The Nigerian government has officially increased scholarship grants by 50% for the 2025/2026 academic cycle.
The development means undergraduates, postgraduates, and NCE/HND students will now receive higher funding to help ease the rising cost of education.
The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, announced the new upgrade through the ministry’s official X (Twitter) handle, explaining that the initiative is part of a major reform of the National Scholarship Programme aimed at supporting youth development and reducing financial strain on students.
The increment apply to all major scholarship programmes, including the Nigerian Scholarship Award.
Under the revised scholarship structure, students will now receive significantly higher annual grants.
Benefits
Postgraduates students: ₦750,000 (previously ₦500,000)
Master’s students: ₦600,000 (previously ₦400,000)
Undergraduates, HND & NCE students: ₦450,000 (previously ₦300,000)
The total budget for the 2025–2026 scholarship cycle is ₦6 billion, with the government targeting over 15,000 beneficiaries nationwide.
According to the minister, this initiative is Nigeria’s most extensive scholarship reform in over 10 years, providing:
Higher funding to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for students.
Support for priority sectors to meet the nation’s workforce needs.
Inclusive opportunities for undergraduates, postgraduates, and vocational learners
The government is aligning scholarships with Nigeria’s long-term economic goals by prioritizing:
STEM Fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences.
Vocational and Technical Training: To equip students with future-ready skills.
Additionally, two new scholarship categories have been introduced under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) restructuring to focus on merit, equity, and development relevance.
Requirement
To be considered for the scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
– All undergraduate Scholarship applicants (Physically challenged inclusive) must have at least a 4.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on a five (5) point scale or its equivalent or 5.0 on a 7 point scale.
– Applicants for Postgraduate studies should possess a minimum of a first degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division.
– Applicant must be a registered Full-Time student of Federal or State Universities.
– All other applicants (Undergraduate, HND & NCE) must be registered full-time students in their second year or above in Federal or State Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Colleges of Education.
– All NCE and HND applicants must have a CGPA of 3.5 and above on a scale of 4.0
– Documents required are your letter of admission and proof of CGPA.
The Federal Government’s new scholarship structure is a big relief for students across Nigeria, ensuring that financial constraints do not block access to quality education.
With ₦450K–₦750K grants now available, students in STEM and vocational programs stand to benefit the most, while the expanded BEA scheme creates more opportunities than ever.
For more information on how to apply, CLICK HERE
Enquiries can be directed to; fsb@education.gov.ng or 08077884418/08091155229
