The Federal Government has announced plans to phase out foreign scholarship programs, citing inefficiency and waste. Instead, the government will redirect funds to support local tertiary education research. The new initiative aims to boost domestic academic innovation and reduce reliance on international student exchanges.
The decision follows a review of current scholarship policies, which the government claims have not yielded significant returns for Nigerian institutions. The N365m allocated for research will be distributed across universities and research centers, focusing on priority areas such as technology, agriculture, and healthcare.
Ministers emphasized that the move is part of broader efforts to enhance national capacity in critical fields. They noted that local research could better address the country’s specific challenges. The policy shift has sparked mixed reactions from academic circles, with some welcoming the focus on homegrown solutions.
The government has not yet released details on the timeline for ending foreign scholarships or the criteria for selecting local research projects.
