Increases in scholarship grants expected to boost research

Nigeria’s federal government reforms to expand scholarship grants for tertiary education students have been hailed by academic and professional bodies as a long-term investment in human capital, with the potential to boost research, healthcare training and technical skills development.

The reforms, announced recently by Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the minister of education, represent the biggest overhaul of the national scholarship programme in more than a decade.

PhD students will now receive NGN750,000 annually (about US$489) (up from NGN500,000), masters students NGN600,000 (up from NGN400,000), while undergraduates, Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Certificate of Education (NCE) students will get NGN450,000 (up from NGN300,000).

New categories have also been introduced: NGN1 billion has been allocated to students in public polytechnics pursuing science, technology, engineering, maths and vocational training, and another NGN1 billion to those studying medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and physiotherapy in public universities.

Strategic shift in allocation

Under the revised framework, 50% of awards will go to undergraduates, 25% to masters students and 25% to PhD candidates. Within each group, 70% of scholarships will be reserved for science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine, or STEMM, and 30% for social sciences. For the first time, 5% of all scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities.

The government says the reforms will benefit about 15,000 students under the Nigerian Scholarship Award, the Education Bursary Award and the restructured Bilateral Education Agreement scheme. A total of NGN6 billion has been approved for the 2025-26 cycle.

The changes align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of easing students’ financial pressures and investing in the skills needed to transform Nigeria into a US$1 trillion economy, according to Alausa.

Support and cautions

Dr Victor Modekwe, chair of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, said the funding increase would directly improve the quality of medical education by reducing student dropout rates, improving access to instructional materials and supporting better nutrition.

“A well-fed student will learn better. Technology and ICT’s role in learning will also be enhanced – students will be able to use the internet, AI and videos to supplement their training,” he explained to University World News.

But Modekwe warned that the scheme would have “little or no impact” on retaining medical professionals unless wider reforms tackle poor pay, inadequate work environments and systemic economic challenges.

“The increased scholarship may just help to produce more graduates, most of whom will be drained away,” he said.

Strengthening research and innovation

Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola, public affairs secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science and professor of pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Ibadan, described the reforms as “highly commendable”.

“This increase will provide a strong boost to research and development in STEMM disciplines, helping to drive innovation in critical sectors,” she told University World News.

Targeted funding for medical disciplines, she added, would strengthen health outcomes and create stronger pathways for translating academic research into practical solutions such as drug discovery, healthcare technology and diagnostics.

Babalola urged fairness, equity and accountability in implementation, with measurable targets and monitoring systems to ensure results. However, she stressed that scholarships, alone, cannot curb brain drain without reforms to pay, infrastructure and career opportunities.

Complementing existing support

Abdulmumin Oniyangi, acting director of public affairs at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, or TETFund, said the increase complements existing research support schemes and could stimulate greater productivity among scholars.

“Every year, we place adverts for research grants. The increase will go a long way for growth and productivity in the 2025 calls,” he told University World News.

Engineer Suleiman M Yusuf, director of vocational, technical and skills development at the National Board for Technical Education, said the initiative would boost enrolment in STEM fields but would not directly alter the curriculum, which relies heavily on industry input through the Sector Skills Council.

A broader approach needed

Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji, the vice-chancellor of the African School of Economics (Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, described the reforms as “remarkable and commendable”, but argued that scholarships should be part of a broader higher education strategy.

He said a comprehensive approach should be built on five ‘Cs’: competence, critical infrastructure, commitment, collaboration and creativity.

“Government should ensure students’ competence through lecturer incentives, adequate infrastructure and collaboration, fostering an environment of trust and creativity,” he said. This, he added, could reduce the need for Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad.