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Federal Government Increases Scholarship Grants By 50% For Graduates, Undergraduates

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The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that it has increased scholarship grants to Nigerian students at all tertiary levels by 50 per cent.

It described the move as the “landmark reform of Nigeria’s national scholarship programme—its most ambitious overhaul in more than a decade,” aimed at reducing financial pressure on students and families and improving access to quality education nationwide.

The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, made the announcement in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, explaining that the initiative aligns with the government’s strong commitment to building a more inclusive, knowledge-based society.

Alausa stated, “Through the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Government has significantly increased scholarship grants across all academic levels, easing the financial burden on students and families, while enhancing access to quality education for all. This initiative is a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education at the heart of Nigeria’s transformation into a $1 trillion economy.

“To tackle the rising costs of education and to ensure that no deserving student is left behind, scholarship amounts have been increased by 50 per cent across the board. PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually (up from ₦500,000), Master’s students ₦600,000 (from ₦400,000), and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students ₦450,000 (up from ₦300,000).”

He said the updated programme focuses on merit, equity, and alignment with national development goals, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medical Sciences (STEMM), and vocational training.

He continued, “These enhanced awards apply to all major programmes, including the Nigerian Scholarship Award. As earlier pledged, we have also restructured the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme.

“While existing beneficiaries will continue to receive their entitlements, funds previously earmarked for new international awards have been repurposed to introduce two new strategic scholarship categories under the national programme. The first targets students in public polytechnics pursuing STEM and vocational training, with ₦1 billion allocated to this group.

“The second is tailored for students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities, also supported with ₦1 billion. These new categories reflect our commitment to investing in high-impact sectors critical to national development.”

He said the government has adopted a new allocation model designed to promote fairness and maximise results.

According to him, the new structure allocates 50 per cent of scholarships to undergraduate students, 25 per cent to Master’s students, and 25 per cent to PhD candidates.

“Of each category, 70 per cent of awards will support students in STEMM disciplines, while 30 per cent will support the Social Sciences. In a deliberate move to foster inclusion, five per cent of all scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities,” he said.

He revealed that more than 15,000 students are projected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, and the revamped BEA programme.

He said implementation will be managed by the Federal Scholarship Board, working alongside an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

Alausa added, “This committee includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key institutions to ensure transparency and accountability. With a total budget of ₦6 billion allocated for the 2025–2026 cycle, this reform is more than a policy—it is a bold national investment in our youth, our future, and our collective prosperity.

“We are not just funding education—we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success. I remain fully committed to ensuring this renewed scholarship programme delivers on its promise, and I call on all stakeholders—students, parents, institutions, and the broader public—to work with us in realising the full potential of this transformative initiative.”

BIG STORY

Non-Oil Sector Accounted For N15.69 trn Of N20.59 trn Revenue Generated In Eight Months — Presidency

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The Presidency has announced that non-oil sectors contributed ₦15.69 trillion, accounting for three out of every four naira collected by the government between January and August 2025, signaling a major shift away from oil dependence.

According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, total government revenue during the eight-month period amounted to ₦20.59 trillion—a 40.5% increase from the ₦14.6 trillion collected in the same period in 2024 .

The sharp rise in non-oil earnings reflects a combination of fiscal reforms, enhanced compliance, and digitised tax administration, including customs automation and broader enforcement measures .

Customs collections alone tallied ₦3.68 trillion in the first half of 2025, exceeding the target by ₦390 billion and accounting for 56% of the full-year goal .

This fiscal strength has translated into historic FAAC disbursements: for the first time, monthly allocations to states and local governments surpassed ₦2 trillion in July—funds critical for supporting food security, infrastructure, and social services .

Significantly, the Presidency also confirmed that the federal government has not borrowed from domestic banks in 2025, a notable departure from prior reliance on local borrowing .

While the gains are substantial, officials acknowledge that revenue still falls short of the government’s spending goals for education, health, and infrastructure, and urged continued efforts to bridge the gap .

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BIG STORY

I Have To Create State Police, We’ll Defeat Insecurity — Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu says the establishment of state police has become inevitable as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Speaking at the presidential villa on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of prominent Katsina citizens led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu said his administration would adopt decentralised policing to strengthen security at the grassroots.

The president directed security agencies to review their operations in Katsina following renewed banditry in the state and announced the deployment of advanced military hardware, including drones and surveillance equipment.

“The security challenges that we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders. We inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier. It is a challenge that we must fix, and we are facing it,” Tinubu said.

“I have today directed all the security agencies to energise further and look at the strategies. We have approved the additional acquisition of drones. I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity.”

Tinubu added that the federal government is considering upgrading the recently deployed forest guards in Katsina into a more structured force.

Buhari’s Legacy

The president also assured the delegation that his administration would preserve the legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“He didn’t hand over a defeated country, a battered political structure, but a legacy of success, and that is the most important thing,” he said.

“We just have to continue praying that Almighty Allah should grant him Aljannah Firdausi and give the rest of us the ability to stand very strong and push Nigeria forward.”

Katsina’s Demands

Governor Radda thanked Tinubu for his continued support to the state, noting that Katsina needs more security interventions, youth empowerment, and infrastructure.

Former Governor Aminu Masari commended Tinubu for honouring Buhari with a “true state funeral,” while Ibrahim Ida, the Wazirin Katsina, called for the upgrade of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport and greater security focus on southern Katsina.

The move towards state policing follows earlier steps by the federal government. On February 15, 2024, a committee was inaugurated to explore its creation. Vice-President Kashim Shettima later confirmed that all 36 states had supported the initiative, though 20 were yet to submit reports.

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Lagos Police PRO Hundeyin Appointed New Force Spokesman

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The Nigeria Police Force has appointed Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).

Hundeyin takes over from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Muyiwa Adejobi, who has been redeployed to Delta State Police Command as deputy commissioner in charge of operations following his promotion.

Police authorities described the appointments as part of routine administrative adjustments aimed at career progression and manpower optimisation, stressing that the changes are neither punitive nor controversial.

Profile of the new FPRO

CSP Hundeyin holds a degree in English Language from Lagos State University and a master’s degree in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan.

He has undergone specialised training in Civil-Military Coordination at the Nigerian Army Leadership Institute, Jaji, and is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), International Public Relations Association, and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN).

Hundeyin also served with the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), gaining experience in peacekeeping and crisis communication.

Appointed Lagos police spokesperson in March 2022, he has since been recognised for proactive engagement with the public and media.

New national assignment

As Force PRO, Hundeyin is expected to spearhead the police’s national communication strategy, improve crisis management, and strengthen transparency and public trust through strategic messaging.

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