FG increases scholarship grants by 50% for graduates, undergraduates

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced a 50 per cent increase in scholarship grants for Nigerian students at all tertiary education levels.

Describing the development as a “landmark reform of Nigeria’s national scholarship programme—its most ambitious overhaul in more than a decade,” the government said the move is designed to ease financial pressures on students and families while broadening access to quality education nationwide.

Minister of State for Education, Olatunji Alausa, disclosed the update in a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He said the initiative reflects the administration’s strong commitment to building a more inclusive, educated, and knowledge-based society.

Alausa stated, “Through the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Government has significantly increased scholarship grants across all academic levels, easing the financial burden on students and families, while enhancing access to quality education for all. This initiative is a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education at the heart of Nigeria’s transformation into a $1 trillion economy.”

According to him, the new scholarship structure will see PhD students receive ₦750,000 annually (up from ₦500,000), Master’s students ₦600,000 (from ₦400,000), and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students ₦450,000 (up from ₦300,000).

The revised programme, he noted, prioritises merit, equity, and national development goals, particularly in high-demand areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM), as well as vocational training.

He explained that the revamped scheme covers major programmes including the Nigerian Scholarship Award, with a restructured approach to the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scheme.

“While existing beneficiaries will continue to receive their entitlements, funds previously earmarked for new international awards have been repurposed to introduce two new strategic scholarship categories under the national programme,” he said.

One category targets students in public polytechnics pursuing STEM and vocational education, with ₦1 billion allocated, while the other supports students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities, also backed by ₦1 billion.

Alausa said a new allocation framework has been introduced to ensure impact and fairness:

• 50% of scholarships will go to undergraduate students
• 25% to Master’s students
• 25% to PhD candidates
  Of each category, 70% will support STEMM disciplines, and 30% will go to Social Sciences, while 5% of all scholarships are reserved for students with disabilities.

More than 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, and the redesigned BEA scheme.

Implementation will be overseen by the Federal Scholarship Board in partnership with an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, including representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key agencies to ensure transparency and accountability.

Alausa added, “With a total budget of ₦6 billion allocated for the 2025–2026 cycle, this reform is more than a policy—it is a bold national investment in our youth, our future, and our collective prosperity.”

He urged stakeholders—students, parents, academic institutions, and the general public—to support the initiative, emphasising that “we are not just funding education—we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success.”