Parents of Nigerian students studying abroad under government scholarships on Monday barricaded the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding the immediate payment of outstanding allowances owed to their children.
The protesters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, said their children—who are on various Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) and other federal scholarship schemes—have been left stranded in foreign countries due to 16 months of unpaid stipends. They added that the government also owes an additional eight-month shortfall that has not been addressed.
Speaking at the demonstration, several parents expressed fears over the deteriorating welfare of the affected students, warning that many risk expulsion from their academic institutions or homelessness due to mounting debts.
One of the parents, who spoke anonymously, said many of the students have been surviving on charity and support from Nigerians abroad.
“Our children are suffering. Some have been kicked out of their hostels, some cannot feed, and others are being threatened by their schools. How can the government abandon students representing the country on scholarship?” the parent said.
Another parent described the situation as embarrassing and unacceptable, accusing the government of neglecting its international commitments.
“These scholarships were agreements between Nigeria and other countries. Defaulting on payments damages our image. We are here because our children are desperate, and we can no longer keep quiet,” the parent said.
The protesters vowed to continue their occupation of the ministry’s entrance until the government releases all outstanding payments.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Ministry of Finance had yet to address the demonstrators publicly.
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