Federal Government Elevates Scholarship Grants by 50%

In what has been described as the most significant overhaul in over a decade, Nigeria’s Federal Government announced a sweeping 50% increase in scholarship grants across all academic levels on July 30, 2025. The update was confirmed by Education Minister Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

New Annual Scholarship Rates

PhD candidates: ₦750,000 (was ₦500,000)
Master’s students: ₦600,000 (was ₦400,000)
Undergraduate, HND, and NCE students: ₦450,000 (was ₦300,000)
These grants apply to key schemes such as the Nigerian Scholarship Award, the Education Bursary Award, and the restructured Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) programme.

Targeted Reforms & Inclusion Drive

Funds originally earmarked for new international scholarships under the BEA were redirected to two strategic domestic categories:
- ₦1 billion for STEM and vocational students in public polytechnics.
- ₦1 billion for students in medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and physiotherapy at public universities.
A revised allocation framework ensures equity and impact:
- 50% of scholarships reserved for undergraduates,
- 25% each for Master’s and PhD candidates.
- Field allocation: 70% STEMM, 30% Social Sciences.
- 5% of scholarships set aside for students with disabilities.

Bigger Vision, Bigger Questions

While the reform is heralded as transformative, many critics argue it may fall short given Nigeria’s skyrocketing education costs:

Tuition inflation in universities and colleges is outpacing the new rates, leaving many students still underfunded.
The exclusion of fresh international awardees under BEA has sparked questions about the government’s long-term plans for global academic exposure.

Why This Matters

Youth Empowerment Meets Economic Policy
Education is central to the nation's drive toward becoming a trillion-dollar economy, placing these scholarship reforms at the heart of national development planning.
Who Actually Benefits?
Although over 15,000 students are set to benefit, transparency in award distribution remains crucial to public trust.
Political Timing under Scrutiny
Coming mid-term of Tinubu’s presidency and just before election season, the reform may be viewed by skeptics as a political gesture to raise popularity ahead of election cycles.