FG denies abandoning scholarship students in Morocco as NANS raises alarm

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised alarm over Nigerian students on government scholarships in Morocco allegedly facing homelessness, hunger, and medical neglect. In a statement Wednesday, NANS Vice President Kenechukwu Aneke said a viral video showed students stranded after being abandoned by the Tinubu administration. One student, Bashir Malami, reportedly died under these conditions.

NANS demands urgent repatriation, immediate release of outstanding stipends and allowances, a full investigation into mismanaged scholarship funds, and comprehensive reform of the overseas scholarship programme. The student body called on President Tinubu, Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Federal Scholarship Board to act swiftly.

However, the Federal Government has dismissed the claims as false and deliberately misleading. Education Ministry Director Folasade Boriowo insisted that all beneficiaries enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year. Any delays, she said, are due to fiscal constraints and are being addressed with the Ministry of Finance.

Dr Alausa clarified that no new bilateral scholarships were awarded after October 2025, describing circulating documents as fake. He explained that the government discontinued overseas scholarships because Nigeria now has sufficient local capacity to deliver these programmes in its universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The dispute highlights tension between students abroad facing hardship and a government claiming policy reform. NANS warns that continued neglect damages Nigeria's international reputation and undermines confidence in government-sponsored education.

SOURCE: https://guardian.ng/news/nans-raises-alarm-over-plight-of-nigerian-scholarship-students-in-morocco/