10 Scholarships Nigerian Students Can Apply For Right Now (2026 Guide

If you're a Nigerian student hoping to fund your education without going into debt or draining your family's savings, you're not short of options — you're short of information. Every year, scholarship money goes unclaimed simply because students don't know these programmes exist, don't know how to apply properly, or find out about a deadline the day after it closes. This guide brings together ten scholarships currently open or opening soon to Nigerian students — covering undergraduate study in Nigeria, and fully funded postgraduate study abroad. For each one, we explain who qualifies, what it covers, and how to actually apply. Why Most Nigerian Students Miss Out on Scholarships Before we get into the list, it's worth understanding why so many qualified students never win a scholarship they were eligible for. It usually comes down to one of three things: they apply too late because they only heard about the programme close to the deadline; they submit incomplete documentation because they didn't prepare transcripts and reference letters in advance; or they simply never apply because they assumed the process was too complicated or too competitive for them. None of these are things you can't fix. The rest of this guide gives you a concrete list to work from, plus a preparation checklist at the end. 1. NNPC/Renaissance/TotalEnergies Joint Venture University Scholarship This is one of the most well-known undergraduate scholarships in Nigeria, sponsored by the NNPC-Renaissance Joint Venture (formerly associated with the old NNPC/Total scholarship scheme). It targets students already enrolled in accredited Nigerian universities, particularly in science, engineering, and technical fields relevant to the oil and gas sector. The scholarship typically covers tuition-related costs and provides an annual stipend. Who qualifies: Nigerian undergraduates in relevant technical and science-based disciplines, usually from 200 level upward, though exact year requirements can shift each cycle. How to apply: Applications open through the company's official careers or scholarship portal. Because timing changes yearly, the most reliable approach is to set a Google Alert for "NNPC Renaissance scholarship" and check the official portal directly rather than relying on third-party recruitment sites, some of which post outdated information. 2. PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is a Federal Government agency whose mandate includes building indigenous capacity in petroleum-related technology. Its In-Country Scholarship Scheme is one of the more generous Nigerian scholarships, supporting postgraduate study within Nigerian universities in courses relevant to the oil and gas industry — including engineering, geosciences, and related technical fields. Who qualifies: Nigerian citizens with a first degree who intend to pursue a relevant Master's programme within Nigeria. Some cycles of the scheme also support overseas postgraduate st