If you are searching for a scholarship you can still apply for in Nigeria in 2026, there are several options worth checking. Some are for students entering Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions, while others fund postgraduate study in the UK.
As of 13 September 2026, the strongest confirmed opportunities include the Indomie Scholarship Program, Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship, Strivad Foundation Scholarship, Chevening Scholarship, and Commonwealth Scholarships. Their eligibility rules and deadlines are different, so the right choice depends on your level of study and what you want the scholarship to cover.
It is also important to separate scholarships that are open from popular schemes whose 2026 application windows have already closed. This can save you from wasting time on old application links.
Which scholarships are open now in Nigeria in 2026?
The following opportunities have application windows that are still open as of 13 September 2026.
| Scholarship | Study level | Main funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indomie Scholarship Program | New tertiary students | Full tuition | September 30, 2026 |
| Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship | Postgraduate | ₦250,000 | September 30, 2026 |
| Strivad Foundation Scholarship | Undergraduate, 200 level+ | ₦200,000 | September 30, 2026 |
| Chevening Scholarship | Master’s | UK government-funded award | October 6, 2026 |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship | Master’s | UK-funded scholarship | October 20, 2026 |
| Commonwealth PhD Scholarship | PhD | UK-funded scholarship | October 20, 2026 |
The deadlines above come from the scholarship providers or their official programme administrators.
Which scholarship is available for undergraduate students in Nigeria in 2026?
For students starting tertiary education in the 2026/2027 academic session, the Indomie Scholarship Program is one of the clearest opportunities available now.
How does the Indomie Scholarship work?
The Indomie Scholarship Program is open to Nigerian students entering tertiary education in the 2026/2027 academic session. Applicants must have admission into a public or state-owned university, polytechnic, college of education, or other qualifying specialised institution.
The scholarship covers full tuition fees for the duration of the programme. The award can be renewed each year as long as the recipient meets the required academic conditions.
One useful feature is that applicants can begin the registration process before uploading their WAEC, NECO and JAMB results. The results can be added later before the application deadline.
The application is free, and the deadline is 30 September 2026. Shortlisted applicants are expected to take a computer-based test before physical verification and final selection.
Who can apply for the Indomie Scholarship?
You should consider this scholarship if you:
- Are a Nigerian student entering tertiary education in 2026/2027.
- Have admission into a public or state-owned institution.
- Have the required WAEC or NECO and JAMB results, or can provide them before the deadline.
- Complete your application by September 30, 2026.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to newly admitted students who need help paying tuition.
Which postgraduate scholarship is available in Nigeria in 2026?
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship is another scholarship with a September 2026 deadline.
The programme is designed for full-time postgraduate students studying at Nigerian universities. Applicants need to demonstrate genuine financial need, academic ability and involvement in social impact or community organising.
Selected applicants receive a ₦250,000 cash award that can help with educational expenses such as tuition and fees, accommodation, books, supplies and transportation.
Applicants are required to submit documents including an academic transcript, undergraduate degree certificate, CV, a 300-word personal statement and a recommendation letter. The deadline for the 2026/2027 academic year is 30 September 2026.
This scholarship is therefore more suitable for someone already enrolled in a postgraduate programme than for a student seeking first-degree funding.
Which scholarship gives Nigerian undergraduates ₦200,000 in 2026?
The Strivad Foundation Scholarship Award is open to students in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
According to the published 2026/2027 scholarship announcement, successful candidates receive a ₦200,000 grant. Applicants must be Nigerian citizens studying at a public tertiary institution and must be in 200 level or above at the time of application.
Applicants are also required to submit an official attestation letter from the Head of Department. The stated deadline is 30 September 2026, with applications submitted by email to the foundation.
This is worth considering if you are already in university and need financial support rather than a scholarship for a new admission.
Which fully funded scholarship is open to Nigerians in 2026?
If your goal is to study outside Nigeria, two major UK scholarship programmes are currently open: Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarships.
Is the Chevening Scholarship open for Nigerians in 2026?
Yes. The 2027/2028 Chevening Scholarship is currently open to Nigerian applicants.
The official Chevening Nigeria page states that applications close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The programme is funded by the UK government and supports eligible applicants pursuing one-year master’s degrees in the UK.
Chevening is aimed at people who can demonstrate leadership potential and a clear intention to make an impact after their studies.
Applicants must meet several requirements. These include being a citizen of an eligible country, having an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a UK master’s programme, having at least two years of work experience, and agreeing to return to their country of award for at least two years after the scholarship.
For a Nigerian professional who already has work experience and wants a master’s degree in the UK, Chevening is one of the most important scholarships to consider before the October deadline.
Is the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship open now?
Yes. Applications for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are currently open.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission says the application deadline is 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026, with successful scholars expected to begin their studies in the UK in September or October 2027.
The programme is designed for candidates from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to afford postgraduate study in the UK. Nigeria is an eligible Commonwealth country.
Unlike an ordinary university scholarship, applicants do not simply send an application directly to the CSC and wait for selection. Commonwealth Master’s applicants must apply through an approved nominating route. The CSC lists the Federal Scholarship Board as Nigeria’s national nominating agency, while selected organisations may also nominate candidates under specific routes.
Is the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship open to Nigerians?
Yes. The 2027/2028 Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is also open.
Applications close at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. The scholarship is for full-time doctoral study in the UK beginning in September or October 2027. Nigeria appears on the official list of eligible countries.
Applicants normally need at least an upper second-class degree, or a lower second-class degree combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification. They also need supporting documents, references and a supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor.
The funding is substantial. The scholarship covers approved tuition fees and airfare, and provides a monthly living allowance. The current published rate is £1,712 per month, or £2,000 for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area.
Which scholarships have already closed in 2026?
Knowing which scholarships are not open is just as useful as finding open ones.
The PTDF 2026/2027 In-Country Scholarship Scheme accepted applications from 27 April to 5 June 2026. It covered undergraduate, master’s and PhD awards in Nigerian public universities, with eligible fields including engineering, sciences, information technology, environmental disciplines, management and other approved areas.
The MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 is also no longer accepting applications. Although MTN’s scholarship page confirms that the 2026 programme offers awards worth ₦300,000 and expanded the number of new scholarships, its application portal currently states that submission is closed.
The Federal Ministry of Education’s online scholarship portal also currently displays no active scholarships in its searchable opportunities section. That does not mean Nigerians have no scholarship options. It means applicants need to check individual programmes and international scholarship administrators as well.
How do you choose the right scholarship in Nigeria?
Start with your current education level instead of applying randomly.
If you are entering university, polytechnic or college of education for the 2026/2027 session, the Indomie Scholarship is one of the most relevant open options.
If you are already an undergraduate, the Strivad Foundation scholarship may fit better because it requires applicants to be at least 200 level.
If you are studying for a master’s degree in Nigeria, the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation is worth checking.
If you have finished university and want to study for a master’s degree abroad, Chevening and the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship are stronger matches.
For doctoral researchers, the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship deserves immediate attention because its October 20 deadline is approaching.
The key is to read the eligibility rules before preparing the application. A scholarship that offers more money is not necessarily the best opportunity if you do not meet its academic or admission requirements.
What documents do you need for a scholarship application?
The exact requirements differ, but you should prepare the documents that appear repeatedly across scholarship applications.
These can include:
- Academic transcripts.
- WAEC or NECO results.
- JAMB result where required.
- University admission letter.
- Degree certificates.
- CV.
- Personal statement.
- Recommendation letters.
- Research proposal for some PhD applications.
- Passport or national identification documents where required.
- Proof of employment or work experience for some international scholarships.
For Commonwealth applications, supporting documentation is particularly important. The CSC says incomplete documentation can make an application ineligible, and PhD applicants need a supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor.
Do not wait until the final week to request recommendation letters or transcripts. Those documents can take longer to obtain than the application form itself.
How can you avoid scholarship scams in Nigeria?
Never assume a scholarship is genuine simply because the advert appears on social media.
Start by finding the organisation’s official website. Check whether the scholarship is listed there and whether the application link leads to an official domain.
Be especially careful with anyone asking for money to “activate” a scholarship, guarantee selection or release an award. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission explicitly states that it does not charge applicants to apply through its online system.
The same principle applies to Nigerian scholarship opportunities. Use the official programme page rather than relying on a WhatsApp message, forwarded social media post or an old blog article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which scholarship is available now in Nigeria in 2026?
As of 13 September 2026, confirmed open opportunities include the Indomie Scholarship Program, Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship, Strivad Foundation Scholarship, Chevening, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships and Commonwealth PhD Scholarships. Deadlines range from September 30 to October 20, 2026.
Which scholarship is open now for undergraduate students in Nigeria?
The Indomie Scholarship Program is open to Nigerian students entering tertiary education in the 2026/2027 academic session. It covers full tuition at qualifying public or state-owned institutions and closes on September 30, 2026.
Which scholarship is open now for postgraduate students in Nigeria?
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship is accepting applications for the 2026/2027 academic year until September 30, 2026. It is for full-time postgraduate students at Nigerian universities and provides a ₦250,000 award.
Is Chevening open for Nigerians in 2026?
Yes. Applications for the 2027/2028 Chevening Scholarship are open to eligible Nigerian applicants until October 6, 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Applicants need an undergraduate degree, at least two years of qualifying work experience and must meet the programme’s other eligibility requirements.
Is the Commonwealth Scholarship open to Nigerians in 2026?
Yes. Commonwealth Master’s and Commonwealth PhD applications for the 2027/2028 academic year are open, with a CSC deadline of October 20, 2026. Nigerian applicants must also follow the relevant nominating route, because the CSC does not accept direct applications for these agency-nominated awards.
Is MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 still open?
No. The MTN Foundation scholarship application portal currently says that submission is closed, even though the main scholarship page contains information about the 2026 awards. Applicants should therefore wait for the next application cycle rather than use an old application link.
Is the PTDF scholarship still open in 2026?
The 2026/2027 PTDF In-Country Scholarship application period has closed. PTDF states that applications ran from April 27 to June 5, 2026, so applicants should watch the official PTDF scholarship portal for the next cycle.
Are scholarship applications free in Nigeria?
Many legitimate scholarships have no application fee, but applicants should always check the specific programme’s official instructions. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, for example, states that it does not charge applicants to apply through its online system.
What should you do before the next scholarship deadline?
Do not wait until the final day.
If you qualify for a September deadline, start the application immediately and make sure every required document is ready. For Chevening and Commonwealth applications, the October deadlines give postgraduate applicants a little more time, but strong applications still require careful preparation.
Most importantly, bookmark the official scholarship pages and check them before trusting information shared elsewhere. Scholarship deadlines change, application portals close, and old adverts can remain online long after a programme has ended.
For a Nigerian student searching for funding in September 2026, the immediate priority is clear: check the Indomie, Wole Ogunyemi and Strivad Foundation opportunities before September 30, then consider Chevening before October 6 and the Commonwealth Master’s or PhD Scholarships before October 20 if you meet their postgraduate requirements.