In a landmark move to ease the financial strain on students and their families, the Federal Government has announced a 50 per cent increase in scholarship grants for Nigerian students at all levels of tertiary education.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who disclosed the reform via a statement posted on his official X handle (formerly Twitter), described it as “the most ambitious overhaul of Nigeria’s national scholarship programme in more than a decade.”
According to the minister, the enhanced scheme is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to reposition education as a key driver in transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy.
> “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,” Alausa stated.
New Scholarship Amounts for 2025–2026
Under the revised programme:
PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually (up from ₦500,000),
Master’s students will get ₦600,000 (up from ₦400,000),
Undergraduate, HND, and NCE students will receive ₦450,000 (up from ₦300,000).
Alausa added that the reformed programme prioritises merit, inclusivity, and alignment with Nigeria’s developmental goals—particularly in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences) and vocational training.
New Scholarship Categories Introduced
As part of the restructuring, two new categories have been introduced with a ₦2 billion funding pool:
1. ₦1 billion for STEM and vocational training students in public polytechnics.
2. ₦1 billion for students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities.
Additionally, a revised allocation formula will guide distribution:
50% of scholarships will go to undergraduate students,
25% to Master’s students,
25% to PhD candidates.
Of each category, 70% of awards will support STEMM disciplines, while 30% will go to the Social Sciences. Importantly, 5% of all scholarships are reserved for students living with disabilities, a move aimed at promoting equity.
More than 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, and the revamped Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scheme. The initiative will be implemented by the Federal Scholarship Board, working in collaboration with an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry.
The oversight team includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key institutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
“This reform is more than a policy—it is a bold national investment in our youth, our future, and our collective prosperity,” Alausa said. “We are not just funding education—we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success.”
