The primary responsibility of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Division within the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) is to execute scholarship awards between the Federal Government of Nigeria and countries that have entered into Bilateral Education Agreements (BEA) with Nigeria.
The countries that have Bilateral Education Agreements (BEA) with Nigeria are as follows:
a. Algeria b. China c. Cuba d. Egypt e. Hungary f. Japan g. Mexico h. Morocco i. Romania j. Russia k. Serbia l. South Korea m. Tunisia n. Turkey o. Ukraine
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Also, Apply for: The Embassy of France in Nigeria Scholarship for Nigerian Students
The scholarship awards cover studies leading to first degrees, Masters, and Ph.D. levels. Notably, all the countries, except Hungary, require scholars to study in the language of the respective countries. The eligibility criteria for BEA Scholarship Awards are detailed as follows:
i) Postgraduate Scholarship: Applicants for Ph.D. and Masters’ Degrees must hold a Masters’ Degree and a First Class (1st Class) or at least Second Class Upper (2:1) in their First Degree. Previous recipients of Foreign Awards must have completed at least two (2) years post-qualification or employment practices in Nigeria, including the completion of the N.Y.S.C. or obtaining an Exemption Certificate where applicable. The age limit is 35 years, and certificates must not be more than 5 years old. Evidence of the employer’s willingness to release the applicant (where necessary) is desirable.
ii) Undergraduate Scholarship: Applicants for undergraduate degree courses must possess a minimum qualification of Five (5) As or Bs in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) May/June Result, including English Language and Mathematics at one sitting. The age of certificates should not be more than one (1) year for African countries and two (2) years for European countries. The age limit for candidates is 18 to 20 years old.
iii) Fields of Study: a. Natural sciences b. Technology c. Engineering d. Information Technology e. Medicine and Medicine-related courses f. Environmental science g. Geology h. Petroleum-related courses i. Social science j. Law k. International Relations l. Languages, etc.
The activities of the BEA Division include:
A. Conduct of Computer-Based Test (Nomination Interview/Examination): i) Wide publicity is done through various media channels. ii) The first CBT questions and answers are generated by JAMB. iii) The FME/FSB website is open for online registrations and applications by interested Nigerians. iv) Tests are conducted simultaneously in designated centers across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. v) Test results are processed and ranked based on merit by JAMB.
B. Inter-Ministerial Nomination Committee: An Inter-Ministerial Nomination Committee Meeting is convened to consider the results from JAMB and create a data bank of prospective candidates for consideration by the Federal Scholarship Board.
C. Oral interviews: Oral interview sessions are conducted by donor Embassies’ officials for the final selection of candidates.
D. Briefing/Orientation of Scholars: Pre-departure briefing sessions are organized to prepare scholars and parents for life in foreign countries.
E. Remittance/Servicing of ongoing Scholars: Supplementation and other allowances of BEA Scholars are paid when funds are released for remittance to Nigerian Embassies in host countries.
F. Verification/Monitoring of Scholars: A Ministerial delegation goes on a Verification Exercise to monitor the academic progress and welfare of BEA Scholars in various countries.
Value of the Award: i) Federal Government commitment includes allowances for supplementation, warm clothing, health insurance, take-off grants, research grants, medical allowances, and passages. ii) Donor Country Commitment covers tuition fees and accommodation.
GENERAL NOTE FOR ALL APPLICANTS:
(i) Since the BEA countries are non-English speaking, applicants should be prepared to undertake a mandatory one-year foreign Language course of the Country of choice which will be the standard medium of instruction;
(ii) All applicants for Hungarian Scholarship can apply for up to two fields of study in order of preference, and must visit the website: www.stipendiumhungaricum.hu which was opened Middle November to close 16th January, 2024.
- Complete the application form online,
(iii) All applicants for Russia should visit the website http://education-in-russia.com which is opened.
(iv) All applicants for Russian Postgraduate Scholarship must have acquired their 1st Degree in Russia;
(v) All documents to be uploaded on the Russian Application portal and must be properly scanned in PDF format.
(vi) All Applicants to upload the following certificates online;
a. UNDERGRADUATE (UG): WAEC/WASSCE & NIN Slip
b. POSTGRADUATE (PG): 1st Degree Certificate, NIN Slip
& NYSC discharge or exemption Certificate.
NB: Candidates nominated by the Board will be required to submit to Federal Scholarship Board the following:
- Authenticated copies of academic certificates;
- Data page of the current International passport;
- Specified Medical Reports from Government hospitals;
- Birth Certificate & Indigene letter
v) Police Clearance Certificate where necessary.
OFFICIAL PHONE NUMBERS/E-MAIL:
i) 08077884417/08023297547
5.0 The Application portal will open on 25th November, 2023 and will close on 5th January, 2024.
ANY INFORMATION GIVEN BY AN APPLICANT CONTRARY TO THE ABOVE CRITERIA WILL RESULT TO DISQUALIFICATION AT ANY STAGE OF APPLICATION.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PARTICULAR APPLICATION DOES NOT ATTRACT ANY PROCESSING FEE. THEREFORE, BEWARE OF FRAUDSTERS
SIGNED: