Every year, the Federal Ministry of Education awards the Bilateral Education Agreement Awards to eligible Nigerian students, to aid them to further their undergraduate or postgraduate education in various BEA partnership countries overseas and in Africa.
If you happen to be interested in this scholarship programme, this article contains everything you need to know about the award, it’s awarding body the Federal Scholarship Board, list of universities and countries where the scholarship is obtainable, courses, eligibility criteria, etc.
It is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this prestigious scholarship award.
Dive right in to find the answers you seek.
About BEA Scholarship
The BEA Scholarship is awarded each year under the direction of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Under the directive that is given by the Federal Ministry of Education to the Federal Scholarship Board which awards the Federal Bilateral Scholarship to eligible Nigerian students who are either undergraduate or postgraduate students to give them the opportunity to study overseas under the Bilateral Education Agreement.
BEA Scholarship Programme
The BEA Scholarship Programme is awarded by the Bilateral Education Agreement division of the Federal Scholarship Board which is charged with implementing this scholarship programme between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Countries that have signed the BEA with Nigeria.
The Federal Scholarship Board (FSB)
The Federal Scholarship Board is a body formed by the Federal Ministry of Education to oversee the distribution of scholarships accordingly, to every eligible Nigerian student, both in diaspora and within the country.
It also the FSB that awards the Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship Program, that makes it possible for Nigerian students of any educational background, to have the opportunity to study globally. More information about FSB can be found on FSB website
FSB Scholarships
Apart from BEA scholarshp, FSB award other government scholarships listed below
- Commomwealth Scholarship
- Nigerian Award
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
- Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship
- PTDF scholarship
BEA Chairman and Board Members
Since the BEA is a division of the Federal Ministry Of Education, the Chairman presiding over it is the chairman of Federal Scholarship Board - Mrs Fatima Jiddum Ahmad. Other committee members are can be found in the table below:
S/N |
Position |
Name |
1 |
Chairman |
Mrs Fatima Jiddum Ahmad |
2 |
Honourable Minister of Education |
Mallam Adamu Adamu |
3 |
Honourable Minister Of State For Education |
Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba |
4 |
Permanent Secretary Of Education |
Dr Grace Mclean |
5 |
Federal Character Commission |
Rt. Honourable Abubakar Yahaya Kusada |
6 |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
H.E. Geoffrey Onyeoma |
7 |
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development |
Hajiya Aisha Abubakar |
8 |
Ministry of National Planning and Budget |
Clement Agba |
BEA Scholarship Countries
The BEA scholarships are only valid and attainable in the following countries:
- Algeria
- China
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Hungary
- Japan
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- South Korea
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Cuba
- Greece
- Czech Republic
- Macedonia
- Syria
BEA Scholarship Universities
The BEA Scholarship can be awarded to students who apply to certain universities in countries that signed the Bilateral Education Agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Few of these universities are:
S/N |
University |
Country |
1 |
Nanjing University |
China |
2 |
Wuhan University |
China |
3 |
The University of Jinan |
China |
4 |
The University of Maiduguri |
Nigeria |
BEA Undergraduate Scholarship
The aim of the BEA undergraduate scholarship award is to provide Nigerian undergraduate students with the opportunity to study overseas in order to obtain quality education and exposure.
BEA Scholarship Benefits for Undergraduate Students
The Federal Government of Nigeria is to pay commitments of:
- $500 monthly for supplementation
- $250 yearly for warm clothing
- $200 yearly for Health Insurance
- Medical allowance of $500 yearly for General medicine scholars only
- $6,000 per annum for feeding, local transport, maintenance, equipment/ books.
- Passages in the form of a one-way ticket to the country of study and the sum of $2,500 paid to graduate scholars at the end of the course by the Nigerian Mission in the host country for return air-ticket and other incidentals for a smooth transition back to the home country.
The Awarding BEA country is committed to paying:
Tuition fee and accommodation.
Read Also: PTDF Scholarship - Everything you need to know about PTDF Scholarship
BEA Scholarship Countries For Undergraduate Studies
- Russia
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Serbia
- Hungary
- Egypt
- Turkey
- Cuba
- Romania
- Ukraine
- Japan
- Macedonia
BEA Scholarship Courses for Undergraduate
The courses available for this scholarship level are:
- Engineering
- Geology
- Agriculture
- Mathematics
- Languages
- Environmental Science
- Sports
- Law
- Social Science
- Biotechnology
- Architecture
- Medicine (limited scholarships awarded)
BEA Scholarship Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduates
To be able to apply for or be awarded BEA undergraduate scholarship, the undergraduate applicant must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of 5 distinctions (As and Bs) in their Senior Secondary School Certificate, WAEC (May and June). The distinction is valid only in subjects relevant to their field of study, including English and Mathematics.
- The certificate should not be more than 2 years old.
- Between 18-20 years.
- Should be a citizen of Nigeria.
Document Required for BEA Undergraduate Scholarship Application:
- Printed application form signed and stamped by your HOD or Dean of Faculty at your institution
- Letter of admission to the institute
- Current course registration form
- CGPA results of year 1,2,3
- Current school identity card
- Letter of identification from your state local government
- 4 passports signed by you on the back
BEA Scholarship Duration for Undergraduate Student:
The BEA undergraduate scholarships last 4-9 years depending on the level of study and the awarding country.
BEA Postgraduate Scholarship
The BEA federal government scholarship award which is tenable for undergraduate students to study overseas is also awarded to postgraduate students to further their Masters and PhD overseas.
BEA Scholarship Countries for Postgraduate
The BEA scholarship is obtainable for Postgraduate students in Universities in the following countries:
- China
- Hungary
- Serbia
- Turkey
- Japan
- Mexico
- South Korea
- Russia (For those PG students whose first degrees were gotten in Russia)
BEA Scholarship Courses for Postgraduate:
The BEA scholarships are available for postgraduate students who wish to further their studies in All fields of study.
BEA Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Students
To apply for the BEA scholarship programme, the postgraduate student must meet the following criteria:
- First Degree holder with at least Second Class Upper Division.
- Applicants who have received foreign awards before must have completed at least 2 years post qualification or employment practice
- Completed NYSC
- Age limit is 35 for Masters and 40 for PhD
- Have evidence of readiness to be discharged by the employer
How long BEA sponsorship last for Postgraduate Students
Same as the undergraduate students, the BEA postgraduate sponsorship last for 4-9 years depending on the level of study and the awarding country.
BEA Scholarship Benefits for Postgraduate Students
The Federal Government of Nigeria is to pay commitments of:
- $500 monthly for supplementation
- $250 yearly for warm clothing
- $200 yearly for Health Insurance
- Medical allowance of $500 yearly for General medicine scholars only
- $6,000 per annum for both postgraduates and undergraduates for feeding, local transport, maintenance, equipment/ books.
- Passages in the form of a one-way ticket to the country of study and the sum of $2,500 paid to graduate scholars at the end of the course by the Nigerian Mission in the host country for return air-ticket and other incidentals for a smooth transition back to the home country.
The Awarding BEA country is committed to paying:
Tuition fee and accommodation.
BEA Scholarship Application
To correctly apply for BEA scholarship the interested candidates whether undergraduate or postgraduate should:
- Visit the FSB online application system for BEA awards. If you don’t have an account you can create one and login if you already have an existing account.
- Fill out the form by inputting the required information. You can edit the information as much as you like until the application closes.
- Print out two application forms
- Submit the application forms at the exam venue
Read Also: PTDF Scholarship - Everything you need to know about PTDF Scholarship
BEA Scholarship Application Period
Interested applicants are required to apply before 15th-19th January which is when the interview process to choose eligible candidates to take place. The exact date of the next scholarship award and be found on their official website
BEA Scholarship Application Deadline
January 19th
BEA Scholarship Exam Centres
Applicants are requested to appear at the various venues scheduled for accreditation a day to the exam. The designated exam centres, based on the six geo-political zones are:
Zone 1: North - West
- State: Kaduna - Kano
- Venue: Kaduna - Kano
Zone 2: North- East
- State: Adamawa - Taraba
- Venue: Yola - Jalingo
Zone 3: North-Central
- State: FCT - Kwara
- Venue: Bwari - Ilorin
Zone 4: South- West
- State: Oyo - Ondo
- Venue: Ibadan - Akure
Zone 5: South-South
- State: Delta - River
- Venue: Asaba-P/Harcourt
Zone 6: South- East
- State: Abia - Imo
- Venue: Umuahia - Owerri
BEA Scholarship Exam Date and Time
Date: 15th-19th January
Time-8:00 am or 9:00 am daily
BEA Scholarship Documents to be submitted at the Exam Centre
All selected applicants must at the exam centre, submit:
- Two sets of completed application form
- 2 sets of photocopies of educational certificates and testimonials of previous schools attended. Including original copies of both certificates.
- WAEC certificate of May/June only (for undergraduates).
- Two copies of birth certificate from National Population Commission
- State of origin/LGA certificate duly signed, stamped and dated
- 4 coloured passports on white background
- NYSC completion or exemption certificate and Academic Transcript required for postgraduate applicants.
BEA Scholarship Result
The results announcing the eligible candidates of the BEA scholarship award is usually announced via email by the Federal Scholarship Board. Once the BEA results list is out, the selected candidate will be personally notified.
BEA Scholarship Interview Dates
The interview date will be stated on the email sent to the selected candidate.
Number Of People Awarded BEA Scholarship
In 2018, 216 people received the BEA federal government awards.
From 2015-2019 a sum total of 676 people have been awarded.
Documents To Be Submitted By Selected Candidates For The BEA Scholarship Award
Upon final selection and nomination by the awarding BEA countries, the chosen candidate will be required to submit:
-
Authenticated copies of academic certificates
- Data page of current international passport
- Specified medical reports
- Police clearance certificate where requested
BEA Scholarship Website
Every information about the latest and upcoming BEA scholarship awards, including date, exam centres, awarding BEA universities and application website can be found on the official BEA scholarship website.
BEA Scholarship Nairaland
For further support from fellow BEA scholarship program applicants, you can register and join the BEA Nairaland discussion forum. For updates and answers.
BEA Contact Info
If you have further question you can contact BEA via any of these their official phone numbers:
08077884417
09094268637
Read Also: PTDF Scholarship - Everything you need to know about PTDF Scholarship