2026 Budget: FG Earmarks N113.7bn for School Feeding, Scholarships and Out-of-School Programmes
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has set aside N113.7 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill for key interventions in the education sector, focusing on school feeding, scholarships, support for out-of-school children, and security infrastructure.
Details of the budget reveal that the allocation forms part of the federal government’s continued efforts to improve access to education and learner welfare across the country.
Key Components of the Allocation
School Feeding Programme: N42 billion has been earmarked to support the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, which aims to provide nutritious meals to primary school pupils and expand reach to vulnerable groups.
Support for Out-of-School Children: N35 billion is designated for programmes targeting out-of-school children, with the aim of reducing the high number of children without access to formal education and reintegrating them into learning systems.
Scholarships: The budget allocates funds for scholarship servicing and new awards, with N1.4 billion set aside for servicing and verifying over 8,300 existing federal scholarship beneficiaries across multiple years, and additional sums for ongoing and new scholarship initiatives for Nigerians studying abroad under bilateral agreements.
Security Infrastructure in Unity Colleges: Approximately N28 billion has been allocated for improving security infrastructure in 118 unity colleges nationwide, including perimeter fencing and solar-powered electricity to enhance safety and learning environments.
In total, these investments are part of the presidency’s broader education financing strategy designed to strengthen human capital development and address structural challenges in the sector. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the N58.18 trillion budget estimate to the National Assembly in December 2025.
Government’s Focus
Education remains a priority in the government’s fiscal planning, with this targeted funding expected to help boost enrolment, learning outcomes, and nutritional support for millions of Nigerian children. Efforts to include out-of-school children in mainstream education have been increasingly emphasised by authorities in recent years.
As the budget moves through parliamentary considerations, stakeholders in education and child welfare will be watching closely to ensure the effective implementation of these programmes.
