FG Overhauls Scholarship Programme, Increases Grants by 50% across all Levels

The Federal Government has significantly increased scholarship grants across all academic levels as part of a comprehensive reform of its scholarship programme — the most ambitious overhaul in over a decade.

This major transformation was unveiled by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, during a high-level meeting with the Federal Scholarship Board.

According to Dr. Alausa, the reform is designed to enhance merit-based access, improve economic relevance, and foster inclusivity, while substantially increasing financial support for students.

“As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the revamped scholarship programme is aligned with efforts to position Nigeria as a $1 trillion economy by prioritizing education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Medical Sciences (STEMM), and vocational training,” the Minister stated.

To address rising education costs and promote equitable access to quality learning, the Federal Ministry of Education announced a 50% increase in scholarship grants across all levels. PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually, up from ₦500,000; Master’s students ₦600,000, up from ₦400,000; and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students will receive ₦450,000, increased from ₦300,000. These new rates will apply across all major scholarship programmes, including the Nigerian Scholarship Award.

In keeping with Dr. Alausa’s promise to restructure the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship programme, the Ministry confirmed that existing beneficiaries will continue to receive their awards. However, funds initially allocated for new BEA awardees have been redirected to establish two new scholarship categories.

The first targets students in public polytechnics enrolled in STEM and vocational programmes, backed by a ₦1 billion allocation. The second focuses on students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities, also supported with a ₦1 billion fund. Both initiatives are financed through a strategic reallocation of the BEA budget to address pressing national education needs.

A revised allocation framework has also been introduced to ensure equity and impact. Under the new structure, 50% of scholarships will go to undergraduate students, 25% to Master’s, and 25% to PhD candidates. Within each category, 70% of awards will focus on STEMM fields, while 30% will support Social Sciences. Notably, 5% of all scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities in a historic move to foster inclusivity.

The reforms are expected to benefit over 15,000 students through the Nigerian Scholarship Award, the Education Bursary Award, and the restructured BEA scheme. Implementation will be overseen by the Federal Scholarship Board in collaboration with an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education. The committee includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment with national policies.

With a total budget of ₦6 billion allocated for the 2025–2026 academic cycle, Dr. Alausa underscored the broader vision of the programme, saying, “This initiative goes beyond educational funding — it is a deliberate strategy to cultivate the human capital required for Nigeria’s long-term transformation.”

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in delivering this revitalized scholarship agenda in line with Nigeria’s development aspirations.