The Federal Government Scholarship, run by the Federal Ministry of Education through the Federal Scholarship Board, is one of the few government awards open to Nigerian students at home and abroad. There are two main arms: the Nigerian Award (NA) for students in Nigerian institutions, and the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) that sends selected Nigerians to partner countries under government-to-government deals. Knowing which arm fits you saves a lot of wasted effort.
Apply on the official page: Federal Scholarship Board portal (scholarship.education.gov.ng). This is the only official place to apply; ignore any other “portal” sent on WhatsApp.
Quick summary
| Funder | Federal Ministry of Education, through the Federal Scholarship Board |
|---|---|
| Two arms | Nigerian Award (study in Nigeria) and Bilateral Education Agreement (study abroad) |
| Study level | Undergraduate for NA; mostly undergraduate and postgraduate for BEA |
| Who it suits | Nigerian students with strong results who follow the official call |
| Official page | scholarship.education.gov.ng |
What the scholarship offers
The support depends on the arm. The Nigerian Award is a grant paid to students studying in Nigerian tertiary institutions to help with the cost of their studies. The Bilateral Education Agreement is more substantial: selected students study in a partner country under an agreement between Nigeria and that country, with tuition and an allowance typically handled under the deal. BEA places are limited and allocated by field, so competition is real.
Are you eligible?
- You are a Nigerian citizen with the certificates and results the call asks for.
- For the Nigerian Award, you are a full-time student in a recognised Nigerian institution, usually past your first year.
- For BEA, you meet the age and academic rules, which lean towards sciences, technology and similar priority fields.
- You apply during the official call for applications, which the Board announces each cycle.
How to apply, step by step
- Wait for the official call, then open the Federal Scholarship Board portal and read the current requirements for your arm.
- Register, complete the form accurately, and use details that match your certificates exactly.
- Upload the stated documents: results, birth certificate or declaration of age, local government identification and passport photo.
- Submit, print your confirmation, and watch the Board’s announcements for the qualifying test or interview.
Government funding is competitive, so it helps to apply to more than one scheme. Two other fully funded government routes Nigerians use are the PTDF Overseas Scholarship and the Commonwealth Scholarship.
Choosing between the NA and BEA arms
The first real decision is which arm to target, because applying to the wrong one wastes effort. The Nigerian Award supports you while you study inside a Nigerian institution, so it fits students already past their first year who want help with the cost of a degree at home. The Bilateral Education Agreement is a different path entirely: it sends selected Nigerians to study in a partner country under a government-to-government deal, with places limited and allocated by field. If your results are strong and you are open to studying abroad in a priority area like science or technology, BEA is worth the competition. If you want to stay and study in Nigeria, the NA is your route. Read the current call and apply to the arm that genuinely matches your plan.
How to prepare a strong application
Start by reading the current call to the end so you apply to the right arm and meet every stated requirement. Enter details that match your certificates exactly, because a mismatch between your form and your results is one of the easiest ways to be disqualified. Prepare clean scans of your results, birth certificate or declaration of age, local government identification and passport photograph before you begin, then apply in the first days of the call rather than the last, when the portal is slowest. Keep your confirmation slip safe and watch the Board announcements for the qualifying test or interview, which is where shortlisted candidates are sorted.
Related guides
- PTDF In-Country Scholarship 2026/27: Official Status and Eligibility
- NNPC/Chevron Scholarship: Official 2026 Status and Guide
- Chevening Scholarship for Nigerians: 2027/28 Official Application Guide
- Federal Government Scholarship 2026 Official Preparation Guide
Government scholarships are competitive, so accuracy and timing decide a lot. Wait for the official call on the Federal Scholarship Board portal, then enter details that match your certificates exactly, because a mismatch between your results and your form is an easy disqualifier. Prepare clean scans of your results, birth certificate or declaration of age, local government identification, and passport photo ahead of time. Apply early, print your confirmation, and watch for the qualifying test or interview, which is where shortlisted candidates are sorted. Apply to more than one scheme, such as PTDF or Commonwealth, and never pay anyone who claims to secure a slot, since the application is free.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NA and BEA? NA supports study inside Nigeria; BEA sends selected students abroad under a country-to-country agreement.
Is there a selection test? The Board often holds a qualifying examination or interview for shortlisted candidates. Check the current call for the exact process.
Does it cost money to apply? No. The application is free. Do not pay anyone promising to “secure” a slot for you.
Source: Federal Scholarship Board, Federal Ministry of Education. Confirm the current call, arms and requirements on the official portal before applying.
Reviewed by Miles Obi, Careers and Scholarships Editor at Jobviza.
You may also like: Ojah STEM Scholarship: Official 2026 Status
Discover more from Jobviza
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
