The Federal Government on July 30, 2025, announced a 50% increase in scholarship grants for graduates and undergraduates, raising the monthly stipend from ₦50,000 to ₦75,000, effective August 1.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa unveiled the policy during a stakeholders’ meeting, targeting 100,000 students under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), established in 2024. The hike aims to address a 33.4% inflation rate and support 1.5 million tertiary students, with ₦150 billion allocated for 2025, up from ₦100 billion.
The initiative follows criticism of underfunding, with universities receiving only 7% of the 15% Abuja Declaration target. Beneficiaries, including 20,000 new graduates, welcomed the move, but the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) called for broader infrastructure investment.
The narrative of educational support is promising, but its impact may be limited by administrative delays and the fund’s capacity to scale, requiring sustained fiscal commitment.