The Federal Government has stated that the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme remains suspended, even though it was provided for in the 2026 budget.

The programme, which previously sponsored Nigerian students to study in partner countries abroad, has not yet been restarted despite hopes that the budget allocation would signal its return.

According to officials, the funding provision does not automatically mean the scheme has been reactivated, as the suspension is still in effect pending a review and broader policy decision on its future.

The BEA initiative under the Federal Ministry of Education has recently faced concerns over cost and its effectiveness compared to local scholarship programmes.

For now, the government says no fresh awards will be issued until a final decision is taken on whether the scheme will continue or be restructured.