16. January 2026
Admin
N113.7 Bn Earmarked in Nigeria’s 2026 Budget for School Feeding, Scholarships and Education Support
In the **2026 federal budget proposal**, the Government of Nigeria has set aside **₦113.7 billion for key educational interventions**, including school feeding programmes, scholarships, support for out-of-school children and security improvements in unity colleges — signalling a strengthened focus on human capital development.
Quick Insight:
This allocation represents a significant investment in both nutrition and access to education — particularly for vulnerable students — as the government works to improve educational outcomes and reduce barriers to learning.
Major Allocations in the Education Budget
• **₦42 billion** earmarked for expanding the **school nutrition feeding programme**, aimed at providing meals for primary school pupils.
• **₦35 billion** set aside for initiatives targeting **out-of-school children**, helping bring underserved learners back into formal education.
• **₦1.4 billion** allocated to service and verify tens of thousands of Federal Government Scholarship Awards for past years.
• **₦5.6 billion** provided for ongoing bilateral scholarship agreements for Nigerians studying abroad.
• **₦1.7 billion** to fund **new scholarship opportunities** under existing bilateral education partnerships.
Nigeria’s Broader Education Focus
• The budget also includes funding to strengthen **security infrastructure** at Unity colleges to improve safety and learning environments.
• Scholars supported through these programmes are enrolled in various international and local institutions.
• The combined spending aims to support students at multiple levels — from primary nutrition to tertiary scholarship support — helping reduce educational disparities.
Final Thoughts
By earmarking more than **₦113 billion for education-focused interventions** in 2026, the Federal Government is prioritising both access and quality in education. These investments in feeding, scholarships and inclusive programmes are expected to enhance student welfare, strengthen learning outcomes and reduce barriers to school participation across Nigeria.
