The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a 50 percent increase in scholarship grants under the reformed National Scholarship Programme.
The ministry said it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Under the new rates, PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 per year, up from ₦500,000; Master’s students will get ₦600,000 annually, up from ₦400,000; and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students will receive ₦450,000 per year, up from ₦300,000.
The programme also introduces new funds aimed at specialised fields: ₦1 billion has been earmarked for STEMM and vocational students in polytechnics, while another ₦1 billion will support medical and allied health students in public universities.
Scholarship allocations will be distributed with 50 percent for undergraduates, 25 percent for Master’s students, and 25 percent for PhD candidates, with 70 percent of the funds reserved for STEMM fields and 30 percent for social sciences.
Additionally, five percent of the scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities.
Over 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the 2025–2026 awards, with a ₦6 billion budget overseen by the Federal Scholarship Board and an Inter-Ministerial Committee.
The reforms aim to promote inclusivity, merit-based access, and human capital development across Nigeria’s education sector.
