In a major boost for Nigeria’s education sector, the Federal Government has approved a 50 per cent increase in scholarship grants for students across all tertiary levels, as part of a sweeping reform of the national scholarship programme—the most ambitious overhaul in over a decade.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, announced the development in a statement released on Wednesday, highlighting the government’s resolve to ease financial pressures on students while advancing access to quality education. The move, he said, is anchored in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education at the centre of national economic transformation.
Under the revised scholarship scheme, PhD students will now receive an annual grant of ₦750,000 (up from ₦500,000), Master’s students ₦600,000 (formerly ₦400,000), while undergraduate, HND, and NCE students will receive ₦450,000 annually (up from ₦300,000).
The reform also includes the introduction of two new strategic scholarship categories. The first is aimed at students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) and vocational training programmes in public polytechnics, with ₦1 billion allocated. The second is dedicated to students in public universities studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy—also backed by a ₦1 billion fund.
Dr Alausa emphasised that the enhanced awards are merit-based and aligned with national development priorities, particularly in fields critical to Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.
The scholarship distribution has been restructured to ensure equity and impact: 50 per cent of awards will go to undergraduate students, 25 per cent to Master’s students, and the remaining 25 per cent to PhD candidates. Of each category, 70 per cent of scholarships will support students in STEMM fields, while 30 per cent will benefit those in the social sciences. Furthermore, five per cent of all scholarships will be reserved for students living with disabilities.
According to the Minister, over 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, and the restructured Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scheme.
To ensure accountability and transparency, the Federal Scholarship Board will oversee the implementation, in collaboration with an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary. The committee includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key bodies.
“With a total budget of ₦6 billion earmarked for the 2025–2026 cycle, this reform is more than just a policy adjustment. It is a bold national investment in our youth and in Nigeria’s long-term prosperity,” Dr Alausa said.
He further called on students, parents, educational institutions, and the general public to support the initiative, stressing that the administration is committed to building a knowledge-driven and inclusive society.
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