The Federal Government of Nigeria offers the Bilateral Education Agreement (B.E.A.) scholarship program, which provides opportunities for non-English speaking countries.
This program aims to support individuals pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in various fields.
Let’s explore the eligibility requirements and application process for this prestigious scholarship.
Undergraduate Program:
The B.E.A. scholarship program offers degree programs in several countries such as Russia, Venezuela, Morocco, Egypt, and Hungary.
To be eligible for the undergraduate program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Excellence: Candidates should have a minimum of seven distinctions in the Senior West Africa Examination Council (W.A.E.C.), including English, Mathematics, and five other subjects related to their field of study.
- Recent W.A.E.C. Certificate: The W.A.E.C. certificate should not be older than two years, specifically May/June 2021 or May/June 2022.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be between 17 and 20 years old to be considered for the undergraduate program.
Postgraduate Program:
For those who have already obtained their first degree from Romania, Hungary, China, Serbia, or other eligible countries, the B.E.A. scholarship offers postgraduate programs in Russia. The requirements for the postgraduate program are as follows:
- Academic Achievement: Applicants should have completed their degree as a first-class or second-class upper division student from a recognized institution.
- National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C.): Completion of the mandatory one-year N.Y.S.C. program is necessary.
- Age Limit: Candidates applying for a Master’s degree should not exceed 35 years of age, while Ph.D. applicants must be under 40 years old.
- Employment Approval: Employed individuals must provide evidence of employer approval and support for the program.
Language Lessons:
As the B.E.A. scholarship is intended for non-English speaking countries, successful applicants are required to participate in a compulsory 12-month foreign language training program in their chosen study country. This language training aims to overcome communication barriers during the scholarship program.
Application Process:
To apply for the B.E.A. scholarship, candidates need to follow these steps:
- Undergraduate Program in Hungary: If applying for an undergraduate program in Hungary, applicants can select two different fields of study, arranged in order of preference. The application portal for Hungary opens in mid-November and closes on January 16th, 2023. Visit www.stipendiumhungaricum.hu to complete the online application.
- Postgraduate Program in Russia: For postgraduate studies in Russia, applicants must have obtained their first degree from a Russian institution. To complete the application online, visit https://education-in-russia.com/.
Required Documents:
Applicants need to prepare the following documents for submission:
- Undergraduates: Provide a copy of your Waec/Wassce certificate.
- Postgraduates: Submit a copy of your Waec/Wassce certificate and National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C.) discharge or exemption certificate.
- Indigene/LG Identification: Include your local government identification letter.
- Academic Certificates: Provide original copies of your academic certificates as requested by the board.
- Birth Certificate: Submit an authentic birth certificate that can be traced and matches other certificates.
- Medical Records: Include official medical records from government-owned hospitals.
- Police Clearance: Provide a police clearance form if necessary.
- Passport: Submit the data page of your international passport.
Application Deadline and Contact Information:
The application period for the B.E.A. scholarship program closes on January 6th, 2023. To obtain further information or clarification, contact the official phone numbers 08077884417 or 08035996213. You can also apply by sending an email to fsb@education.gov.ng.
Conclusion
The Federal Government B.E.A. scholarship program provides an excellent opportunity for Nigerian students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in non-English speaking countries.
With generous funding and support, successful applicants can embark on a rewarding educational journey and contribute to their chosen fields.
