In a bold step towards addressing the deepening inequality in Nigeria’s education system, a public policy researcher and nonprofit advocate, Oluwanifemi-Brown Akerele, has launched the Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP) through the Nifemi Brown Foundation (NBF).
The initiative is designed to provide full-tuition scholarships to underserved university students in Nigeria’s public institutions.
Founded in 2015, the Nifemi Brown Foundation has long been involved in grassroots educational advocacy. But with the unveiling of USP, the foundation is taking a formal and public-facing step to bridge the gap between talent and access. “We are not just giving away scholarships. We are investing in the future of this country,” Nifemi-Brown said during the launch.
“These students will go on to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers—and they will take the values of equity, resilience, and service with them.”
Nifemi-Brown, whose research has focused on education policy and inequality in sub-Saharan Africa, said the inspiration for USP came from his fieldwork and years of observing the struggles of brilliant students from low-income families.
“In my academic journey, I have seen how education transforms lives—but only when access is guaranteed. USP is our way of leveling the playing field,” she said.
According to a 2021 report by the National Bureau of Statistics, over 13.2 million young Nigerians are out of school—the highest number globally.
Nifemi-Brown Foundation views this as a national emergency. “We are seeing the effects of systemic neglect,” he said. “Our universities are filled with students who live in constant fear of dropping out due to tuition hikes and rising living costs.”
The foundation’s new scholarship initiative is especially timely. Several Nigerian universities, including the University of Lagos and the University of Benin, have announced steep increases in tuition and administrative fees. In some faculties, fees have more than doubled. “The crisis of affordability is real,” Nifemi-Brown noted. “And for many, it’s the final straw that ends their educational journey.”
USP will offer more than just financial relief. According to the NBF, each scholarship will cover tuition, registration fees, and essential academic materials. Beneficiaries will also receive mentorship and academic support to help them thrive. The program’s inaugural edition—USP 1—is expected to open applications in August, with scholarship recipients announced in September.
The foundation’s Academic Scholarship Board, comprising educators, professionals, and community stakeholders, will oversee a transparent selection process. “We’re building a system based on merit and integrity,” Nifemi-Brown stated. “We want to make sure the most deserving students get the support they need.”
Though the program currently targets Nigerian universities, Nifemi-Brown’s vision extends beyond national borders. “We see this as a model that can be scaled across Africa,” she said. “The problem of educational inequality is pan-African in nature. Our long-term goal is to adapt this model to support students in other countries facing similar barriers.”
As part of its broader efforts, the foundation plans to implement academic enrichment programs, infrastructure improvements in public schools, and teacher support initiatives. “Scholarships alone won’t fix the problem,” Nifemi-Brown emphasized. “We must invest in the entire education ecosystem.”
The Nifemi Brown Foundation is calling on individuals, organizations, and philanthropists to support the USP initiative. “Opportunity must be made universal,” Nifemi-Brown said. “This is just the beginning of a transformative journey toward educational justice—one student at a time.”
