarship in the 2026 national budget does not signify a return of the scheme for new recipients. The clarification was provided by the Federal Ministry of Education in a press statement dated April 30, 2026.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, discussed that the monetary provision was carried over from the 2025 fiscal year, which had actually been approved before the government suspended new BEA scholarship awards in between April and May 2025. “The provision originates from the 2025 budget … such provisions can not be eliminated retroactively due to monetary procedures,” he stated.
Alausa further kept in mind that the 2026 spending plan mostly shows a roll-over of the previous fiscal structure, with existing spending plan lines– consisting of BEA– retained as part of standard federal government practice. He worried that the addition is simply procedural and does not suggest any policy turnaround. “The presence of the allocation does not signify the resumption of new scholarship awards,” he included.
The Ministry also discussed that any modification to the BEA budget plan line would require an authorized virement process to align with existing government policies. It, however, reassured that all existing beneficiaries studying abroad under the scheme would continue to get full federal government assistance.
Urging the general public to ignore deceptive analyses, the Ministry declared its commitment to openness, accountability, and sensible management of public resources, according to a declaration signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.