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Stranded Nigerian scholars lament FG’s allowance cut, resort to loans

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

Foreign scholars under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship, on Wednesday, lamented the sudden deduction in allowances by the Federal Scholarship Board.

Some of the affected scholars and parents who spoke to our correspondent in Abuja lamented the government’s decision.

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The scholars noted that the government had failed to release their allowances for over 13 months, leaving them to source for their means of survival in foreign countries.

The BEA scholarship is for the purpose of education exchange between Nigeria and the partnering countries.

The Federal Scholarship Board is supervising the scholarship under the Federal Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education had announced a slash in allowances for foreign scholars who are currently stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria, among others.

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The ministry attributed the development to economic crises.

The government’s decision to slash the scholars’ allowances was contained in a memo signed by the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Ndajiwo H.A., on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

“After due consultations, the Federal Scholarship Board has come up with adjustments in line with budgetary provisions in the payment of BEA scholar’s supplementation allowances for the 2024 academic year,” the memo, dated July 23, 2024, and addressed to the scholars’ association, read.

Speaking with our correspondent, one of the affected scholars, Ronald Donald, said “Firstly, students have stayed 13 months without stipends, just promises upon promises. Now, the only thing the FSB could come up with is to reduce the stipends. Let me give you an idea of how living in Russia and Morocco looks like;

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“In Russia, a student needs a minimum of $300 to survive. The bus fares are expensive, and the hostel prices are up. Bread used to be sold for 70 rubbles is now 120 rubbles. In Morocco, the students don’t have hostels provided for them. As such, they rent apartments (at a starting price of $200 a month).”

Speaking on how some of the stranded scholars are surving, Donald said, “Normally, the embassy in Russia gives out loans to students in difficulty. They take the money back when FSB pays.”

Another student who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation noted that some of the students had taken loans to finance their studies.

He said, “We were under the agreement to be paid $500 per month and we have not been paid since June 2023 which has resulted in students engaging in exploitative illegal labour such as washing plates, and construction. I personally have worked in a soap warehouse and restaurant for 12 and 14 hours at a stretch respectively with reduced pay against the agreement and host country’s visa.

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“A few months ago after several agitations and representations by our parents, our parents were encouraged by the FG to take loans to the tune of millions because of the exchange rate and the rising cost of living in our host counties to send to us for our survival with the promise that the situation will be sorted out and our stipends would be paid suddenly yesterday they released a memo slashing our stipends by 56%. How are we to pay back the loans or even survive ?”

Speaking further, the student revealed that some students took loans from loan sharks.

“Yes, several students took loans from even loan sharks because no one in this economy would loan millions to a student that doesn’t have a definite payback period or collateral,” he said.

Also speaking, a parent who spoke on condition of anonymity while giving the breakdown said, “Each student now gets $3090 (2640 + 450) instead of the $6450. It’s only the medical students who get an extra 500 to make theirs $3590.

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“So (500×12)+ 250 + 200 + (500) = $6450 and $6950 (for non-medical and medical students respectively) slashed to (220×12)+ 250 + 200 + (500)= $3090 and $3590 (for non-medical and medical students respectively).

“Seeing that only supplementation was touched (others that concern us are still constant), that’s a 56% decrease.”

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Education

Lagos commences e-registration for 2025 UBE test

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*Set to include Yoruba language

By Francesca Hangeior

The Lagos State Government has commenced electronic registration for the 2025 Universal Basic Education by Continuous Assessment Scores and Placement Test.

This development is part of the state’s efforts to provide quality education to its citizens.
According to a circular signed by the Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, on Monday, Mr Orunsolu Adebayo, the registration would run from Monday, January 27 to Friday, April 18, 2025.

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It read, “Only primary six pupils in public and approved private primary schools in Lagos State are eligible to participate in the UBE by CAS and Placement Test.

UBE-approved Social Study textbook teaches masturbation, dad claims
“Registration is free for public primary schools, while pupils of approved private primary schools are required to pay N5,000 per candidate through the Lagos State Central Billing System.”

It added that the Lagos State Examinations Board had also approved Yoruba Language as one of the subjects for testing the knowledge and thinking ability of pupils sitting for the Placement Test by CAS.

Adebayo, assured stakeholders and parents that measures were in place to ensure seamless and hitch-free registration.

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He emphasised that no child would be left unattended during the registration process.

Lagos commences e-registration for 2025 UBE test

*Set to include Yoruba language

By Francesca Hangeior

The Lagos State Government has commenced electronic registration for the 2025 Universal Basic Education by Continuous Assessment Scores and Placement Test.

Advertisement

This development is part of the state’s efforts to provide quality education to its citizens.
According to a circular signed by the Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, on Monday, Mr Orunsolu Adebayo, the registration would run from Monday, January 27 to Friday, April 18, 2025.

It read, “Only primary six pupils in public and approved private primary schools in Lagos State are eligible to participate in the UBE by CAS and Placement Test.

UBE-approved Social Study textbook teaches masturbation, dad claims
“Registration is free for public primary schools, while pupils of approved private primary schools are required to pay N5,000 per candidate through the Lagos State Central Billing System.”

It added that the Lagos State Examinations Board had also approved Yoruba Language as one of the subjects for testing the knowledge and thinking ability of pupils sitting for the Placement Test by CAS.

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Adebayo, assured stakeholders and parents that measures were in place to ensure seamless and hitch-free registration.

He emphasised that no child would be left unattended during the registration process.

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Education

FG announces resumption date for Unity Schools

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The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has announced that students at the 112 Federal Government Colleges will now return to school on January 12, 2025, instead of the originally scheduled January 5.

The extension, as confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of FME, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, is due to ongoing renovations at several schools.

A circular issued to school principals explains the change, following approval from the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad.

At Kings College in Lagos, there has been no official update on the resumption schedule, leaving some parents confused.

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Typically, senior students preparing for exams like WASSCE and NECO return first, but no formal notice has been issued this year.

Meanwhile, parents are currently making payments of N58,000 for SS III students.

The breakdown includes payment of boarding fees of N30,000, the balance of WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB fees of N11,000.

Other fees include N2,000 for medical, ICT training, extra lessons, and utility, and N1,000 for sports, vocational, clubs, societies, and security.

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Education

LP speaks on alleged strange romance with Tinubu over 2027 presidential race

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The Labour Party (LP) has strongly rejected rumors suggesting that it is in a partnership with President Bola Tinubu in anticipation of the 2027 elections. These rumors claimed that the LP had struck an agreement to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term should he choose to run.

In response, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement on Friday, labeling these allegations as baseless and unfounded. He emphasized that the party has continually dismissed any notion of collaboration with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) concerning the upcoming 2027 general elections.

Ifoh asserted that the Labour Party remains the most prominent opposition party in Nigeria, with the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, being a leading critic of the current government. “Our National Chairman is at the forefront of challenging the policies of the government, consistently voicing opposition to the actions of the current administration,” Ifoh said.

The spokesperson also highlighted the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. These include the establishment of an Electoral Reform Committee aimed at ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, as well as the introduction of an e-membership registration system that has already attracted a significant number of new members.

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Ifoh further expressed disappointment over the defamatory nature of the rumors, calling it “ridiculous and unfortunate” for anyone to attempt to undermine the Labour Party’s efforts in such a manner. “For anyone to try to tarnish the reputation of a party that is actively working to reshape the political landscape in Nigeria is truly unfortunate,” he remarked.

Finally, the Labour Party spokesperson challenged Deji Adeyanju and anyone else promoting such claims to provide concrete evidence to support their accusations. “We call on Deji Adeyanju and others to present factual proof if they believe that the leadership of our party or Mr. Abure has any intention of working with President Tinubu or the APC for the 2027 elections,” Ifoh stated firmly.

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