The Federal Government has strongly refuted viral claims alleging that Nigerian scholarship students studying in Morocco have been abandoned, insisting that no legitimate beneficiary of the federal scholarship scheme has been left stranded or neglected.
The clarification comes after days of intense public debate and emotional reactions on social media, where reports surfaced suggesting that Nigerian students in Morocco were living in hardship due to unpaid allowances and lack of government support. In response, the government has described the allegations as misleading, exaggerated, and not reflective of the true situation on ground.
FG Responds as Public Outcry Grows
Reacting to the controversy, the Federal Ministry of Education stated that it remains fully committed to the welfare of Nigerian students studying abroad under government-sponsored programmes. According to the ministry, no scholarship student has been officially abandoned, and all obligations approved under the existing framework are being addressed.
Officials explained that misinformation surrounding the scholarship programme fueled unnecessary panic and outrage, prompting the government to provide detailed clarification on how the scheme operates and where the misunderstandings arose.
Understanding the Nigeria–Morocco Scholarship Arrangement
The affected students are beneficiaries of the Bilateral Education Scholarship programme, an initiative designed to promote academic exchange between Nigeria and partner countries, including Morocco. Under this arrangement, Nigerian students were sponsored to study in Moroccan institutions, with financial responsibilities shared between the two governments.
The Federal Government clarified that students awarded scholarships before the policy review remain valid beneficiaries, and payments were made in line with approved budgetary provisions up to the last fiscal cycle.
Addressing Claims of Non-Payment and Hardship
While acknowledging that some students experienced delays in receiving certain allowances, the government stressed that delays do not amount to abandonment. Officials attributed the challenges to fiscal pressures and ongoing adjustments in government spending priorities.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that engagements are ongoing with relevant financial authorities to resolve outstanding issues and ensure that legitimate beneficiaries receive what is due to them under the law.
No New Scholarship Awards, FG Explains
One of the major clarifications from the government was that no new foreign scholarship awards were issued in recent months, contrary to documents circulating online. Authorities described such documents as unauthenticated and misleading, warning the public against relying on unverified sources.
According to the government, the decision to suspend new foreign scholarship awards was taken after a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s education system.
Policy Shift: Why FG Is Rethinking Foreign Scholarships
The Federal Government revealed that the scholarship policy review concluded that Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education now possess sufficient capacity to offer many of the programmes previously pursued abroad.
As a result, government-funded overseas scholarships are being scaled back, while scholarships fully funded by foreign governments will continue. The aim, officials say, is to strengthen local institutions while managing limited national resources more responsibly.
Support Options for Affected Students
For students already enrolled abroad, the government assured that it remains committed to seeing them through the completion of their studies. Additionally, students who choose to discontinue their programmes overseas have been given the option to return to Nigeria, where they will be reintegrated into suitable institutions.
The government also stated that return travel costs would be covered, ensuring that no student is forced into financial distress as a result of policy changes.
Government Warns Against Misinformation
Officials cautioned that emotionally charged but inaccurate narratives can damage public trust and escalate tensions unnecessarily. The government urged students, parents, and the public to seek clarification through official channels rather than relying on social media speculation.
According to the Ministry of Education, clearer communication and stakeholder engagement will remain a priority going forward to prevent similar misunderstandings.
What This Means for Nigerian Students Abroad
The government’s position offers reassurance to Nigerian students studying under official scholarship arrangements, emphasizing that:
Scholarship beneficiaries have not been abandoned
Outstanding issues are being addressed through official processes
No student will be left stranded without options
Policy changes are aimed at long-term sustainability, not neglect
