The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a significant 50 per cent increase in scholarship grants across all levels of tertiary education, in what has been described as the most ambitious reform of the country’s national scholarship programme in over a decade.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, via a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at easing the financial burden on students and their families while enhancing access to quality education for all Nigerians.
“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,” Dr. Alausa stated.
Under the new scholarship structure:
- PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually, up from ₦500,000.
- Master’s students will get ₦600,000, up from ₦400,000.
- Undergraduate, HND, and NCE students will receive ₦450,000, up from ₦300,000.
The minister emphasized that the revised scholarship programme prioritizes merit, equity, and alignment with national development goals, especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM), as well as vocational education.
As part of the restructuring, the Federal Government has also repurposed funds previously allocated for new international scholarships under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) to launch two new strategic scholarship categories under the national programme:
- ₦1 billion for STEM and vocational students in public polytechnics.
- ₦1 billion for students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities.
Dr. Alausa also announced a revised allocation framework to ensure fairness and effectiveness in the distribution of awards:
- 50% of scholarships will be allocated to undergraduate students,
- 25% to Master’s students,
- 25% to PhD candidates.
Furthermore, 70% of the total scholarships will go to students in STEMM disciplines, while 30% will be allotted to those in the Social Sciences. In a progressive move to promote inclusion, 5% of all scholarships will be reserved for students living with disabilities.
The education minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive and knowledge-driven society, stating, “No deserving student should be left behind.”
