Every year, thousands of Nigerian undergraduates miss life-changing opportunities simply because they did not apply in time or did not know where to look. The MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 is one of those opportunities worth knowing about and one worth acting on quickly. Applications are currently open, and the deadline is May 31, 2026.
This is not a vague government promise with no structure. The MTN Foundation Scholarship is one of the most established private scholarship programmes in Nigeria, now in its 15th year of operation. It has a track record, a clear application portal, and defined eligibility criteria that are publicly available on MTN’s official website.
MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026: How to Apply, Who Qualifies, & What You Stand to Gain
The MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 targets 300-level STEM students, 400-level medical students, and blind students across Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions. With 400 slots available this cycle and an annual award of N300,000 per recipient, this is one of the more substantial undergraduate scholarship programmes currently accepting applications in Nigeria.
What the MTN Foundation Scholarship Covers
The scholarship is structured as a financial support package that addresses three core expenses: tuition fees, textbooks, and living costs. Each selected beneficiary receives N300,000 annually, and the funding is renewed every year until graduation, provided the student maintains the required academic standing.
This is not a one-time payment. The renewable nature of the award is one of its strongest features. A 300-level student who wins the scholarship in 2026 could receive support all the way through to their final year, as long as they keep their grades at the required level and comply with the foundation’s upskilling programme requirements.
For blind students selected under the dedicated Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS) category, the award amount is N200,000 annually. This distinction is worth noting before applying, as the two categories carry different benefit structures.
The Three Scholarship Categories in 2026
The 2026 programme runs three distinct tracks, and eligibility for each is defined separately.
Science and Technology Scholarship (STS): This is the main track, open to 300-level students studying STEM-related courses in Nigerian public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Medical students in 400 level at public universities and teaching hospitals are also eligible under this category. The 2026 edition is awarding 400 scholarships total, with 100 slots specifically set aside for medical students, a new distinction that was previously grouped under general STEM funding.
Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS): This track has been running since 2012 and is open to visually impaired students in 200 and 300 level across public tertiary institutions. It covers any course of study, not just science and technology. For blind students studying Law (a five-year programme), only 300-level students are eligible.
Top 10 UTME Scholarship: This is automatically awarded to the top 10 scoring candidates in JAMB’s UTME, as officially announced by JAMB. There is no application process for this track. The award begins from 100 level and runs until graduation at N300,000 annually, regardless of the student’s course of study or institution type (public or private).
Who Qualifies: Eligibility Requirements Broken Down
MTN Foundation is direct about its eligibility criteria, and you should verify your status against each condition before applying. Here is what the 2026 requirements look like, pulled directly from the official scholarship page.
Institution: You must be enrolled in a Nigerian public tertiary institution. This covers public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and for medical students, teaching hospitals. Private institutions are not eligible for the STS or SBS categories.
Level of study: STS applicants must either be currently in 300 level or have completed their second-semester 200-level examinations and be transitioning into 300 level. Medical applicants must be in 400 level or transitioning from 300 level. The foundation acknowledges that academic calendars vary across institutions, so both categories are accommodated.
Course of study: For STS, the course must be science or technology-related. Medical degrees at public universities and teaching hospitals now qualify under a dedicated sub-track. SBS applicants can study any course.
CGPA requirements: STS applicants in public universities and colleges of education need a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4 or 3.5 out of 5 (second class upper or credit). Polytechnic students must have a minimum of 3.0 (upper credit) from their OND and must have secured HND admission. Direct entry students need a 3.0 OND upper credit. Medical students need a minimum Pass grade or equivalent. SBS applicants in universities need a minimum CGPA of 2.5, and polytechnic blind students need a minimum of 2.0.
If you are not sure whether your CGPA meets the threshold, verify with your departmental result sheet before starting the application. Inaccurate data submitted during the process can lead to disqualification.
How to Apply for the MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026
The application process is entirely online through the official MTN Foundation scholarship portal. There is no paper submission, no need to visit any MTN office, and no third-party agent or platform can process your application on your behalf. If any website is asking you to pay to apply, it is a scam.
The official portal URL is: apps.mtn.ng/scholarships/form
Here is how the process works, step by step.
Step 1 — Visit the official portal. Go to apps.mtn.ng/scholarships/form directly. Do not go through any third-party link. Confirm you are on the correct domain before filling in any personal information.
Step 2 — Select your scholarship category. Choose between STS, SBS, or confirm whether you qualify under the UTME track. Selecting the wrong category is a common error that can void your application.
Step 3 — Fill in your personal and academic details. You will need your full name, date of birth, contact information, institution name, department, level of study, and CGPA. Make sure every figure matches your official student records.
Step 4 — Upload your documents. Required documents typically include your student ID or matriculation letter, your most recent academic transcript or result, and a passport photograph. For SBS applicants, documentation confirming visual impairment status is also required.
Step 5 — Review and submit. Read through every field carefully before final submission. Once submitted, corrections may not be possible. The portal closes on May 31, 2026, and late submissions will not be considered.
What Happens After You Apply
MTN Foundation handles selection internally through a merit-based review process. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further verification of their submitted documents and academic records. The foundation takes document authenticity seriously, and any false statements in an application are grounds for disqualification, even after an award has been made.
Successful candidates are notified through their registered contact details. The foundation also conducts a verification exercise after selection, which can take up to 90 days per the application terms. Beneficiaries who accept the award waive any rights to claim against MTN Foundation in the event that the verification extends beyond that period.
Beyond the financial award, the 2026 beneficiaries will also participate in the foundation’s Skill Up initiative, which includes mentorship sessions, technical training, and employability workshops. This is built into the programme, not optional.
Maintaining the Scholarship After You Win It
Winning the award is only half the work. The scholarship is renewable annually, but renewal is conditional. STS recipients must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 to continue receiving support each year. SBS recipients must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5.
If your grades fall below the threshold in any academic session, your renewal for the following year may not be approved. The programme is designed for students who remain consistently high-performing, so the academic pressure does not disappear once you are selected.
Compliance with the foundation’s upskilling and reporting requirements is also part of staying in the programme. Beneficiaries who do not fulfil these obligations risk losing their funding before graduation.
Why This Scholarship Matters in Nigeria’s Current Education Landscape
University education in Nigeria has become increasingly difficult to fund at the household level. The combination of rising school fees, declining purchasing power of the naira, and the cost of textbooks and accommodation has put significant financial pressure on students and their families across all income brackets, not just the poorest households.
A N300,000 annual scholarship does not cover everything, but it makes a material difference. At many state universities, N300,000 can cover tuition and a significant portion of accommodation costs for an academic session. For students who are academically capable but financially stretched, this kind of consistent support can be the difference between completing a degree and dropping out.
The MTN Foundation Scholarship has been operating since 2010 and has supported thousands of students in that period. That track record, combined with the fact that it comes from one of Nigeria’s largest and most stable corporate entities, gives this programme a level of reliability that many scholarship initiatives lack.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
A number of qualified applicants miss out on this scholarship not because they failed to meet the criteria, but because of errors in the application process. Here are the most common ones worth avoiding.
Applying through unofficial channels. The only valid application route is apps.mtn.ng/scholarships/form. Scholarship aggregator sites, WhatsApp groups, and social media pages may share the link, but no external platform can submit your application for you.
Submitting incorrect CGPA figures. MTN Foundation verifies academic records. If your stated CGPA does not match your transcript, your application will be disqualified. Cross-check your figures from your official result sheet, not memory.
Selecting the wrong category. Medical students should confirm whether they fall under the STS medical sub-track or the general STS track. Blind students who are not in 200 or 300 level may not qualify under SBS. Read the eligibility criteria for your specific situation.
Waiting until the last day. Portals often experience high traffic near deadlines. Submitting early gives you time to correct any errors and avoids the risk of technical issues on May 31.
Final Assessment: Is It Worth Applying?
If you are a 300-level STEM student or a 400-level medical student at a Nigerian public institution with the required CGPA, the answer is straightforward: yes, apply before May 31, 2026. The scholarship is legitimate, the award is substantial relative to typical academic costs, and the process is entirely free to complete.
For blind students in 200 or 300 level studying at a public tertiary institution, the same applies. The SBS category has been running for over a decade and has supported hundreds of students in that period.
The competitive nature of the selection means that a strong academic record is essential, but so is accuracy and completeness in the application itself. Students who take the process seriously, verify their eligibility, submit accurate documents, and apply early give themselves the best possible chance. The official portal is at apps.mtn.ng/scholarships/form. Applications close May 31, 2026.
