The Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria has officially refuted social media claims suggesting the suspension of the National Award Scholarship Programme and the dissolution of the Federal Scholarship Board. In a statement released on Friday, May 29, the ministry labeled these reports as false and urged students, parents, and scholarship beneficiaries to disregard the misinformation.
Clarification on Scholarship Programme Status
The ministry emphasized that no directive has been issued to halt any recognized federal government scholarship scheme. It clarified that the entity formerly known as the Federal Scholarship Board has merely been renamed and now operates as the Department of Scholarship Awards under the ministry's purview. This restructuring does not affect the department's responsibilities or the continuity of scholarship administration and support services for eligible beneficiaries.
Continuation of Local Scholarship Programmes
Officials reassured the public that existing local scholarship programmes remain active and that beneficiaries will continue to receive support under approved schemes. The clarification came after an online statement sparked concerns about major changes to government scholarship initiatives.
Discontinuation of Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship
The ministry confirmed that only the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme has been discontinued following a policy review. This decision was made to strengthen Nigeria's tertiary education system and redirect resources toward local academic development. Importantly, the development does not affect other programmes, including the Nigerian Scholarship Awards, the Federal Government Bursary for Education students, and the Presidential Scholarship for former National Youth Service Corps members.
Support for Existing BEA Beneficiaries
Students already benefiting from the Bilateral Education Agreement scheme will continue to receive full government support until they complete their studies. The ministry reiterated its commitment to expanding access to education through scholarships and other support initiatives.
Call for Reliance on Official Channels
The ministry condemned the spread of misinformation and urged the public to rely on official communication channels for updates on education policies and scholarship programmes. It stated that false information capable of causing confusion among students and families should be disregarded. The ministry also disclosed ongoing efforts to improve local scholarship opportunities and strengthen student loan programmes across the country.
Application for Foreign Master's Postgraduate Scholarship
In related news, the federal government has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 to 2027 Foreign Master's Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, targeting young people from the Niger Delta. The programme is implemented through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and aims to build advanced skills among beneficiaries. The commission shared the application process on its official X platform.
