The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed as false and misleading a viral social media statement claiming that the National Award Scholarship had been suspended and the Federal Scholarship Board dissolved.
In a press release issued on May 29, 2026, the Ministry clarified that no such directive was issued by the Federal Government or the Ministry.
According to the statement signed by Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Federal Scholarship Board has only been renamed as the Department of Scholarship Awards (DSA) under the Ministry of Education, while its responsibilities and functions remain unchanged.
The Ministry assured students, parents, and scholarship beneficiaries that all recognised Federal Government scholarship programmes remain active and uninterrupted across the country.
It explained that the only programme affected by a recent policy review is the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme, which was discontinued as part of efforts to strengthen local tertiary education institutions.
The Ministry, however, stressed that the decision does not affect domestic scholarship schemes such as the Nigerian Scholarship Awards, the Federal Government Bursary for Education students, and the Presidential Scholarship for former NYSC corps members.
It further stated that beneficiaries currently studying under the BEA scheme would continue to receive full government support until the completion of their academic programmes.
The statement also noted that local scholarship initiatives and student loan programmes are being strengthened to improve access to education for Nigerian students.
The Ministry urged members of the public to disregard the fake suspension notice, insisting that the document did not originate from the Ministry or the Department of Scholarship Awards.
Condemning the spread of false information capable of causing panic among students and families, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equitable access to education through scholarships and other student support programmes nationwide.
