A Nigerian postgraduate scholar studying in Hungary under the Federal Government's Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) has urgently petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, pleading for intervention as he faces expulsion and the expiration of his residence permit due to months of unpaid allowances.
In a letter dated January 5, 2026, addressed to the committee chairman, Oluwasegun Michael Ogundele, who is pursuing his studies at the University of Pannonia, revealed that he has received none of his entitled financial support since arriving in September 2024.
Despite fulfilling all academic and compliance requirements, the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) and the Federal Ministry of Education have failed to disburse the promised funds.Ogundele detailed the outstanding amounts: monthly stipends of $500 for 13 months (January 2025 to January 2026) totaling $6,500, warm clothing allowance of $250, health insurance of $200, postgraduate research grant of $1,000, and passage allowance of $2,500—bringing the total to $10,450, including funds for his return ticket to Nigeria.
With his program scheduled to end on January 30, 2026, and his residence permit expiring the following day, Ogundele expressed deep anxiety over being stranded without means to return home or cover basic needs. He emphasized that he has avoided any paid work to strictly adhere to scholarship rules, yet the prolonged non-payment has intensified his distress and fears of hardship in a foreign country.
The scholar also highlighted the broader suffering among Nigerian BEA beneficiaries abroad, noting reports of students enduring extreme difficulties, some even losing their lives due to stress-related health issues, while others have resorted to menial jobs or charity for survival.
He lamented how such neglect has stripped scholars of dignity and tarnished Nigeria's image internationally.Ogundele commended the House Committee's prior probes into scholarship mismanagement and appealed for swift action to secure the release of all arrears.
This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the BEA scheme, which the government announced plans to phase out in 2025 due to high costs and inefficiencies, though assurances were given for existing beneficiaries to complete their studies.
The case underscores persistent challenges in the administration of overseas scholarships, even as many Nigerian students abroad continue to struggle with delayed or unpaid stipends despite diplomatic agreements meant to foster educational exchange. Ogundele expressed hope that the committee's intervention will restore support and prevent further hardship for scholars like himself.
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