Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
Federal Government has announced a major overhaul of Nigeria’s national scholarship program, approving a 50% increase in grants across all academic levels with a N6 billion budget for the 2025–2026 cycle.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday at a high-level meeting with Federal Scholarship Board officials in Abuja.
Alausa said the reforms aim to ease financial burdens on students and align education with Nigeria’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
“This initiative prioritizes merit, inclusivity, and economic relevance, significantly enhancing support for students,” he stated.
The increased grants, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, include N750,000 annually for PhD students (up from N500,000), N600,000 for Master’s students (up from N400,000), and N450,000 for undergraduate, HND, and NCE students (up from N300,000). These apply to key programs like the Nigerian Scholarship Award.
Alausa introduced two new scholarship categories under a restructured Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scheme, redirecting funds to support critical fields. A N1 billion fund will aid students in public polytechnics pursuing STEM and vocational programs, while another N1 billion will support students in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy at public universities.
To ensure equitable distribution, 50% of awards will go to undergraduates, 25% to Master’s, and 25% to PhD students, with 70% of each tier prioritizing STEMM disciplines and 30% for Social Sciences. Notably, 5% of scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities to promote inclusivity.
Over 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, and revamped BEA scheme. The Federal Scholarship Board, in partnership with an Inter-Ministerial Committee, will oversee implementation to ensure transparency and alignment with national priorities.
Alausa emphasized that the reforms are a strategic investment in human capital to drive Nigeria’s long-term transformation.
