For many Nigerian students, the cost of higher education is one of the biggest challenges standing between them and their academic goals. Tuition fees, accommodation, study materials, and general living expenses add up fast — and for families without strong financial backing, the pressure can become overwhelming.
This is exactly the gap the Federal Scholarship Board was created to fill. As one of the most established government scholarship programs in Nigeria, the FSB has been supporting deserving students for decades — helping them complete their education without financial barriers getting in the way.
If you are a Nigerian student looking for government-funded scholarship support — whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level — this guide covers everything you need to know about the Federal Scholarship Board, the programs it offers, who qualifies, what the awards are worth, and how to apply.
What Is the Federal Scholarship Board?
The Federal Scholarship Board, commonly referred to as the FSB, is a government agency operating under Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education. It was established specifically to identify, select, and support academically outstanding Nigerian students through various scholarship programs — both locally and internationally.
The FSB has two core mandates. The first is to administer domestic scholarship awards that support students studying in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The second is to manage Nigeria’s participation in international scholarship agreements with foreign governments and multilateral organisations — ensuring that Nigerian students have access to study opportunities abroad under formal bilateral arrangements.
In simple terms, the FSB is the body responsible for making sure that government scholarship money gets to the students who deserve it most, and that Nigeria honours its education commitments with partner countries around the world.
The official website of the Federal Scholarship Board is accessible through the Federal Ministry of Education’s portal at www.education.gov.ng. All applications and official communications go through this platform.
Scholarship Programs Offered by the Federal Scholarship Board
The FSB administers several distinct scholarship programs, each targeting different categories of students and serving different purposes. Understanding which program applies to your situation is the first step toward a successful application.
1. Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA)
The Nigerian Scholarship Award is the FSB’s flagship domestic scholarship program. It is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying full-time in accredited Nigerian public tertiary institutions — universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education.
This scholarship is tenable within Nigeria and is designed to ease the financial burden of studying locally. It is awarded annually and renewed based on continued academic performance. The NSA is the program most Nigerian students are referring to when they talk about the “FSB scholarship.”
Award amounts for the Nigerian Scholarship Award vary by level of study:
- University undergraduate and postgraduate students — ₦300,000 per annum
- HND students (polytechnics) — ₦150,000 per annum
- NCE students (colleges of education) — ₦150,000 per annum
These figures are based on the most recent publicly available information. Always check the official FSB portal for the current award amounts as they are subject to review by the Federal Ministry of Education.
2. Education Bursary Award (EBA)
The Education Bursary Award is a special scholarship program specifically for Nigerian students enrolled in education-related degree and diploma programs at accredited Nigerian public tertiary institutions. If you are studying to become a teacher — whether in a university, polytechnic, or college of education — this program was designed with you in mind.
The EBA exists because the Nigerian government recognises the importance of training quality teachers and wants to encourage more students to pursue education as a discipline. The bursary provides financial support to education students who might otherwise choose more financially attractive fields.
Like the NSA, the EBA is tenable in Nigeria and is renewed annually based on academic performance. Applicants must be registered full-time students studying Education and must be in their second year or above.
3. Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship
The Bilateral Education Agreement scholarship is arguably the most prestigious of all FSB programs. It is a fully funded scholarship that allows Nigerian students to study abroad in countries with which Nigeria has signed formal education agreements.
Under the BEA program, the cost of education is shared between the Nigerian government and the host country’s government. Typically, the partner country covers tuition fees and sometimes accommodation, while the Nigerian government takes care of travel expenses and living allowances. The exact arrangement varies from country to country depending on the terms of each bilateral agreement.
Countries that have been part of the BEA program include Russia, China, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and several others. The available countries and the number of slots offered can change from one cycle to the next based on the current state of bilateral agreements between Nigeria and each partner country.
The BEA scholarship covers both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, depending on the available slots from each partner country in any given cycle. It is open to Nigerian students who wish to pursue their education internationally under government sponsorship.
4. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
Through the FSB, Nigeria participates in the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan — an international program that provides scholarships for students from Commonwealth countries to study in other Commonwealth member nations, particularly the United Kingdom.
The FSB coordinates Nigeria’s participation in the CSFP, handling nominations and the selection of candidates who will be forwarded to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for final consideration. This program primarily targets postgraduate students seeking to pursue master’s degrees or PhD programs in UK universities.
The CSFP is highly competitive and comes with strict academic requirements. It is one of the most sought-after scholarship opportunities available to Nigerian postgraduate students.
Eligibility Requirements for FSB Scholarships
While each FSB program has its own specific requirements, there are general eligibility conditions that apply broadly across the board. Here is what you need to know:
General Requirements for All Programs
- Nigerian citizenship — You must be a Nigerian citizen by birth with valid documentation. Dual citizenship holders may apply but must establish primary allegiance to Nigeria.
- Full-time enrollment — All FSB scholarships are strictly for full-time students. Part-time students are not eligible regardless of which program they are applying for.
- Second year or above — All applicants, including those with disabilities, must be in their second year of study or above. First-year students are not eligible.
- Not currently holding another scholarship — You cannot hold an FSB scholarship simultaneously with any other scholarship award. If you are already a beneficiary of another government or institutional scholarship, you are not eligible to apply.
- Studying in an accredited institution — Your university, polytechnic, or college of education must be properly accredited and recognised by the relevant Nigerian regulatory body.
Academic Requirements by Level of Study
- University undergraduate students — Must have a minimum CGPA of 4.0 on a 5-point scale, or its equivalent on other grading scales used by their institution.
- HND and NCE students — Must have a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale.
- Postgraduate students — Must possess a minimum of a first degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division (2:1). This is a firm requirement — a lower second class or third class degree does not qualify.
Additional Requirements for the BEA Scholarship
The Bilateral Education Agreement scholarship has additional requirements beyond the general ones. These include:
- Meeting the academic and language requirements of the specific partner country you are applying to
- Being within the age limits specified by the host country for each cycle
- Studying or intending to study in a field of study approved for that specific bilateral agreement
- For undergraduate BEA, having a minimum of five credits in WAEC or NECO including English Language and Mathematics
Because BEA requirements vary by country and by cycle, always read the specific guidelines for each partner country carefully before applying.
The CBT Screening Process
One important development in recent FSB scholarship cycles is the introduction of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) as part of the selection process for the Nigerian Scholarship Award.
The CBT is conducted at designated centres across Nigeria and is used to assess the academic aptitude and general knowledge of applicants. It covers areas that test reasoning ability, subject knowledge, and general awareness. Performance in the CBT is used alongside your CGPA to determine who advances in the selection process.
This means that meeting the CGPA requirement alone is no longer enough to guarantee selection. You need to perform well in the CBT as well. Students who understand this and prepare for the test seriously have a significantly better chance of being selected than those who assume their grades alone will carry them through.
To prepare for the CBT, review basic subject knowledge in your field, practice aptitude and reasoning questions, and read up on current affairs related to Nigeria and the broader world. Past questions from similar government screening tests are also useful study materials.
How to Apply for the Federal Scholarship Board Scholarship
The application process for FSB scholarships is carried out online through the Federal Ministry of Education’s official portal. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the process works:
- Visit the Federal Ministry of Education website — Open your browser and go to www.education.gov.ng. This is the official government portal where all FSB scholarship applications are processed.
- Click on the Federal Scholarship Board icon — On the homepage of the Ministry of Education website, look for the Federal Scholarship Board icon or link. Click on it to be directed to the FSB scholarship section.
- Select the appropriate scholarship program — Depending on what you are applying for, select the relevant program — Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, or Bilateral Education Agreement. Read the guidelines for your chosen program carefully before filling in anything.
- Read the guidelines thoroughly — This step is not optional. The FSB guidelines contain specific instructions, eligibility conditions, document requirements, and important warnings. Ignoring them is one of the easiest ways to get disqualified. Take your time and read everything.
- Complete the online application form — Fill in the application form accurately and completely. Provide your personal details, academic information, institution details, CGPA, and any other information requested. Double-check every field before moving on.
- Upload your documents — Attach all required documents in the formats and sizes specified. Make sure your scans are clear and your files are properly named.
- Print your completed application form — After submitting online, print a copy of your completed application form. Keep it safe — you will need it for future stages of the process including the CBT and any physical verification.
- Prepare for the CBT — If you are applying for the NSA, prepare seriously for the Computer-Based Test. When the CBT date is announced, go to your designated centre on time with the required identification documents.
- Await results and further instructions — After the CBT, the FSB processes results and contacts successful candidates with the next steps. Monitor your email and check the official portal regularly for updates.
Required Documents for FSB Scholarship Applications
While the exact document list may vary slightly between programs and cycles, the following are the standard documents typically required for FSB scholarship applications:
- Valid student ID card — Current institution ID showing your name and student number
- Academic transcript or result sheet — Official academic record showing your current CGPA
- Letter of identification from your institution — A letter from your school confirming your enrollment status and year of study
- O’Level certificate — WAEC or NECO result showing your credit passes
- Birth certificate or age declaration — Proof of age and Nigerian citizenship
- Passport photograph — Recent passport-sized photo with a plain background
- National Identification Number (NIN) — Your NIN slip or NIN card
- For postgraduate applicants — First degree certificate and transcript showing Second Class Upper Honours or equivalent
- For BEA applicants — Additional documents specific to the partner country requirements
Scan all documents clearly before uploading. Blurry, incomplete, or oversized files are common reasons for applications being flagged during verification.
Important Tips to Strengthen Your Application
The FSB scholarship is competitive. Thousands of Nigerian students apply every cycle, and while the eligibility criteria are clearly defined, strong preparation and attention to detail are what separate successful applicants from those who miss out.
Apply as soon as the portal opens — do not wait until the last few days. Government portals often slow down or become temporarily inaccessible as deadlines approach. Submitting early also gives you time to correct any errors before the window closes.
Make sure your CGPA is accurately entered and matches your official transcript. Any discrepancy between what you enter on the form and what your uploaded documents show will raise questions during verification and could cost you the scholarship.
Prepare for the CBT as seriously as you would prepare for any important examination. The CBT is not a formality — it is a genuine assessment that determines who advances. Students who treat it casually often do not make it past this stage.
Never submit a double application. The FSB explicitly warns that double entries will be disqualified. Apply once, with correct information, and make sure everything is complete before you submit.
Finally, use your personal and active email address for the application — not a school email you might lose access to. All official communication from the FSB comes via email, and missing a notification because your inbox is inactive is an avoidable mistake.
FSB Scholarship Application Deadline
Application deadlines vary by program and by cycle. For the 2025 cycle of the Nigerian Scholarship Award and Education Bursary Award, the registration portal was open from April 18 to May 29, 2025. The BEA scholarship portal for the 2024/2025 cycle opened in December 2024 and closed in January 2025.
Based on previous patterns, the NSA and EBA typically open between March and May each year, while the BEA portal tends to open between November and January. These timelines can shift, so the best approach is to monitor the official Federal Ministry of Education website and set up alerts on trusted Nigerian scholarship platforms so you are notified as soon as each cycle opens.
How to Contact the Federal Scholarship Board
If you have questions about your application, need clarification on eligibility, or encounter any issues with the portal, you can reach the Federal Scholarship Board through the following channels:
- Email: fsb@education.gov.ng
- Phone: 09015705399 or 07047719254
- Website: www.education.gov.ng (click the FSB icon on the homepage)
When reaching out, have your application details ready — your full name, institution, program, and application reference number if available. This speeds up the process significantly.
Final Thoughts
The Federal Scholarship Board represents one of the most significant government investments in Nigerian student welfare. Whether you are an undergraduate struggling with school fees, a postgraduate student looking to advance your research, or someone with aspirations to study abroad under a bilateral agreement, the FSB has a program that could meet your needs.
The key is to stay informed, apply on time, meet the academic requirements, and prepare seriously for every stage of the selection process — especially the CBT. Students who approach the FSB scholarship with the same level of seriousness they bring to their academics give themselves the best chance of being selected.
Watch the official Federal Ministry of Education website for announcements when the next cycle opens, gather your documents early, and submit a complete and accurate application. This scholarship has changed the academic trajectory of thousands of Nigerian students — it could do the same for you.
If this guide was helpful, share it with a fellow student who might be looking for scholarship support. And if you have any questions about the Federal Scholarship Board or the application process, drop them in the comments section below.