July 30, 2025—The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major increase in scholarship grants for students across all levels of education, marking the most comprehensive reform of the national scholarship programme in over a decade.
Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the Honourable Minister of Education, made the announcement in a statement on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education. He described the initiative as a bold step toward building a knowledge-driven and inclusive nation, aligning closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“In line with our unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive and knowledge-driven nation, I am pleased to announce a landmark reform of Nigeria’s national scholarship programme, our most ambitious overhaul in more than a decade,” Dr. Alausa said.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government has increased scholarship amounts by 50 percent across all academic levels to reduce the financial burden on families and improve access to quality education.
Under the revised structure, PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually, up from ₦500,000. Master’s students will receive ₦600,000, compared to the previous ₦400,000, while undergraduate, HND, and NCE students will get ₦450,000, up from ₦300,000.
“These enhanced awards apply to all major programmes, including the Nigerian Scholarship Award,” Dr. Alausa added.
As part of the reform, the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme has also been restructured.
While existing recipients will continue to receive their benefits, funds initially set aside for new international scholarships have been redirected to support two newly introduced scholarship categories under the national programme.
The first new category targets students in public polytechnics enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and vocational training, with a ₦1 billion fund allocated.
The second focuses on students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities, also supported by a ₦1 billion fund. These categories are aimed at strengthening high-impact sectors essential to national growth.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the strategic focus of the programme, saying, “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.”
To ensure fairness and effective use of resources, a revised allocation model has been introduced. Under this framework, 50 percent of all scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students, 25 percent to Master’s degree students, and 25 percent to PhD candidates.
Within each group, 70 percent of scholarships will support students in STEMM disciplines, while 30 percent will go to students in the Social Sciences. Additionally, 5 percent of all scholarships are reserved for students with disabilities.
The programme is expected to benefit over 15,000 students nationwide, including recipients of 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.
The committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other relevant bodies to ensure transparency and accountability.
A total of ₦6 billion has been allocated for the 2025–2026 scholarship cycle, underlining the government’s intention to boost human capital development through targeted investment in education.
“We are not just funding education—we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success,” the Minister stated. “I remain fully committed to ensuring this renewed scholarship programme delivers on its promise, and I call on all stakeholders, students, parents, institutions, and the broader public—to work with us in realizing the full potential of this transformative initiative.”
