FG increases scholarship funding
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigerian Scholarship Awards increased to N6 billion, targeting over 15,000 students under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a statement signed on Thursday by the Ministry of Education Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, revealed.
In a landmark move to alleviate education costs and fuel inclusive national growth, the Federal Ministry of Education has unveiled a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s scholarship programme—the most ambitious in over ten years.
Announced by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa CON, the reform significantly raises scholarship grants across all academic levels and introduces new targeted categories to align with Nigeria’s economic and developmental goals.
“At the heart of this reform,” Alausa stated, “is a commitment not only to enhance merit-based access and economic relevance but to foster inclusivity and position Nigeria as a $1 trillion economy.”
Key Highlights of the Reform Include: 50% Increase in Scholarship Amounts:
PhD students now receive ₦750,000 annually, up from ₦500,000; Master’s students get ₦600,000, increased from ₦400,000; and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students receive ₦450,000 annually, up from ₦300,000; Introduction of Two New Scholarship Categories; ₦1 billion allocated for STEM and vocational students in public polytechnics; ₦1 billion dedicated to students in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities; Revised Scholarship Allocation Framework. 50% of awards to undergraduates, 25% to Master’s, and 25% to PhD candidates. Within each segment, 70% priority is given to STEMM disciplines, 30% to Social Sciences. Additionally, 5% of scholarships are reserved for students with disabilities.
Alausa emphasised that existing scholarship beneficiaries will continue receiving their awards, and funds originally set aside for new awardees have been redirected to these new, priority categories.
The reforms are expected to benefit more than 15,000 students through programs including the Nigerian Scholarship Award and Education Bursary Award.
The revamped program is a critical pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, integrating educational advancement with national economic goals.
With a combined budget of ₦6 billion for the 2025-2026 cycle, the initiative is designed not merely as educational funding but as “a deliberate strategy to cultivate the human capital required for Nigeria’s long-term transformation,” Minister Alausa said.
Implementation will be managed by the Federal Scholarship Board in collaboration with an Inter-Ministerial Committee to ensure accountability and alignment with national policies.
As Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, signed off, the Ministry “reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in delivering this renewed scholarship agenda in alignment with national aspirations.”
