Parents Decry FG’s Failure to Pay Allowances of Scholars in Russia

Uchechukwu Nnaike

Parents of Nigerian scholars in Russia have appealed to the federal government to aid students who are facing hard times over non-payment of their allowance since June last year.

The scholars are under the Bilateral Education Agreement, run by the Federal Scholarship Board (FDB).

The students are entitled to a monthly allowance from the Nigerian and Russian governments. While the host country is meeting its obligation, which covers tuition fees and accommodation, the Nigerian government has not paid allowances for feeding and other upkeep since June 2023.

A spokesperson for the parents, Mr Kola Benson, said since June last year when the students received their last allowance, they have not been paid, and most of the parents have to rely on their relatives to send financial support to their children. 

“The poor economic situation in Nigeria is making it difficult for many of the parents to do anything meaningful, and the children are frustrated. We are begging President Bola Tinibu to bail us out so that the children would not be pushed by hunger to do what they are not supposed to do since their families are not in Russia,” Benson said.

According to him, over 2,500 Nigerian students study across the many universities in Russia, particularly in cities like Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Belgorod, Rostov, Voronezh, Kursk and Samara.

Benson added that the students pay for their medical needs through the federal govt allowance, so their non-payment will add to the pressure they are facing.