FG Denies Abandonment of Nigerian Scholarship Students in Morocco

The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed reports claiming that Nigerian scholarship students in Morocco have been abandoned, insisting that government support for eligible beneficiaries remains in place. The Ministry said the allegations, which gained traction on social media, are inaccurate and misleading.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Ministry reacted to a viral outcry, including a video by activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, which suggested that some students were facing hunger and homelessness. The Ministry said the narrative does not reflect the true position of the scholarship programme.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that all students enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) programme before 2024 were paid up to the 2024 budget cycle. He acknowledged temporary delays in settling outstanding entitlements, attributing them to fiscal challenges, and noted that discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to clear the backlog.

Dr. Alausa also confirmed a shift in government policy following a 2025 review, which ended new government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad, citing improved capacity in Nigerian tertiary institutions. He added that affected students abroad have the option of returning home to continue their studies locally at government expense, while existing beneficiaries will continue to receive support until graduation. The Ministry further cautioned the public against fake scholarship offers for October 2025, advising reliance on official communication channels only.