In a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s scholarship framework, the Federal Government has announced a 50% increase in grants for students across all academic levels, marking the most significant reform of the national scholarship programme in over a decade.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, disclosed the development in a public statement on Wednesday. He described the reform as a “bold national investment” aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education as a key pillar in transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy.
Under the revised scholarship scheme, annual grants for PhD students have been increased from ₦500,000 to ₦750,000, Master’s students from ₦400,000 to ₦600,000, and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students from ₦300,000 to ₦450,000.
“These enhanced awards will ease the financial burden on Nigerian families and enhance access to quality education, particularly in strategic fields that are critical to national development,” Dr. Alausa said.
The restructured programme now places significant emphasis on merit, equity, and relevance. It prioritizes disciplines in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM), as well as vocational education, areas the government believes are vital to the country’s long-term development goals.
As part of the overhaul, the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship has been restructured. While existing international beneficiaries will continue to receive support, funds for new international awards have been redirected to two new local scholarship categories.
The first category targets students in public polytechnics pursuing STEM and vocational training, with ₦1 billion allocated. The second focuses on students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities, also backed by ₦1 billion.
In a bid to ensure equity and inclusion, the ministry has introduced a new allocation framework. According to Dr. Alausa, 50% of scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students, while 25% each will go to Master’s and PhD candidates. Within each academic category, 70% of scholarships will be reserved for STEMM students, and 30% for those in the Social Sciences. Additionally, 5% of all awards are earmarked for students with disabilities.
“This new structure reflects our unwavering commitment to fairness, inclusion, and national impact,” the Minister stated.
The Federal Scholarship Board will implement the revised programme in collaboration with an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary. The committee includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability.
An estimated 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, the Education Bursary Award, and the revamped BEA scheme.
The entire reform package is backed by a ₦6 billion allocation for the 2025–2026 academic cycle.
“We are not just funding education, we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success,” Dr. Alausa declared.
He called on students, parents, educational institutions, and the public to support the government’s vision for a more educated, inclusive, and prosperous nation.
