The Arewa Defence League (ADL), a prominent northern forum, has launched a scathing critique against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it describes as the abandonment of students under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme.
A Policy Reversal and Broken Promises
In a strongly-worded statement issued by its President, Murtala Abubakar, in Abuja, the ADL accused the federal government of politicising the crucial educational scheme. The criticism centres on the government's decision to abruptly scrap the programme, which had served as a lifeline for thousands of brilliant but underprivileged Nigerian students studying in countries like China, Russia, Morocco, and Hungary.
The pivotal moment came in May 2025, when the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, declared that the government would cease funding foreign scholarships. Alausa argued that all courses studied abroad were now available, and often at a higher quality, within Nigerian institutions, making the overseas expenditure unnecessary.
However, the ADL highlighted the devastating impact on students already overseas. The group pointed out that initial government communications spoke of a five-year suspension, followed by assurances that existing beneficiaries would be supported to complete their studies. "Those assurances have since dissolved into silence," the statement lamented.
Condemnation of Government's 'Cruel' Justification
The League condemned the government's justification of thrift as a facade for a far more cruel reality. Abubakar emphasised the intrinsic value of the BEA, stating, "Education is not wasteful. Knowledge is not extravagant." He framed the agreement as a vital diplomatic investment in Nigeria's future.
The ADL's statement delivered a powerful rebuke: "Yes, the programme has always struggled with delays and bureaucratic cruelty. But never before has a Nigerian government so casually turned its back on students already in the field, already committed, already vulnerable." It added a poignant condemnation: "A nation may abandon roads and refineries, but when it abandons its children, especially in foreign lands, it abandons its soul."
New Allocation Highlights 'Salt in the Wound'
Adding to the controversy, the ADL condemned what it sees as a glaring contradiction in government policy. The group cited reports that the 2026 Appropriation Bill includes an allocation of N1.764 billion earmarked for 300 new BEA scholarships.
This revelation has intensified the outcry, as abandoned scholars and their families view this new allocation as essential funds that should first secure their stranded positions. The ADL described it as "salt in an open wound," highlighting the profound unfairness faced by students who were promised support only to be left in limbo.
The League's intervention underscores a growing tension between the government's stated policy of revitalising domestic education and its obligations to citizens already studying abroad under a state-sponsored programme. The silence from the presidency amid ongoing protests, as noted by the ADL, stands as a significant point of contention.
