Federal Government Increases Scholarship Funding by 50%, Now Awarding ₦750,000 to PhD Students Across All Academic Levels
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major overhaul of its national scholarship programme, aiming to boost the country's scientific and healthcare capacity. This transformation represents the most significant change in over a decade, expected to deepen access to quality education and strengthen national human capital development.
Under the revised programme, scholarship grants have been increased by 50% across all academic levels. Undergraduate, Higher National Diploma (HND), and Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) students will now receive ₦450,000 annually, a rise from ₦300,000. Master's degree students will receive ₦600,000, up from ₦400,000, and PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually, up from ₦500,000.
In addition, the government has restructured scholarship allocation to improve fairness and impact. Undergraduate students will now account for 50% of all slots, Master's candidates for 25%, and PhD candidates for the remaining 25%. Of the awards in each category, 70% are prioritized for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) fields, while 30% support Social Sciences and Humanities.
This reform aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to reduce financial burdens on students, promote merit-based and inclusive access, and foster human capital development essential for national transformation and Nigeria’s goal to become a $1 trillion economy.
The reformed scholarship programme covers the Nigerian Scholarship Award, the Education Bursary Award, and the restructured BEA scheme. Two new scholarship categories have been introduced: one for students enrolled in STEM and vocational programmes in public polytechnics, and another for students studying medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and physiotherapy in public universities.
An additional ₦1 billion has been set aside for students in the new STEM and vocational scholarship category, and ₦1 billion for students in the new medical and healthcare scholarship category. Moreover, 5% of the entire scholarship pool will be reserved for students living with disabilities.
The programme will be jointly coordinated by the Federal Scholarship Board and an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education. The combined budget for the scholarship programme is ₦6 billion, expected to benefit over 15,000 students in the 2025-2026 academic cycle.
Tunji Alausa, the Education Minister, described the reform as a strategic investment in Nigeria's future and a deliberate strategy to cultivate the human capital required for Nigeria's long-term transformation. The Ministry of Education remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in implementing the renewed scholarship agenda.
It is important to note that this reform is not related to the mandatory drug tests for university students, the Age Requirement for JSS1, shutting down facilities in Abuja, halting the review of doctors' allowances, or the sharing of ₦1.818 trillion June revenue.
The reformed scholarship programme is expected to have several positive impacts on students. Greater financial support will help students cope with rising education costs. The increased opportunities for students in STEMM and medical fields, which are critical for Nigeria’s economic and technological advancement, will be a significant boost. The reform also promotes more inclusive access across all levels of higher education, thus fostering equity. Lastly, the larger awards are expected to enhance motivation, encouraging academic excellence and commitment.
- The Federal Government's revised scholarship programme aims to strengthen Nigeria's scientific and healthcare capacity, particularly in the STEMM fields, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
- The reformed scholarship programme, covering the Nigerian Scholarship Award, the Education Bursary Award, and the restructured BEA scheme, offers increased grant amounts across all academic levels, including a ₦150,000 annual increase for undergraduate students, ₦200,000 for Master's students, and ₦250,000 for PhD students.
- To promote fairness and impact, undergraduate students now account for 50% of all slots, while Master's candidates receive 25% and PhD candidates receive the remaining 25%. Additionally, 70% of the awards are allocated to STEMM fields, with the remaining 30% for Social Sciences and Humanities.
- New scholarship categories have been introduced, offering ₦1 billion each for students enrolled in STEM and vocational programmes in public polytechnics, and another ₦1 billion for students studying medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and physiotherapy in public universities.
- The reformed scholarship programme, expected to benefit over 15,000 students in the 2025-2026 academic cycle, will also reserve 5% of the entire scholarship pool for students living with disabilities, making education more accessible and equitable for all.
