STATEMENT FROM THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, DR. MARUF OLATUNJI ALAUSA, CON
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.
Through the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Government has significantly increased scholarship grants across all academic levels, easing the financial burden on students and families, while enhancing access to quality education for all.
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. In this light, the revised programme emphasizes merit, equity, and relevance to national development priorities—particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medical Sciences (STEMM), and vocational education.
To tackle the rising costs of education and to ensure that no deserving student is left behind, scholarship amounts have been increased by 50% across board. PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually (up from ₦500,000), Master’s students ₦600,000 (from ₦400,000), and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students ₦450,000 (up from ₦300,000). These enhanced awards apply to all major programmes, including the Nigerian Scholarship Award.
As earlier pledged, we have also restructured the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme. While existing beneficiaries will continue to receive their entitlements, funds previously earmarked for new international awards have been repurposed to introduce two new strategic scholarship categories under the national programme.
The first targets students in public polytechnics pursuing STEM and vocational training, with ₦1 billion allocated to this group. The second is tailored for students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities, also supported with ₦1 billion. These new categories reflect our commitment to investing in high-impact sectors critical to national development.
We have introduced a revised allocation framework to ensure fairness and impact. Under this new structure, 50% of scholarships will go to undergraduate students, 25% to Master’s, and 25% to PhD candidates. Of each category, 70% of awards will support students in STEMM disciplines, while 30% will support the Social Sciences. In a deliberate move to foster inclusion, 5% of all scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities.
Over 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, and the restructured BEA scheme. The implementation will be coordinated by the Federal Scholarship Board in partnership with an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. This committee includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key institutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
With a total budget of ₦6 billion allocated for the 2025–2026 cycle, this reform is more than a policy—it is a bold national investment in our youth, our future, and our collective prosperity. We are not just funding education—we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success.
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.
