The Read and Earn Federation for UNESCO (UNESCO REF) and UNICAF have formalized a landmark strategic partnership that fundamentally changes the economics of higher education access for Nigerian students. Through the UNESCO REF Educational Financial Facility Scheme (EFFS), qualifying students now pay only 14 percent of tuition costs for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programmes. The remainder is fully funded.

This is not UNICAF's standard public offering. The 86 percent scholarship rate exists exclusively through the UNESCO REF EFFS channel, representing UNICAF's dedicated commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and alignment with the Federal Government of Nigeria's education agenda through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund) framework.

Nigeria cannot afford to leave talent stranded at the border of ambition and access. The UNESCO REF–UNICAF partnership dismantles the financial barriers that have kept thousands of qualified Nigerians from world-class credentials.

Through EFFS, we have created a transparent, scalable mechanism that combines structured study loans, institutional placement, and now, through UNICAF, scholarship coverage of 86 percent for those who qualify. Every Nigerian student who earns admission through the UNICAF platform under this scheme will pay only 14 percent of tuition costs. The rest is covered. This partnership aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda's commitment to human capital development, and it reflects UNESCO REF's broader mandate under SIP-ALPHA Category 2 to expand educational access for financially constrained Nigerians. When we equip our youth with globally recognised qualifications, we strengthen the nation's capacity to innovate, compete, and lead in a knowledge-driven economy.
Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan President, UNESCO REF
Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, President, UNESCO REF

Building Nigeria's Capacity, One Scholar at a Time

"The window is open. The pathway is clear. Nigerian students ready to pursue their academic and professional futures internationally now have a credible, structured route forward," Prince Abdulsalami stated during the partnership formalization.

"We will not wait for others to build our capacity. We are building it ourselves, one scholar at a time."

— Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, UK-S.FABE
President & Secretary-General, UNESCO REF

Education is the foundation of sustainable development and the most powerful driver of opportunity. Our collaboration with UNESCO REF through the Educational Financial Facility Scheme directly supports SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring inclusive and equitable access to quality tertiary education for all learners, in full accordance with the Incheon Declaration and Education 2030 Framework for Action. By offering up to 86 percent scholarship coverage, we are systematically expanding opportunities for Nigerian students to pursue higher education, regardless of socioeconomic barriers. This initiative operationalizes the principle of leaving no one behind — a cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Dr. Nicos Nicolaou Chief Executive Officer, UNICAF
Dr. Nicos Nicolaou, Chief Executive Officer, UNICAF

Institutional Commitment to Nigeria's Educational Transformation

Dr. Nicolaou emphasized that this capacity-building initiative aligns with the Federal Government of Nigeria's Renewed Hope Agenda, which places human capital development and institutional strengthening at the heart of national progress.

"By empowering young Nigerians with knowledge and competencies, we are not only uplifting individuals but also strengthening the nation's institutional capacity to innovate, compete, and thrive in a knowledge-based global economy."

Exclusive Notice: Premium Scholarship Rate

The 86% scholarship coverage is exclusively available only through the UNESCO REF Educational Financial Facility Scheme (EFFS). This is not UNICAF's standard public offering. This premium scholarship rate represents UNICAF's dedicated commitment to the United Nations SDG 4 mandate and the Federal Government of Nigeria's education agenda through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund), negotiated specifically for UNESCO REF EFFS beneficiaries.