JAMB, WAEC, and admissions guides for Nigerian students
Best Undergraduate Scholarships in Nigeria 2026: Top 12 Schemes
Nigerian university students have access to several substantial undergraduate scholarship programmes covering federal government, state government, corporate, and international funders. The schemes vary in award value, eligibility, discipline focus, and application competitiveness. This guide ranks and details the top 12 undergraduate scholarship schemes that Nigerian university students should consider for the 2026 cycle, with eligibility criteria, application timing, and approximate award value for each.
Last updated: May 2026 The ranking below considers a combination of award value, applicant accessibility (number of slots vs. applicant pool), renewability, and the prestige and career network value of the scheme. Smaller LGA-level and university-internal bursaries are excluded; this guide focuses on schemes with substantial annual award value and broad applicant access. Apply to as many as you qualify for each cycle; many students win multiple scholarships over their undergraduate years through persistent application.
The top 12 undergraduate scholarships in Nigeria 2026
1. NNPC/Shell JV Cradle to Career Scholarship
Among the most generous undergraduate scholarships available to Nigerian students. Covers full school fees plus a substantial stipend for students from the five host community states (Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Rivers, Abia). Total annual value: N500,000 to N1,500,000+. Application window typically opens Q3 each year. Renewable through graduation. See our dedicated guide for full details.
2. Chevron Agbami Medical and Engineering Professionals Scholarship
Open nationally to undergraduate students in Engineering and Medical Sciences at Nigerian universities. Annual award N350,000 to N500,000 per session, renewable through graduation. Application window in Q3 each year. Highly competitive but accessible because of the wide national applicant pool. Strong career network value. See our dedicated guide for the full breakdown.
3. NDDC Regional Undergraduate Scholarship
For indigenes of the nine Niger Delta states (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, Rivers, Abia). Annual award N500,000 to N1,000,000+ per session. Application window typically Q2 each year. Priority disciplines: Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Environmental Sciences. Renewable annually. Restricted applicant pool reduces competition relative to national schemes.
4. Federal Government Scholarship (FSB Nigerian Award)
Administered by the Federal Scholarship Board. For undergraduates at Nigerian universities, 200 level and above. Covers tuition (paid to university) plus monthly stipend. Annual application window in Q1 or Q2 each year. Competitive selection through qualifying exam. Renewable annually. Bond requires service in Nigeria after graduation.
5. MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship
For undergraduate students in Sciences and Technology disciplines, at 200 level at the time of application. Annual award N200,000 in recent cycles, renewable through graduation. Selection via aptitude test. Application window typically Q3 each year. Highly competitive but established and consistent scheme. Strong mentorship network with MTN industry professionals.
6. Shell SNEPCo National University Scholarship
Open nationally to undergraduate students at Nigerian universities, 100 and 200 level. Annual award N150,000 to N250,000 per session. Application window typically Q3 each year. Priority for Sciences, Engineering, and Geosciences. Renewable through graduation. Established scheme since the early 2000s with strong industry network value.
7. NLNG Prize for Literature / NLNG Science Award (recipient scholarships)
NLNG (Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas) runs targeted scholarship and award schemes for science and humanities students. The schemes are smaller in scale than the major corporate scholarships but offer substantial recognition and award value to selected candidates. Check nlng.com for current scholarship and award offerings. Application timing varies by scheme.
8. PTDF Local Scholarship
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund’s local stream funds undergraduate and postgraduate students in oil and gas-relevant disciplines at Nigerian universities. Less prestigious than the PTDF overseas scheme but still substantial. Application timing varies by cycle; check scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng. Strong fit for students in Petroleum, Chemical, Mechanical Engineering, and Geosciences.
9. State Government Scholarships (per state)
Each Nigerian state runs scholarship schemes for its indigenes. Award values vary widely from N50,000 to over N1,000,000 per session depending on the state and the specific scheme. Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Bayelsa are among the most consistently funded state schemes. Application timing varies by state; check your state’s Ministry of Education website. See our state scholarships guide.
10. Total/TotalEnergies Nigeria Scholarship
TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria runs annual scholarship schemes for undergraduate students in Engineering and Geosciences at Nigerian universities. The scheme has run consistently for years with awards in the N200,000 to N400,000 per session range. Strong career network. Application timing typically Q2 or Q3 each year. Check totalenergies.ng for current cycle details.
11. Aliko Dangote Foundation Scholarship
The Aliko Dangote Foundation has run scholarship programmes for Nigerian undergraduates, particularly in priority disciplines aligned with Dangote Group industries (cement, agriculture, sugar, refinery, fertiliser). Award values and application timing have varied across cycles. Check dangotefoundation.org for current cycle information. Selective but very high award value.
12. Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP)
Not a traditional academic scholarship but a major Nigerian youth funding programme. TEEP provides seed funding (USD 5,000 in recent cycles), business training, and mentorship for selected African entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35. Open to Nigerian university students and graduates with business ideas. Application typically opens in Q1 each year. Highly competitive. Check tonyelumelufoundation.org.
Beyond the top 12: other schemes to consider
University internal scholarships. Most Nigerian universities run merit bursaries for top-performing students. Ask at your university’s student affairs office or scholarship desk. Award values are typically modest (N20,000 to N100,000) but applications are uncomplicated.
Local Government scholarships. Some LGAs run scholarship schemes for indigenes. Inquire at your LGEA office.
Religious and ethnic association scholarships. Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria, various Muslim umbrella organisations, ethnic association funds (e.g., Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa associations in major cities) run targeted scholarship and bursary schemes.
International scholarships. Schemes like the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme (at partner universities), Commonwealth Scholarships (UK), DAAD (Germany), and Chevening (UK) target undergraduate and postgraduate Nigerian students.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation / Open Society programmes. Periodic targeted scholarships for African students; less consistent but high-value when available.
How to maximise your scholarship chances
Apply broadly. Each cycle, apply for every scholarship you qualify for. Even if award rates are 5%, applying for 10 scholarships gives you a much higher cumulative chance than applying for one.
Build a strong CGPA from 100 level. Academic record is the primary selection factor across nearly all schemes. Aim for 4.00 and above. This is the single most controllable factor in your scholarship strategy.
Choose priority disciplines if possible. Engineering, Sciences, Medicine, and Technology are favoured across most schemes. If you are in Arts or Humanities, target schemes with broader discipline acceptance (FSB, state scholarships, some private schemes) rather than discipline-restricted ones (Agbami, PTDF, MTN).
Prepare for qualifying exams. Most major schemes use qualifying exams as the primary filter. Past Question practice, English language proficiency, current affairs knowledge, and discipline fundamentals all matter.
Keep documents clean and consistent. Name, date, and LGA spellings must match across all documents. Resolve any discrepancies before applying.
Track application windows. Different schemes open at different times. Build a calendar with all the relevant windows so you do not miss any.
Frequently asked questions
Can I win multiple scholarships in the same cycle?
Generally yes, although some schemes prohibit “double-dipping” with another major scholarship. The “not currently on another scholarship” clause is common in award agreements. If you win two scholarships in the same cycle, you may need to choose one. Read each scheme’s terms carefully. State, LGA, university-internal, and small association scholarships often combine with corporate or federal scholarships without conflict.
Which scholarship has the highest award value?
The NNPC/Shell JV Cradle to Career Scholarship is among the highest, covering full school fees plus a stipend, with total value running into N1.5M+ per session at top universities. NDDC undergraduate awards also reach N1M+. PTDF Overseas Scholarship (for master’s and PhD) is the highest-value Nigerian scholarship overall but is postgraduate. For undergraduate value, NNPC/Shell JV and NDDC are the top tier.
What if I am studying Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences?
Several schemes are open to all disciplines: FSB Nigerian Award, state government scholarships, university internal bursaries, MTN Foundation Blind Students Scholarship (for visually impaired arts/humanities students), Tony Elumelu Foundation (entrepreneurship-focused, all disciplines). Build a strong CGPA and apply across these schemes. Discipline-restricted corporate schemes (Agbami, MTN Science/Tech, Shell SNEPCo) will not work for Arts students.
When should I start applying for scholarships?
Start in 100 level if possible. Some schemes (Shell SNEPCo, Chevron Agbami) accept 100 level applicants. By 200 level, you are eligible for most major schemes (MTN Foundation, FSB, NDDC). Do not wait until you are short on school fees; scholarship cycles take 3 to 6 months from application to disbursement, so start early and stay applying every year.
How do I track scholarship windows year-round?
Follow each scheme’s official social media account (FSB, NDDC, PTDF, MTN Foundation, Chevron Nigeria, Shell Nigeria, your state Ministry of Education). Subscribe to scholarship aggregator websites and newsletters that track Nigerian scholarship windows. Set monthly reminders to check the major portals: scholarship.fme.gov.ng (FSB), scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng (PTDF), nddc.gov.ng (NDDC), mtnf.com (MTN), and the corporate websites for Shell and Chevron.
Can foreign students or non-Nigerian citizens apply for these scholarships?
No. All the schemes listed above require Nigerian citizenship. Many also require state-specific indigeneship (LGA certificate). International students studying at Nigerian universities should look at their home country’s scholarship schemes, international funders (Commonwealth, Chevening, DAAD), and university internal aid for international students.
Lagos-based education writer covering JAMB, WAEC and NECO, and tertiary admissions across Nigeria. Chinedu tracks cut-off marks, admission lists, and school portal updates so students and parents do not have to.
