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Scholarship Opportunities Nigerian Students Should Know About
University is expensive, but there is help out there. Here are well-known scholarships and loans for Nigerian students, plus tips for writing an application that stands out.
🏛️ Government support
🎓
NELFUND student loans
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund gives interest-free loans for tuition at public institutions, plus upkeep support. You repay after you finish school and start working.
Interest-freePublic schools
🇳🇬
Federal Scholarship Board (BEA & others)
The Federal Government offers local awards and Bilateral Education Agreement scholarships to study abroad in partner countries.
Undergrad & postgrad
🛢️
PTDF scholarships
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund supports students in oil-and-gas related courses, in Nigeria and overseas.
Science & engineering
🏙️
State scholarship boards
Most states run bursaries or scholarships for indigenes. Check your state’s scholarship board.
Indigenes
🏢 Company scholarships
📱
MTN Foundation Scholarship
For students in public tertiary institutions. In 2026 it offered ₦300,000 a year for 200- and 300-level students in science and technology courses, and support for blind students.
Science & tech
⛽
NNPC/TotalEnergies & Shell
Long-running awards for undergraduates in public universities, usually selected by aptitude test.
Aptitude test
🌊
Agbami & other oil companies
Several oil and gas joint ventures fund students in medicine, engineering and sciences.
Merit-based
✈️ Study abroad
🇬🇧
Chevening (UK)
Fully funded one-year master’s degrees for future leaders with work experience.
Master’s
🌍
Commonwealth Scholarships
Master’s and PhD study in the UK for Commonwealth citizens.
Master’s & PhD
🎒
Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Full support at partner universities in Africa and abroad for talented students with financial need.
Undergrad & master’s
🇩🇪
DAAD (Germany)
Scholarships for postgraduate study and research in Germany.
Postgrad
⚠️
Never pay to apply
Real scholarships never ask you to pay to apply or to “secure your slot”. Apply only on the official website of the organisation.
Start earlyDeadlines come fast. Keep a list of scholarships and their opening months.
Prepare your documentsAdmission letter, results, school ID, passport photo, NIN and a recommendation letter — scanned and ready.
Tell your real storyIn your essay, explain your goals and the problems you want to solve. Be specific and honest.
Practise aptitude testsMany Nigerian scholarships use tests. Practise maths, English and general knowledge.
Follow every instructionWrong file formats, missing documents or late submissions knock out many good students.
✅
Check the details
Amounts, eligibility and deadlines change each year. Always check the official website or social media page of each scholarship before applying.
💬
Join the conversation
Have you won a scholarship? Share your tips for others. · Which scholarship should every Nigerian student know about?
Frequently asked questions
Is NELFUND a loan or a scholarship?
NELFUND is an interest-free student loan, not a scholarship. Students repay it after graduation once they are employed.
Do I need to pay to apply for a scholarship?
No. Genuine scholarships do not charge application fees. Anyone asking for payment to secure a scholarship is likely a scammer.
Which scholarships are for students in Nigerian universities?
Popular ones include the MTN Foundation Scholarship, NNPC/TotalEnergies, Shell, Agbami, PTDF, Federal Scholarship Board awards and state scholarship boards.
Written by the askJBoss team from public information and our own research; last updated October 2026. Prices, dates and rules change — always confirm with the official source. Spotted something that has changed? Tell us in the comments.
