The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially announced the cancellation of its long-standing foreign scholarship scheme, citing economic constraints and the urgent need to redirect funding toward revitalizing the country’s domestic education sector.
The announcement, made by the Federal Ministry of Education through the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB), confirms that the government will no longer sponsor new candidates for undergraduate or postgraduate studies abroad under its foreign scholarship framework. Instead, it will focus its limited resources on strengthening local institutions and expanding in-country scholarship opportunities.
A senior official of the Ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the decision was reached after a comprehensive audit of the programme revealed rising costs, limited returns on investment, and growing concerns over accountability and sustainability. “While we recognize the value of international exposure, we must be realistic about our current financial capacity and national priorities. The emphasis now is on improving local education infrastructure and ensuring quality teaching and learning across Nigerian universities and colleges,” the official said.
The cancellation affects several bilateral and multilateral agreements that allowed Nigerian students to study in countries such as Russia, China, Hungary, and the United Kingdom through government sponsorship. Existing beneficiaries currently undergoing their studies abroad will, however, continue to receive support until the completion of their programmes.
This development comes amid wider economic reforms being implemented by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has consistently called for prudent fiscal management and a shift toward homegrown solutions in tackling national challenges. With inflation on the rise and the naira under pressure, stakeholders in the education sector say the policy shift is timely, if difficult.
Reacting to the news, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) welcomed the redirection of funds but stressed the need for transparency and seriousness in reinvesting the recovered resources into Nigeria’s ailing tertiary institutions. “It is not enough to cancel the foreign scholarship scheme. The real question is: will the funds truly be used to fix our universities, enhance research, and retain academic talent at home?” an ASUU spokesperson queried.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) expressed mixed feelings over the decision, urging the government to provide clear alternatives for high-achieving students who previously relied on scholarships to pursue specialized fields not readily available in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to roll out a revised scholarship framework that prioritizes local postgraduate studies, research funding, and skills development through technical and vocational education.
As Nigeria grapples with economic realities, the end of the foreign scholarship era signals a pivot toward educational self-reliance—one that may redefine the landscape of higher learning for future generations.
