The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced an increase in scholarship grants across all academic levels and introduced two new funding categories to strengthen vital sectors such as healthcare and technical education.
This initiative, which represents the biggest overhaul of Nigeria’s national scholarship programme in over a decade, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on education as the foundation for a knowledge-driven economy.
Key Highlights of the New Scholarship Reforms:
50% Increase in Scholarship Amounts Across All Levels
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed that scholarship grants have been increased by 50% to ease financial burdens on families and make quality education more accessible.
| Category | Previous Amount | New Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Students | ₦500,000 | ₦750,000 |
| Master’s Students | ₦400,000 | ₦600,000 |
| Undergraduate/HND/NCE | ₦300,000 | ₦450,000 |
These new figures apply to existing awards, including the Nigerian Scholarship Award and the Education Bursary Award.
Launch of Two New ₦1 Billion Specialised Grants
As part of the reform, the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) programme has been restructured. While previous beneficiaries will continue receiving support, funding for new international BEA awards has been redirected to support two new national categories:
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STEMM & Vocational Training Scholarships
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Targeted at students in public polytechnics studying Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and vocational skills.
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Backed by a ₦1 billion allocation.
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Medical & Health Scholarships
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Focused on students in public universities studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy.
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Also supported by ₦1 billion in funding.
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Revised Allocation Structure for Better Equity
To ensure fair and strategic disbursement, the Ministry has introduced a new scholarship distribution model:
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50% reserved for undergraduates
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25% allocated to Master’s students
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25% designated for PhD candidates
Within these groups:
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70% of scholarships will go to students in STEMM fields
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30% to those in Social Sciences
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An additional 5% is reserved exclusively for students living with disabilities
Who Will Benefit?
This renewed effort is expected to support over 15,000 students nationwide, cutting across:
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The Nigerian Scholarship Award
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The Education Bursary Award
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The Revised BEA Scheme
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The Newly Introduced STEMM and Medical Grants
The entire implementation will be managed by the Federal Scholarship Board, under the supervision of an Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.
This committee includes members from:
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The National Assembly
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Federal Character Commission
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Ministry of Women Affairs
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And other key institutions for transparency and accountability
Budget & Long-Term Vision
A total of ₦6 billion has been committed for the 2025–2026 scholarship cycle, a testament to the administration’s vision of transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy through targeted investment in human capital.
“We are not just funding education—we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success,” Dr. Alausa stated.
How to Apply
Eligible students across Nigeria are encouraged to take advantage of these new and upgraded opportunities. Details for application guidelines, eligibility requirements, and deadlines will be made available via the Federal Scholarship Board portal and official Ministry of Education channels.
✅ Tip: Keep your academic documents, admission letters, and a valid identification ready for quick application once the portal opens.
