List of Undergraduate Scholarships in Nigeria (2026 Updated Guide for Students)

School fees in Nigeria are not cheap. Between tuition, textbooks, hostel rent, and daily expenses, many students struggle to keep up. That’s why scholarships are such a big deal. They can take away a huge part of the financial stress and allow you to focus on your studies.

The good news? There are many scholarship opportunities for undergraduates in Nigeria — from big oil companies, to government agencies, to private foundations.

The bad news? Many students miss out because they either don’t know about them, or they find out too late.

This guide is here to change that. Below is a full, updated list of undergraduate scholarships in Nigeria (2026), how much they pay, who can apply, and practical tips to increase your chances.

Currently Open Scholarships & Programs (May 2026)

These are scholarships and opportunities that are currently open or closing soon. Apply immediately to avoid missing deadlines.

MTN Foundation Scholarship (2026 Now Open)

• Amount: ₦300,000 per year (renewable until graduation)
• Deadline: May 31, 2026
• Who can apply: 300-level STEM students in public institutions
• CGPA requirement: Minimum 3.5/5.0

The MTN Foundation Scholarship remains one of the most competitive undergraduate scholarships in Nigeria, with over 400 students expected to be selected in 2026.

👉 Apply here

Stanbic IBTC Blue Internship Programme (2026)

• Deadline: May 15, 2026
• Type: Paid internship / career development program
• Eligibility:
  • Minimum CGPA of 3.5
  • Must have completed at least one semester

This is not a direct scholarship but a high-value opportunity that gives students corporate experience and improves employability after graduation.

👉 Apply here

Pan-Atlantic University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Fully Funded)

• Deadline: May 22, 2026
• Coverage:
  • Full tuition
  • Accommodation
  • Living expenses
  • Mentorship + career support
• Requirements:
  • Minimum UTME score: 220
  • Strong academic performance
  • Financial need

This is one of the few fully funded undergraduate scholarships in Nigeria, and it prioritizes women, displaced persons, and students with disabilities.

👉 Apply here

Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship (For Female Students)

• Deadline: May 22, 2026
• Amount:
  • Up to ₦650,000/year (university students)
• Eligibility:
  • Female Nigerian students
  • Must be studying or planning to study STEM, Nursing, or Teaching

This is a high-value but lesser-known scholarship, making it less competitive compared to major corporate awards.

👉 Apply here

Corporate & Oil/Gas Scholarships

These are the most popular and usually pay the highest amounts. Most of them target STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and medical students.

• MTN Foundation Scholarship – ₦300,000 per year. For 300-level science and tech students, plus a special stream for blind students. Now open. Deadline: May 31, 2026
• NNPC / SNEPCo Scholarship – ₦200,000 per year. For Engineering, Geosciences, and ICT students. Expected opening July to August 2026
• NNPC / Chevron Scholarship (formerly Agbami) – ₦200,000 per year. Covers engineering, health, and related fields.
• NLNG Scholarship – ₦300,000 per year. Strictly for fresh 100 level students in federal and state universities. Next expected opening: October to December 2026. Renewable.
• Shell / SNEPCo National Merit Scholarship – ₦200,000 per year. For engineering and geoscience students.
• ExxonMobil Scholarship – ₦150,000 per year. For science and engineering fields.
• Agip (NAOC) Scholarship – Note: currently focused on postgraduate studies, not undergraduates.

💡 Tip: Oil & Gas scholarships are very competitive. You’ll usually need at least a CGPA of 3.5/5.0 to stand a chance.

📌 2026 timeline: Most corporate oil and gas scholarships are expected to open between May and August 2026.

Government & Public Sector Scholarships

• Federal Government Scholarship (FGSB) – ₦450,000 per year for undergraduates in federal and state universities.
• PTDF Scholarship – ₦700,000 per year + laptop. Focused on Petroleum, Oil & Gas related courses. Very competitive.
• State Government Scholarships – e.g., Lagos, Kaduna, Rivers, etc. Amounts vary but usually cover tuition or a set allowance.

💡 Tip: Many students ignore state scholarships, but they are often less competitive than the big national ones.

📌 2026 timeline: Federal and state government scholarships typically open between April and July 2026, subject to budget approval.

Private Foundations & NGO Scholarships

• Jim Ovia Foundation Scholarship – Tuition + ₦150,000 yearly allowance. Open to all fields.
• FATE Scholar Programme – For 100-level students in public universities, focused on STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics). Covers tuition and extra support.
• NWAG (Nigerian Women Association of Georgia) Scholarship – $300 (USD) for female undergraduates. Now open.
• The Bridge Scholarship – ₦200,000 per year for students in public universities.
• KPMG University Scholarship – Be careful: the ₤3,000 scholarship widely advertised is tied to UK programmes, not Nigerian schools. Always double-check before applying.

📌 2026 timeline: Most foundation and NGO scholarships open between February and June 2026.

Other Well-Known Scholarships to Know About

A few more established schemes are worth knowing, even though they get less coverage in general scholarship roundups.

• NDDC Scholarship (Niger Delta Development Commission): covers local and foreign undergraduate study for students from Niger Delta states. Check the NDDC portal for the current call and required documents.
• SEPLAT Undergraduate Scholarship: a national merit award for students in Nigerian universities, historically strong in oil and gas related disciplines. Confirm the current call and award amount on the official SEPLAT portal.
• Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Scholarship: covers local and foreign scholarships mainly for beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme and their dependents from the Niger Delta region.
• Stanbic IBTC University Scholarship: a separate cash grant scholarship from the Stanbic IBTC Blue Internship Programme listed above, sometimes tied to strong JAMB scores. Confirm whether it is currently open before applying.

⚠️ Note: verify current amounts, deadlines, and eligibility for each of these on their official portals before applying or publishing.

Newly Announced & Time-Sensitive Scholarships (2026)

In addition to popular national scholarships, several lesser known but credible scholarships are currently open or recently announced for Nigerian students. These opportunities are often less competitive because fewer students know about them.

Idris Ajiboye Family Foundation Scholarship (2026)

This is a merit based scholarship aimed at supporting outstanding but underprivileged Nigerian students studying within Nigeria.

• Award amount: ₦100,000 (for 10 selected students)
• Who can apply: Nigerian students studying and residing in Nigeria
• Selection basis: Academic merit, enrollment status, and supporting documents
• Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Notification and payment: February 2026

This scholarship strongly values proof of enrollment, academic transcripts, and evidence of community involvement.

👉 Application link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZV-0vNyV_-6a7vlY_5nYJpf-i4PXuB143iksJ4Gu9U2aXLg/viewform

Zeribe Nwosu Scholarships (ZNS) 2026 (5th Edition)

The Zeribe Nwosu Foundation offers multiple scholarship categories open to students and recent graduates across Nigeria. Applicants may apply for more than one category if eligible.

Available categories include:

• Undergraduate to Postgraduate Transition Scholarship
  For final year undergraduates in Nigerian public institutions
  Minimum CGPA: 3.5 on a 5.0 scale or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Innovative Teaching Scholarship
  For education graduates actively teaching
  Must not have graduated more than three years ago
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Scholarship
  Open to final year students and recent graduates
  Strong academic record required

Deadline for all categories: April 1, 2026

Required documents include a personal statement, CV, transcripts, referee letters, and statement of need.

👉 Application link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iaV8XUVsXnuC3hzobslhf6F8XizH8or4XWYZLb944-s/viewform

Credence Nigerian Law School Scholarship (2026)

This scholarship is specifically for law students preparing to attend the Nigerian Law School and is focused on full tuition support.

• Coverage: Full Nigerian Law School tuition
• Who can apply: Final year law students or recent graduates
• Minimum CGPA: Second Class Upper (3.5/5.0)
• Additional focus: Financial need, leadership, and community service
• Deadline: January 31, 2026

This scholarship is ideal for brilliant law graduates who may struggle to afford law school fees.

👉 Application link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i7wCHfCytQPXl9pQxDsPRb7g982JRpz7EdcjAKSYteE/viewform

Important Note on New Scholarships

Newly announced scholarships often have:

• Short application windows
• Fewer applicants
• Strict documentation checks

Students who apply early and submit clean, complete documents usually stand a better chance than those chasing only popular scholarships.

Who Benefits the Most?

• STEM students – Engineering, Medicine, ICT, and Pure Sciences (most oil and gas scholarships).
• General courses – Federal Government, Jim Ovia, Bridge, State scholarships.
• Female students – NWAG and other women-focused awards.

How to Apply & Win

1. Start early – most scholarships open between April and September. Don’t wait until deadlines are near.
2. Keep your documents ready – admission letter, school ID, transcript/CGPA, passport photo, indigene certificate, WAEC/NECO.
3. Maintain a good CGPA – 3.5/5.0 is the sweet spot for most corporate scholarships.
4. Apply to many – don’t just apply to one. Apply to 5–6, increase your chances.
5. Watch out for scams – no real scholarship asks you to pay “processing fees.”
6. Focus on renewables – MTN, PTDF, and Shell renew yearly if you maintain your grades. That’s long-term support.

Where to Find Fresh 2026 Scholarships

New scholarships get announced throughout the year, so it helps to check a few reliable sources directly instead of relying only on social media posts.

• Federal Scholarship Board (Federal Ministry of Education): the official government body for federal and bilateral scholarships. Always use the official government portal. Be careful of blogspot or copycat sites using similar names that are not the real board.
• ScholarshipAir: lists ongoing undergraduate scholarship calls in Nigeria and abroad, filterable by level and deadline.
• MyJobMag Scholarships page: curates new corporate and foundation scholarship announcements for Nigerian undergraduates.
• Scholarship Region: posts updates on newer schemes, including some of the ones mentioned above, as they open.

Quick Comparison Table (2026 Updated)

💡 A note for private university students: NLNG explicitly requires a federal or state owned university, so private university students do not qualify for it. Most of the others in the table above, including MTN Foundation, Jim Ovia, and The Bridge, are not explicitly restricted to public universities, but always confirm current eligibility on the official portal before applying.

Final Advice

At the end of the day, you don’t need to chase the “biggest” scholarship — you just need the right one that matches your course and CGPA. Even a ₦150,000 scholarship can cover your hostel rent and textbooks for a whole session.

So:

• Keep your grades up.
• Apply early and widely.
• Don’t fall for scams.
• Focus on what you can confidently defend.

If you stay consistent, you’ll increase your chances of landing at least one scholarship before you graduate.

FAQs

1. Which scholarship is best for Nigerian undergraduates in 2026?

The MTN Foundation Scholarship (₦300,000), PTDF Scholarship (₦700,000 + laptop), and NNPC/SNEPCo Scholarship (₦200,000) are among the most popular and valuable for Nigerian undergraduates.

2. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?

Yes. You should apply to multiple scholarships because competition is high. If you qualify for more than one, you can accept them as long as there is no conflict in terms and conditions.

3. What CGPA do I need to qualify?

Most corporate scholarships require a minimum CGPA of 3.5/5.0 (Second Class Upper). Some government and NGO awards may accept a CGPA of 3.0.

4. Are there scholarships for 100-level students?

Yes. Scholarships like NLNG (₦300,000) and the FATE Scholar Programme target students at 100 level. Others, like MTN and NNPC, start from 200 or 300 level.

5. Which scholarships cover all courses, not just STEM?

Jim Ovia Foundation, Federal Government Scholarship (FGSB), The Bridge Scholarship, Bet9ja Foundation, and most state government scholarships are open to all courses.

6. Are there scholarships specifically for female students?

Yes. The NWAG Scholarship ($300) is designed for Nigerian female undergraduates. Some state and NGO scholarships also prioritize women.

7. Do I have to pay to apply for scholarships in Nigeria?

No. Legitimate scholarships in Nigeria are 100% free to apply for. Avoid scams that ask for “processing fees.”

8. When is the best time to apply?

Most Nigerian undergraduate scholarships open between April and September 2026. Students should use January to March 2026 to prepare their documents. A few scholarships, such as NLNG, usually open late in the year between October and December 2026.

9. Can private university students apply for these scholarships?

It depends on the scholarship. NLNG is restricted to federal or state owned universities, so private university students do not qualify. Most other awards on this list are not explicitly restricted to public universities, but confirm current eligibility on the official portal before applying.

10. Are there scholarships for 200-level students specifically?

Yes. NNPC/SNEPCo, Shell/SNEPCo, and several oil and gas linked scholarships accept students from 200 level upward, in addition to the 100-level and 300-level specific ones already covered above.

11. Are there scholarships for Nigerian students to study abroad?

A few, but most well known international scholarships such as Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD, and Fulbright are aimed at postgraduate students, not undergraduates. If you are looking specifically for undergraduate study abroad funding, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at partner universities is one of the few that accepts undergraduates directly.

12. How do I know if a scholarship is legitimate?

A legitimate scholarship never asks you to pay a "processing," "verification," or "registration" fee. It will also have an official portal tied to a recognized organization, government body, or company, not just a social media page or a generic blogspot site.

13. Is there a Federal Government scholarship for undergraduates?

Yes. The Federal Scholarship Board, under the Federal Ministry of Education, and schemes like the NDDC Scholarship and the Presidential Amnesty Programme Scholarship, cover different groups of Nigerian undergraduates. Always apply through the official government portal for each, not through third party blogs.