By Saint Mugaga

The House of Representatives Committee on Students Loans, Scholarships and Higher Education Financing headed by Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero Wednesday began investigation into allegations of non-payment of scholarship stipends to students studying at home and abroad.

While making presentations before the committee, parents of the affected students under the aegis of ‘Forum Of Parents And Guardians Of FGN Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship Recipients, Abuja, Nigeria’ alleged that, the terms of the scholarship have been breached.

The Forum Chairman, Prince Ponfa A. Wuyep, who made the presentation stated that “The scholarship programme had progressed steadily in the various countries while many Nigerian ex-scholars have significantly benefited and are making their contributions to the growth and development of our nation.

“It is noteworthy that while the host countries have tried to keep to the agreement under the BEA, Nigeria has not measured up to the regular payment of stipends to the scholars.

“However, in the last three (3) years or thereabout, things have taken a newturn not for the good of the scholars. It is essential at this stage to refer this honourable committee to the contractual agreement in the award letter to the benefitting scholars”.

According to the parents, as at the year 2018, the letter of award entitled the beneficiary to supplements on allowance of $500 per month and $600 per annum for feeding, local transportation and books/equipments; an annual $250 warm clothing allowance and $200 Health Insurance.

It also provides for a $60,000 take-off grant before departure; a one-way ticket to the country of study and return ticket at the end of the office the course to be collected from the Nigerian Mission.

They further informed that, “In the same vein another scholar’s letter dated September, 2022 was equally detailed as below. The award entitles you to: supplementation allowances of $500 per month and $6000 per annum to augment feeding, local transportation and equipment/book; warm clothing allowance of $250 per annum, Health Insurance of $200 per annum; Take-Off grant of $60,000 before departure; a one-way ticket to the country of study and return ticket in form of passages at the end of the course to be collected from the Nigerian Mission abroad”.

The parents and guardians further noted that, in the last three years, the scholarship programme had experience challenges largely due to Naira-Dollar fluctuations resulting in the shortfall of payments to scholars from 2023-2024.

They added, ” The scholars have not received any stipend payment for the entire fiscal year 2025 to date. This delay in payment has severely compromised the scholars’ ability to meet basic living costs, jeorpardising their health, safety, and academic performance.

“Furthermore, in addition to the current year’s non-payment, the scholars are still owed shortfalls from stipends payments made during the 2023-2024 calendar years. These cumulative arrears represent a substantial debt owed to the students and have caused prolonged financial distress”.

Declaring the investigative hearing open, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen represented by Rep. David Agada, lamented the alleged delay in the payment of students, saying that it could cause setbacks for the students.

He said, “Any delay in payment affects education and motivation of the students negatively”.

Speaker Abbas stressed that, the 10th Assembly is ready to enhance administrative efficiency in the payment of scholarship stipends to students adding that, the findings would guide future operations of the scholarship scheme.

In his address, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, said that the allegations if confirmed, represent bureaucratic failures and betrayal of national trust.

He described the situation as a direct threat to the academic, psychological, and physical well-being of Nigeria’s young citizens abroad.

“A nation that sends students abroad to study should be committed to fund them, guide them and protect their dignity as a way of investing in their future”.

The chairman frowned at the reports on the situation of stranded Nigerian scholars abroad saying that, as part of its mandate, the committee will ascertain the causes of the delays and administrative failures.

He stressed that it will also examine the status of funds released for scholarship purposes, determine whether due process, fairness and accountability are observed.

By Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, said anybody who was involved in the rumoured report of early closure of schools in the nation’s capital, will nor be forgiven.

Wike threatened while fielding questions from journalists after inspecting the ongoing construction of N11 roads, Guzape 2, Abuja.

The project was awarded in 2019. Allocation of lands in the area was done in 2018.
Full scale construction works just started, courtesy of the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope government.

He lamented that the circular was not approved by him, as the FCT Minister.

It would be recalled that a few days ago , that report on the media directed all Government Schools In Abuja To End Examinations And Close Schools By by Friday, 28th November , 2025, the generated from the FCT Education secretariat through the secondary education board (SEB) and the Universal Basic Education Board( UBEB) to all principals and heads of school.

Explaining how he got to know about the directive, Wike said, “Well, you know in the system, sometimes you get baffled. And that’s why it’s important for one to be current. I was watching television last night and I saw a school, that FCT has directed that schools should be shut down. I couldn’t believe it, so I had to call the Mandate Secretary of Education and of course, he couldn’t reply then I had to get to the details. I have gone to know the circular that was given to all the schools without our approval. And I know that we’re having a Security Council meeting today. I called the Commissioner of Police and I called other necessary authorities. I said, who did this? and they said, It’s not in their agenda and there’s no way because we don’t have such a threat that will make us shut down the schools”.

Wike said, for this, the Mandate Secretary, for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, has been suspended indefinitely, and Directors involved would be sanctioned according to civil service rule, “So because of that, the Mandate Secretary of Education has been suspended indefinitely and the Directors who were involved would be sanctioned according to civil service rules. But it’s unimaginable how people could take such a decision without the head of the affairs knowing. It’s very unfortunate”.

The FCT Minister therefore assured residents that the FCT is safe and secure, with no credible threat warranting a school closure.

“How could you have taken such an action in anticipation? I mean, even I cannot do that without letting the President know. This is the FCT. Do you know what that tells? That there’s insecurity in FCT. Kaduna has never shut down, Nassarawa has never shut down, And Kogi never shut down. So how will you say we were threatened? The security do everything they can to make sure that the schools are ongoing. But we will not forgive anybody who is involved in this”, he said.

On the inspected ongoing Guzape 2 project, Wike, reiterated the commitment of his adminstration in creating infrastructure and boosting economic opportunities in the capital city.

He explained that the project, designated as A11, Guzape, had been stalled due to lack of funding, but the current administration was determined to complete it.

“We felt that the only way we can create, or make people develop, is to create infrastructure,” he said.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned a 244-bed female hostel at Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori River State

The commissioning is part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to address students’ accommodation challenges in public tertiary institutions in the country.

While commissioning the hostel, the member representing the South-South Geopolitical Zone on the TETFund Board of Trustees, Hon. Aboh Uduyok commended the management of the institution for the timely delivery of the project.

He said: “Today’s event is more than a commissioning; it is a celebration of partnership, vision, and progress. Across Nigeria, TETFund has been commissioning completed projects in beneficiary institutions.

“This reflects the Fund’s steady pursuit of excellence and impact through purposeful interventions. What we witness here today is a demonstration of prudent resource management and a shared commitment to transforming Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, we are assembled here today for the commissioning of a 244 – Bed Female Student Hostel project whose total cost is N1,399,965,179.25 sponsored by TETFund. It is gratifying to note that this project has been delivered under the present challenging economic conditions, and this is a tangible symbol of resilience, integrity, and commitment.

“This stands as part of TETFund’s continuous effort to ensure that all beneficiary institutions have the requisite physical infrastructure to support innovation, creativity, and excellence in technical and vocational education.”

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, who was represented by Engr. Samson Imoni of TETFund’s Monitoring and Evaluation Department commended the institution for demonstrating prudence, integrity and discipline in its management of public funds.

Also speaking, Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Ledum Gwarah expressed appreciation to TETFund for its invention role in the institution.

“This project brings us immense joy because it is not merely a building, it is a facility that transforms lives. With the comfort provided here, our students will be encouraged to remain on campus, concentrate on their studies, and thrive in a safe and conducive environment,” he said.