NIGERIAN SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS IN RUSSIA REJECT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR SUPPLEMENTATION ALLOWANCES BY FG 26-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Association of Nigerian Scholarship Students in Russia has rejected the reduction of their supplementation allowances by the Federal Government through the Federal Scholarship Board.
A letter to the Federal Scholarship Board by the President of the Association, Mr. Alambo Jeffery explains that the students could barely survive on the $500 due to high cost of living and reducing the amount would only add to the hardship faced by them.
It says the adjustment was made without due consultations and does not reflect the current economic realities.
According to the statement, the rationale provided for the reduction was unacceptable as the government’s responsibility was to ensure supplementary funds are available to cover the budget shortfall.
It therefore appeals to the government to revert to the original supplementary budget as captured in their contract letter.
The Federal Government had written a letter to the students announcing a cut in some of their allowances due to the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
According to the letter, Supplementation per month was reduced from $500 to $220, PG research allowance, from $1000 to $500 and passage/graduation allowance from $2,500 to $2,000
It however assured the students that the balances for 2023 and 2024 would be paid as soon as funds are available.
Recently the students had complained of the non-payment of allowances for the past eight months.