The Federal Government has proposed a total of ₦113.76 billion for major education interventions in the 2026 fiscal year, targeting school feeding, scholarships, out-of-school children and improved security in unity colleges.
The allocation is contained in the 2026 appropriation bill presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025. The proposed national budget stands at ₦58.18 trillion.
A closer look at the education component shows a strong focus on student welfare, access to learning and safety in schools.
Of the total amount, ₦42 billion has been earmarked for the school nutrition feeding programme for primary school pupils, a scheme aimed at improving attendance, concentration and overall learning outcomes.
Another ₦35 billion was allocated to the out-of-school children
programme, as the government seeks to reduce the growing number of Nigerian children without access to basic education.
Security also featured prominently, with ₦28 billion set aside for perimeter fencing and solar-powered electricity in 118 unity colleges across the country, amid rising concerns over school safety.
On scholarships, the government proposed ₦1.4 billion to service and verify 8,337 beneficiaries of the Federal Government Scholarship Awards from 2019 to 2023. The beneficiaries are students studying in public tertiary institutions.
In addition, ₦5.6 billion was allocated to support 1,532 Nigerian students currently studying abroad under Bilateral Education Agreements.
The funding will cover allowances, medical and health insurance, warm clothing, postgraduate support and travel costs.These scholars are studying in countries including Russia, China, Cuba, Romania, Turkey, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Mexico, Venezuela and Kazakhstan.
The budget also makes provision for the future, with ₦1.7 billion proposed for 300 new scholarships for Nigerians to study in countries with bilateral education agreements, as well as for monitoring the academic progress of existing scholars.
Overall, the proposed allocation reflects the government’s attempt to balance access, welfare and safety in the education sector, while supporting both local and international learning opportunities for Nigerian students.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
