I checked the current Federal Ministry of Education information and also verified the existing pages on WealthInfo so the internal links below point only to pages that currently exist on wealthinfo.com.ng. The Federal Scholarship Board currently identifies four main divisions: Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA), Nigerian Awards, Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan, and General Duties. (FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION)

For the article, I would avoid presenting every international opportunity as a permanent “Federal Government scholarship,” because some are scholarships offered by foreign governments or institutions and merely publicized/managed through Nigeria’s Federal Scholarship Board. (FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION)

Federal Government Scholarship Programs in Nigeria

Getting quality education in Nigeria can be expensive, especially for students who have to pay tuition, accommodation, textbooks, transportation and other academic expenses. Fortunately, the Federal Government of Nigeria provides scholarship and education support opportunities for qualified Nigerian students through the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) under the Federal Ministry of Education.

These scholarship programs cover different levels of education and, depending on the scheme, may support undergraduate, master’s and PhD studies. Some opportunities also allow qualified Nigerian students to study outside Nigeria.

The Federal Scholarship Board is responsible for implementing federal government policies on local and foreign scholarship awards and coordinating major schemes including the Nigerian Awards, Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA), and Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan.

If you are looking for Federal Government scholarship programs in Nigeria, here are the major schemes you should know about.

1. Nigerian Scholarship Award

The Nigerian Scholarship Award is one of the major scholarship schemes administered by the Federal Scholarship Board.

It is designed to provide financial support to eligible Nigerian students studying in recognised tertiary institutions. The scheme covers different academic levels, including undergraduate, master’s and PhD programmes.

The Federal Government has also revised the scholarship grants across education levels. According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the revised Nigerian Scholarship Award includes increased grants for undergraduate, master’s and PhD students, with additional emphasis on areas such as STEMM and medical-related disciplines.

Students interested in this opportunity should regularly check official Federal Scholarship Board announcements because application requirements, dates and available categories can change from one academic session to another.

2. Education Bursary Award

Another federal education-support scheme is the Education Bursary Award.

The bursary is intended to provide financial assistance to eligible Nigerian students at different levels of education. The Federal Ministry of Education’s revised scholarship framework includes awards for undergraduate, master’s, PhD and certain other categories.

Applicants should carefully read the official requirements before submitting an application because eligibility can depend on the academic level, course of study and other conditions specified for the particular application cycle.

3. Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship

The Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship provides opportunities for qualified Nigerians to pursue studies in countries with which Nigeria has relevant education agreements.

Depending on the particular year and available slots, undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities may be announced for different countries.

For example, the Federal Ministry of Education’s 2025/2026 BEA announcement included undergraduate opportunities in countries such as Russia, Morocco, Hungary, Egypt and Algeria, while postgraduate opportunities included countries such as Russia, China, Hungary, Serbia and Romania.

BEA scholarship requirements are usually specific to the academic level. Previous federal guidelines, for example, included academic-performance requirements for undergraduate applicants and degree classification and NYSC requirements for postgraduate applicants. Applicants should therefore rely on the current announcement rather than old eligibility information.

4. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is another important scholarship opportunity administered through the Federal Scholarship Board.

It provides opportunities for eligible Nigerians to pursue postgraduate study and fellowship opportunities through the Commonwealth scholarship system.

For the 2026/2027 cycle, the Federal Ministry of Education published an announcement for Nigerian applicants and provided separate application information for master’s and PhD candidates. The application period for that cycle ran in 2025, illustrating why applicants should monitor announcements well ahead of the academic year they intend to enter.

Commonwealth opportunities can be highly competitive, and applicants should carefully check academic, admission and documentation requirements before applying.

5. Foreign Government Scholarships Advertised Through the Federal Scholarship Board

The Federal Scholarship Board also publishes information about scholarship opportunities offered by foreign governments and institutions.

This is an important distinction: not every scholarship advertised by the Federal Ministry of Education is directly funded by the Nigerian Federal Government.

For example, the Ministry has published information about scholarship opportunities from countries such as Morocco and Serbia. The terms of those programmes can differ considerably. Some may cover tuition and provide a stipend, while selected candidates may still be responsible for expenses such as airfare, accommodation or feeding.

Therefore, applicants should always read the specific scholarship announcement before assuming that an opportunity is fully funded.

6. Special Scholarship Opportunities

The Federal Scholarship Board also implements or coordinates special scholarship programmes. Its stated responsibilities include the Presidential Special Scholarship for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) and the NYSC Ex-Corps Scholarship, among other scholarship and fellowship responsibilities.

Special programmes may have different eligibility criteria, fields of study and application procedures. Students should therefore look for the official announcement for the particular programme they want to apply for.

How to Apply for Federal Government Scholarships in Nigeria

The application process depends on the specific scholarship programme, but applicants should generally follow these steps:

Step 1: Check the official announcement

Do not rely solely on social media posts or forwarded WhatsApp messages. Look for the scholarship announcement from the Federal Ministry of Education or Federal Scholarship Board.

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility

Check the required:

Academic qualifications
Age requirements
Course or field of study
Degree classification
NYSC status, where applicable
Admission requirements
Required certificates and documents

Requirements differ between scholarship programmes.

Step 3: Prepare your documents

Depending on the programme, you may need documents such as:

WAEC or equivalent certificate
Academic transcripts
Degree certificate
NYSC discharge or exemption certificate
Admission letter
Identification documents
Passport photographs
Recommendation or supporting documents

Only upload documents specifically requested by the scholarship announcement.

Step 4: Complete the application online

Where an online application portal is provided, complete the form carefully and ensure that your information matches your academic documents.

Avoid submitting false information or multiple applications where the programme prohibits it.

Step 5: Print or save your application details

Some Federal Scholarship Board programmes require applicants to print their completed application forms or retain evidence of submission. Keep copies of your application and supporting documents for your records.

Step 6: Monitor screening and interview announcements

Some scholarship programmes involve screening, verification, interviews or nomination exercises. The Federal Scholarship Board has, for example, published screening and nomination interview information for Commonwealth scholarship candidates.

How Much Does the Federal Government Scholarship Pay?

The amount varies according to the scholarship programme and academic level.

The Federal Ministry of Education’s revised scholarship framework lists increased awards for several categories. For example, the revised Nigerian Scholarship Award and Education Bursary Award include ₦450,000 for undergraduate students, ₦600,000 for master’s students and ₦750,000 for PhD students under the categories specified by the Ministry. Other categories, including certain vocational and professional programmes, also have specified revised amounts.

However, applicants should not assume that every Federal Government scholarship pays the same amount. International scholarships can have completely different benefits, depending on the sponsoring government or institution.

Important Tips for Nigerian Scholarship Applicants

Apply early

Some scholarship opportunities have short application windows. Start preparing your documents before applications open.

Use official sources

Scholarship scams are common. Always verify the scholarship through the relevant government ministry, scholarship board, university or sponsoring organisation.

Never assume a scholarship is fully funded

Read the terms carefully. Some programmes cover tuition but leave the applicant responsible for airfare, accommodation, feeding or other costs.

Keep your academic documents ready

Having your certificates, transcripts and other documents available can make the application process much easier.

Be careful with agents

A genuine scholarship application does not automatically require you to pay someone to “secure” the scholarship for you. Where an official application is free, applicants should be particularly cautious about people requesting payment in exchange for guaranteed selection.

Federal Government Scholarship Programs in Nigeria: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Federal Government of Nigeria offering scholarships?

Yes. The Federal Scholarship Board under the Federal Ministry of Education implements federal government scholarship and fellowship programmes for eligible Nigerian students. Its programmes include Nigerian Awards, BEA and Commonwealth-related scholarship responsibilities.

Can undergraduate students apply for federal scholarships?

Yes. Undergraduate students are eligible for some federal scholarship schemes, including applicable Nigerian Award and BEA opportunities. Eligibility requirements depend on the specific programme and application year.

Can postgraduate students apply?

Yes. Master’s and PhD opportunities are available under several scholarship schemes, including relevant Nigerian Award, BEA and Commonwealth opportunities.

Can I study outside Nigeria with a Federal Government scholarship?

Yes. Certain programmes administered through the Federal Scholarship Board provide opportunities for Nigerians to study abroad. BEA scholarships, for example, have included undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities in several foreign countries.

Where can I find scholarship updates?

Applicants should regularly check the Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Scholarship Board for new announcements, deadlines and eligibility requirements.

You can also follow the Scholarship/Programmes section on WealthInfo for scholarship-related information and updates.

Recommended Website Platform for Nigerians

Students and young Nigerians who are interested in opportunities beyond scholarships may also explore NetContacts Nigeria.

NetContacts describes itself as an online business and empowerment platform that provides referral, social-media task and promotional opportunities. Its website currently lists free and paid membership options as well as social-media-related services.

Anyone considering an online earning platform should read its terms carefully, understand how payments and membership work, and make an informed decision before paying any activation or membership fee.

Conclusion

Federal Government scholarship programmes can provide valuable financial and educational opportunities for Nigerian students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Major schemes administered or coordinated by the Federal Scholarship Board include the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA), Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, and special scholarship programmes.

Because scholarship requirements, available countries, award amounts and application deadlines can change, applicants should always verify the latest announcement before applying.

For more opportunities, you can also explore WealthInfo’s Scholarship/Programmes section and its guide on how to make money in Nigeria as a student.

Byinfo@wealthinfo.com.ng