By: Nafiu Toyin Abdulqadri.
The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and the leadership of the Federal Scholarship Board to explain the delay in payment of outstanding grants to Nigerian students stranded abroad. The upper chamber also called for sanctions against responsible officials, citing the damage to Nigeria’s international reputation and the students’ suffering.
The Senate resolution followed a motion by the Senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, who highlighted the federal government’s annual scholarships for exceptional students to study internationally. However, reports of non-payment of tuition and living stipends in countries like Algeria, China, and the UK have led to negative media coverage and national embarrassment.
The Senate demands a detailed report on the status of Nigerian students under international scholarship programs, including unpaid entitlements. This move follows previous interventions by the Senate to address similar issues, emphasizing the need for urgent action to rectify the situation and prevent further diplomatic concerns.