Concerns have been swirling online about Nigerian scholarship students in Morocco, with reports suggesting they were facing serious difficulties, including homelessness and lack of medical care.
A video that went viral on X (formerly Twitter) showed activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, speaking to students who claimed they hadn’t received financial support for years, despite being part of a federal scholarship program.
The Federal Government has now stepped in to clarify the situation, describing these reports as misleading and designed to misinform the public.
Official Statement from the Ministry of Education
Boriowo Folasade, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, issued a statement on Wednesday, emphasizing that the narratives circulating online are “false, unfounded, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public.”
Minister of Education Maruf Alausa reinforced this point, stating clearly, “No Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned.”
Payments and Fiscal Challenges
According to the ministry, all students enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship Programme before 2024 received payments up to the 2024 budget year, as required by government policy.
Any delays in outstanding payments are reportedly due to fiscal constraints, which are being addressed through ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.
Alausa also dismissed rumors suggesting new bilateral scholarships were awarded in 2025, describing circulating documents claiming otherwise as “fake, unauthenticated, and a calculated attempt to mislead the public.”
Policy Changes in Scholarship Programs
The government explained that the discontinuation of fully funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a policy review.
The review found that Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education now have sufficient capacity to deliver the programs previously offered abroad.
As a result, only scholarships fully funded by foreign governments will now be supported, with the host countries covering all related costs.
Commitment to Current Students
Despite these policy changes, the Federal Government reassured that students already enrolled under previous scholarship arrangements will continue to receive support until they complete their programs.
For students who wish to discontinue their studies abroad, the ministry confirmed they could formally request to return to Nigeria.
The government will assist with reintegration into appropriate tertiary institutions and cover return travel expenses.
Reforming the Scholarship System
Minister Alausa highlighted that the administration is committed to reforming the scholarship system, pointing out that past practices created unnecessary strain on public finances by funding overseas programs for courses already available locally.
The ongoing reforms aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public resources, while maintaining the welfare of Nigerian students.
The government strongly rejected any attempts to misinform, blackmail, or undermine policies designed to strengthen national educational capacity.
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