The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised a serious alarm over what it describes as the neglect and abandonment of Nigerian students on government-sponsored scholarships in Morocco. This accusation has triggered a firm denial from the Federal Government, setting the stage for a public disagreement.
NANS Sounds Alarm Over Dehumanising Conditions
In a statement released on Wednesday, 8 January 2026, and signed by its Vice President for External Affairs, Kenechukwu Aneke, NANS expressed profound concern. The association was reacting to a viral video showing Nigerian students in Morocco who claimed the administration of President Bola Tinubu had left them to face hardship, homelessness, and a lack of medical care.
NANS outlined several urgent demands to the government, including:
- The immediate repatriation and provision of welfare support for all affected students in Morocco and other countries.
- A full investigation into the alleged mismanagement of scholarship funds and holding those responsible accountable.
- The immediate release of all outstanding stipends, accommodation allowances, and other dues.
- A comprehensive review and reform of the overseas scholarship programme to prevent a recurrence.
The student body's statement painted a grim picture, alleging that students sent abroad with allocated budgets were now "left to fend for themselves". It claimed this led to "dehumanising conditions" where students were forced to beg for money at night to buy food.
Tragically, NANS reported the death of one student, Bashir Malami, under these circumstances, calling it a direct consequence of neglect and administrative failure.
Government's Firm Rejection of the Claims
In a swift response, the Federal Government categorically dismissed NANS's allegations. In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the government labelled the claims as "false, unfounded, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public."
Boriowo insisted that no Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship had been abandoned. She clarified that all beneficiaries properly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme before 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year.
The government acknowledged temporary delays in some outstanding payments but attributed them to fiscal constraints. It stated that these issues were being resolved through ongoing discussions between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.
A Call for Action and a Clash of Narratives
In its earlier statement, NANS framed the situation as a betrayal of trust, directly implicating the office handling overseas scholarships under the Federal Ministry of Education. The association argued it is unacceptable for budgeted funds to be improperly utilised, exposing "young Nigerians—the future leaders of our nation—to hunger, destitution, and danger in a foreign land."
Kenechukwu Aneke called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Federal Scholarship Board, and other relevant agencies to act swiftly to address the crisis.
The conflicting narratives from NANS and the Federal Government have created a stalemate, leaving the true situation of the students in Morocco uncertain. While the government points to systemic fiscal challenges, the student union highlights dire human costs, including the reported loss of a life, demanding immediate accountability and intervention.
