UNESCO REF, UNICAF Launch Scholarship Programme for Nigerian Students
The Read and Earn Federation for UNESCO and UNICAF have formed a partnership to offer Nigerian students an 86 per cent scholarship on tuition fees for internationally recognised degrees.
The initiative is designed to make higher education more accessible and complement the Federal Government’s Nigeria Education Loan Fund. Students admitted through this pathway will only need to pay 14 per cent of the tuition costs.
The Educational Financial Facility Scheme targets undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes. It aims to support young Nigerians who want to pursue globally accredited qualifications but struggle with financial constraints.
The programme is expected to reduce the burden on families and open more opportunities for students across the country.
Dr Nicos Nicolaou, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of UNICAF, described the collaboration as an important move to expand access to quality education. He noted that the scholarship is available only to students admitted through the UNESCO REF pathway and is intended to support the government’s human capital development goals.
The partnership reflects UNICAF’s long-standing commitment to helping more Africans obtain recognised qualifications.
Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, President of UNESCO REF, explained that the scheme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting equitable access to tertiary education. He said the initiative would enhance youth employability and contribute to Nigeria’s knowledge economy.
The programme will be closely monitored to ensure it delivers positive results for participants.
A beneficiary, Mrs Grace Adetola, a registered nurse, shared how the scholarship has allowed her to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health Management after years of being unable to afford it. The collaboration between UNESCO REF and UNICAF is viewed as a promising step that will help more Nigerian students achieve their academic dreams while strengthening the country’s education system.
Photo credit: Punch Newspaper
