The Senate has summoned the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, and the leadership of the Federal Scholarship Board over Nigerian students stranded abroad due to the non-payment of grants to them.
Mamman was ordered to provide a detailed report on the status of every Nigerian student under the international scholarship programme and their unpaid entitlements.
Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Salihu Mustapha, on Tuesday moved a motion urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio to investigate the issue of non-payment of grants to the students.
The Senator explained that the Federal Government awarded annual scholarships to outstanding students from across the country to further their (graduate/undergraduate) studies internationally, thereby fostering a cadre of exceptional professionals for national development.
“These scholarships are part of a broader initiative to promote specialized education through partnerships with foreign institutions, facilitated by entities such as the Federal Scholarship Board under the Federal Ministry of Education.
“This initiative supports the Government’s commitment to Bilateral Education Agreements (BEA) and Multilateral Agreements with Commonwealth and other international partners.
“Reports of Nigerian students facing hardships in Algeria, China, Morocco, Russia and the United Kingdom due to non-payment of tuition and living stipends, leading to negative media coverage and national embarrassment.
“The recurrence of these issues suggests systemic failures, despite previous interventions by this Distinguished Chamber to prevent such situations.
“The Federal Government’s failure to meet its financial commitments under these international agreements for over ten months, will jeopardize the welfare and academic progress of the affected students.
“The failure to fulfill these obligations not only undermines our national reputation but also poses significant diplomatic concerns and risks pushing our students towards unlawful activities to sustain their livelihood abroad,” he said.
