The Nigerian government has rejected claims that its scholarship students in Morocco have been abandoned, stating that all eligible beneficiaries remain supported under the Federal Government’s obligations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, dismissed reports circulating in the media as “false, unfounded, and intentionally misleading.”

Alausa emphasized, “No Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned,” reassuring the public that all those enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship Programme prior to 2024 have received payments through the 2024 budget year.

He explained that any delays in payments were due to fiscal constraints, but noted that the issue was being addressed through ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

The minister also addressed rumors about new scholarship awards granted in October 2025 or later, calling the documents that circulated in support of such claims “fake” and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

“No new bilateral scholarship awards have been made in October 2025 or at any point afterward,” he clarified. “The documents being circulated are unauthenticated and are part of a calculated effort to undermine government policy.”

Dr. Alausa explained that the decision to halt government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad resulted from a policy review that determined Nigeria’s domestic institutions now have the capacity to offer these programs.

“Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education now have the capacity to offer the affected programs locally,” he said.

As a result, the government will only support scholarships fully funded by foreign governments, where all financial obligations are borne by the host countries. However, he assured students already enrolled that they would continue to receive support until the completion of their studies.

“The Federal Government remains fully committed to students who are already enrolled under the previous arrangements,” Alausa stated. “They will continue to be supported until they finish their programs.”

For students who may choose to discontinue their studies abroad, Alausa assured them that the transition would be smooth. “Students wishing to return home can write formally to the Director of the Department of Scholarship Awards and will be reintegrated into suitable Nigerian universities. The Federal Government will also cover their return travel costs.”

The minister also explained that the policy reforms aim to curb inefficiencies and reduce unnecessary financial burdens, particularly those resulting from sponsoring overseas studies in courses already available in Nigeria.

“These reforms are designed to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources,” he added.

Finally, Dr. Alausa reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students and urged the public to be wary of misinformation and attempts to discredit policies that aim to strengthen national education infrastructure and protect the integrity of the sector.