The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked as false and misleading a purported statement circulating on social media alleging the suspension of the National Award Scholarship and the dissolution of the Federal Scholarship Board.
The Ministry categorically states that no such directive or policy decision has been issued by the Federal Ministry of Education or any of its authorised departments. It further clarified that the Federal Scholarship Board has been renamed the Department of Scholarship Awards (DSA), which now operates as one of the Departments under the Federal Ministry of Education. Although the nomenclature has changed, its mandates and responsibilities regarding the administration of Federal Government scholarship programmes remain unchanged and fully operational.
The Ministry therefore reassures students, parents, scholarship beneficiaries, and the general public that all recognised scholarship programmes under the Federal Ministry of Education remain active without interruption.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry clarified that the only recent policy decision regarding scholarship restructuring was the discontinuation of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme following a policy review aimed at strengthening investment in local tertiary institutions and expanding educational opportunities within Nigeria.
As earlier communicated by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa CON, the discontinuation of the BEA Programme does not affect other domestic scholarship initiatives of the Federal Government, including the Nigerian Scholarship Awards for students in Public Tertiary Institutions, the Federal Government Bursary for Education students, and the Presidential Scholarship for former NYSC Corps Members.
The Ministry further reiterated that existing beneficiaries under the BEA Programme will continue to enjoy full government support until the completion of their studies, while local scholarship opportunities and the Nigerian Student Loan Programme are being strengthened to support more students nationwide.
The public is urged to disregard the fake notice in its entirety, as it did not emanate from the Federal Ministry of Education or the Department of Scholarship Awards (DSA). The dissemination of false and unverified information to mischievously create confusion and unnecessary anxiety among students and families is irresponsible and condemnable.
Members of the public, educational stakeholders, and media organisations are advised to rely only on verified information released through the official communication channels of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to promoting equitable access to quality education through scholarships, student support initiatives, and other intervention programmes designed to support the academic and professional development of Nigerian students.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
