Scholarships / Financial Aid

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the World Bank, has commenced implementation of a $500 million reform programme aimed at strengthening basic education and primary healthcare delivery across the country. The initiative, known as the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity–Governance (HOPE-GOV) programme, is designed to address long-standing weaknesses in financial management, human resource planning, and service delivery at both federal and state levels.

The formal rollout of the programme was confirmed on Tuesday in Abuja by the HOPE-GOV National Coordinator, Assad Hassan, during a briefing with the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh. According to Hassan, the programme represents a major shift toward performance-driven public sector reform, with funding directly linked to measurable outcomes in education and healthcare.

HOPE-GOV is structured as a results-based intervention, meaning that participating states must meet clearly defined targets before accessing funds. The approach is intended to improve accountability, strengthen governance systems, and ensure that public spending translates into tangible improvements in classrooms and primary healthcare centres.

How the programme is structured

Hassan explained that the $500 million World Bank–assisted facility is divided into two complementary components. The first is a Programme-for-Results (PforR) window, while the second is an Investment Project Financing (IPF) component.

Out of the total envelope, $480 million has been earmarked under the PforR framework to incentivise states that meet agreed Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs) in basic education and primary healthcare. These results include improvements in budget transparency, timely release and utilisation of funds, recruitment and retention of frontline workers such as teachers and health personnel, and stronger reporting and audit systems.

The remaining $20 million, provided through the IPF component, will fund programme coordination, monitoring, independent verification, capacity building, and technical assistance to both federal and state institutions. Hassan noted that this support component is critical to ensuring the credibility and sustainability of the reforms.

Institutions driving implementation

Implementation of HOPE-GOV cuts across multiple levels of government and institutions. At the state level, governments are responsible for executing reforms and meeting agreed performance indicators. At the federal level, key implementing bodies include the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Ministerial Oversight Committee of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund housed within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The multi-institutional structure reflects the programme’s focus on systemic reform rather than isolated interventions, ensuring that improvements in education and healthcare are supported by stronger planning, budgeting, and governance frameworks.

Why HOPE-GOV matters

Nigeria continues to face severe human capital deficits. The country has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, while many primary healthcare centres remain understaffed, poorly equipped, and underfunded. Programme officials note that these challenges are compounded by weak public financial management systems at the sub-national level, including delayed audits, poor expenditure tracking, and inadequate data for decision-making.

Although statutory funding mechanisms such as the Universal Basic Education Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund exist, many states struggle to access or fully utilise these resources due to counterpart funding gaps and weak planning capacity. HOPE-GOV seeks to break this cycle by encouraging states to invest upfront in reforms and then rewarding performance with additional funding.

Under the Programme-for-Results model, states that demonstrate progress against agreed indicators receive incentive payments, which can then be reinvested to further strengthen service delivery. This creates what officials describe as a virtuous cycle of reform, accountability, and reinvestment.

Timeline and approvals

Hassan provided additional context on the programme’s journey to implementation. The World Bank approved the HOPE-GOV Programme on September 26, 2024, following negotiations concluded in August of that year. The financing agreement received approval from the Federal Executive Council in February 2025, was countersigned in April 2025, and officially declared effective in September 2025.

Broader development push

The HOPE-GOV initiative aligns with broader World Bank and government efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s human capital base. Earlier in 2025, the World Bank pledged $1.2 billion to support girls’ education across 18 Nigerian states, targeting improvements in secondary education and empowerment of adolescent girls.

Taken together, these interventions signal a renewed focus on governance, accountability, and outcomes in Nigeria’s education and healthcare sectors. If effectively implemented, HOPE-GOV could help close persistent service delivery gaps, strengthen state capacity, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians who depend on public schools and primary healthcare facilities.

The Borno State Government has taken another significant step in strengthening its education sector, as Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved a fresh scholarship allocation worth N706.5 million to support students studying within Nigeria and abroad.

The announcement, made in Maiduguri on Monday by Dr. Bala Isa, Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, underscores the administration’s continued investment in human capital development and its commitment to ensuring that every willing and qualified student has access to learning opportunities.

According to Isa, the newly approved funding covers multiple categories of beneficiaries and is designed to take immediate effect. He emphasized that Governor Zulum’s initiative reflects the state’s long-standing objective of rebuilding and empowering its youthful population after years of insurgency-related setbacks.

Support for Orphans, Special Scholarship Beneficiaries, and Repatriated Students

The scholarship package has been structured to accommodate students across diverse programs and backgrounds. A major portion of the approval will support 300 orphans of fallen members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)—a group whose contributions have been instrumental in assisting state and federal security agencies in combating Boko Haram terrorism.

Additionally, the funds will cover:

• 206 students of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, under the Borno State Special Scholarship Scheme.

• 34 students of Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri.

• Repatriated Borno students from Sudan, who returned to Nigeria following the crisis in that country and require financial support to regain academic stability.

Isa noted that these interventions are not merely financial commitments but are symbolic of the government’s recognition of the sacrifices of security volunteers, as well as its determination to ensure continuous learning for youths affected by regional or international instability.

Expanded Coverage for Nursing and Postgraduate STEM Students

A substantial part of the scholarship allocation has also been dedicated to improving health-related education and meeting the state’s future workforce needs.

According to the Executive Secretary:

• 104 nursing students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Maiduguri preparing for their professional examinations will receive scholarship support.

• 523 nursing students will receive a five-month upkeep allowance.

• 304 postgraduate students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs in various Nigerian universities will benefit from the second tranche of their scholarship payments.

Isa explained that these targeted investments are aligned with Borno State’s broader strategy to rebuild its healthcare system and strengthen technical capacity across critical sectors. With the state continuing major reconstruction efforts after years of insurgency, equipping young professionals with relevant skills remains a priority.

Education as a Pillar of Reconstruction

Speaking further on the significance of the scholarship program, Isa said the intervention is a cornerstone in the state’s ongoing reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement agenda.

“This financial intervention by His Excellency underscores the central role education plays in stabilizing and rebuilding Borno,” he stated. “It sends a clear message that no student will be left behind and that every young person committed to learning will be supported.”

He reassured that the Scholarship Board is committed to transparency, accountability, and prompt disbursement, ensuring that every approved beneficiary receives their allocation without delay.

Context: Borno’s Multi-Billion Naira Scholarship Investments

The latest approval builds on the state’s substantial education spending in recent years. In 2024, the government disbursed more than N9.7 billion in scholarships for both local and international students, reflecting Governor Zulum’s far-reaching education and workforce development strategy.

The 2024 interventions included:

• N4.29 billion for over 30,000 undergraduates in Nigerian universities studying Medicine, Nursing, Engineering, Law, and Sciences.

• N382 million for 335 postgraduate STEM students in local institutions.

• N2.32 billion for 132 undergraduates in Medicine and Engineering programs in China and Egypt.

• N2.69 billion for 287 postgraduate STEM students in India and Malaysia.

Current international beneficiaries span multiple countries, including India, Malaysia, China, and Egypt. Notably, these include:

• 10 medical students at Jinzhou Medical University,

• 30 at Anhui Medical University, and

• 50 engineering students across various Chinese universities.

Locally, beneficiaries include nearly 1,000 nursing students in Maiduguri, 94 students at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and 392 students at the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has received a ₦1 billion grant from the Federal Government to scale up its commercial agriculture project and strengthen research-based food production initiatives. The fund, approved under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2025 Special Intervention Programme for Agricultural Commercial Farms, represents one of the most significant federal allocations to a tertiary institution’s agricultural program in recent years.

The approval was formally conveyed to the university through a letter signed by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono. In the letter addressed to FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, Echono stated that the allocation was made in accordance with the provisions of the TETFund Act of 2011 and forms part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance food security through academic-driven innovation.

“Further to the approval of the 2025 intervention budget by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and in line with the provisions of the TETFund Act, I hereby convey the allocation of the sum of one billion naira only for the Agricultural Commercial Farm in your institution,” the letter read. Echono emphasized that the grant is aimed at transforming FUTA’s commercial farm into a model for sustainable agribusiness and food production in Nigeria.

Strengthening Research-Driven Food Security

The initiative reflects the Tinubu administration’s renewed focus on integrating higher education and agricultural development to tackle Nigeria’s persistent food supply challenges. Under the Special Intervention Programme, selected universities are being equipped to become innovation hubs for commercial-scale farming, crop improvement, and value-chain development.

FUTA has long been recognized as one of Nigeria’s leading institutions in agricultural technology and applied research. The new fund is expected to accelerate the university’s capacity to translate academic research into practical agricultural outcomes that benefit both farmers and the national economy.

Vice Chancellor’s Response

Reacting to the development, FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and TETFund for the intervention, describing it as a “major milestone” in the university’s journey toward agricultural excellence.

“This allocation is a further testament to FUTA’s relevance in tackling food insecurity in Nigeria,” she said. “FUTA is fully committed to providing innovative solutions through agricultural research and technology. We will ensure that the funds are judiciously used to expand our commercial farm operations and empower the local farming community.”

Professor Oladiji highlighted that FUTA’s Teaching and Research Farm has already made remarkable progress in developing and cultivating high-yield, pest-resistant F1 hybrid species of bell peppers and tomatoes. These improved varieties, developed by the university’s agricultural scientists, have proven to outperform traditional types in productivity, resilience, and shelf life.

“Our vegetable production center is ready to assist local farmers in adopting these improved species,” she added. “Beyond research, we aim to make a direct impact on food availability and quality in Nigeria.”

She further revealed that the university had recently doubled the number of trees in its palm plantation and commenced the construction of additional greenhouses to support vegetable cultivation and agro-technology training. “This fund will give new energy to our commercial farming activities,” she affirmed. “I can assure the President that FUTA will deliver on this mandate and make measurable contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.”

Driving Inclusive Agricultural Innovation

The ₦1 billion allocation underscores the Federal Government’s strategy to reposition tertiary institutions as key players in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. Through TETFund’s support, FUTA’s commercial farm will serve as a model for modern mechanized agriculture, agro-processing, and agribusiness incubation.

The university’s project aligns with national priorities to strengthen food self-sufficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote local production of key staples. It also supports the administration’s goal of attracting youth participation in agriculture through training, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial initiatives.

FUTA’s commercial farm was originally established as a hybrid teaching, research, and production center aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice. With the new funding, the institution plans to expand its production capacity, enhance mechanization, and establish stronger linkages with smallholder farmers and agribusinesses across the Southwest region.

Analysts say the project could serve as a blueprint for other universities seeking to diversify revenue streams and foster industry-academic collaboration. By leveraging science, innovation, and public-private partnerships, FUTA’s initiative could help transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector from subsistence to commercial scale.

As the global demand for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture continues to grow, FUTA’s advancement in agritech and crop innovation positions it as a major player in shaping Nigeria’s food future. The N1 billion intervention fund, therefore, marks not just a boost for the university but a strategic step toward achieving national food sovereignty and economic diversification.