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Student Grants & Scholarships in Nigeria 2026

Money for study you don't repay — scholarships and grants, and how they beat loans.

By Belmadeng Editorial · Updated 23 Sept 2026

Please note

Belmadeng is an independent study platform. This is general information, not financial advice. Legitimate grants never charge an application fee — be very wary of any “grant” that asks you to pay to apply, claim or “process” funds. Programmes, amounts and application windows change constantly — verify every programme on its own official channel before applying or sharing your details.

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Grants vs loans for study

For study, scholarships and grants are money you don't repay — always better than borrowing if you can win one. The main student loan is NELFUND (interest-free, but repaid); a scholarship has no repayment at all.

Types of student funding

  • Government scholarships (federal & state).
  • Agency scholarships tied to sectors (e.g. oil & gas).
  • Private/corporate & foundation scholarships.
  • International scholarships for study abroad.

PTDF: a flagship

A leading Nigerian government scholarship is PTDF — fully-funded overseas MSc/PhD (UK, Germany, France, Malaysia) and in-country study in oil & gas related fields. If your field fits, it's one of the most generous awards available.

Other scholarships

Look also at state government bursaries, company/foundation scholarships (energy, banking, telecoms), and international programmes. Many are field-agnostic, unlike PTDF.

How to win them

Keep strong grades, prepare documents and a statement of purpose, watch deadlines, and apply to several. See how to apply and how to find grants.

Tips

  • Scholarships first, loans after.
  • Check PTDF if you're in an oil & gas field.
  • Apply widely and early.

Frequently asked questions

Are there grants for students in Nigeria?
Yes — scholarships and grants (non-repayable) from government, agencies, private foundations and international bodies. A leading government one is PTDF for oil & gas related fields.
What's the difference between a scholarship and a student loan?
A scholarship is not repaid; a student loan (like NELFUND) is repaid — interest-free in NELFUND's case, but still repaid. Chase scholarships first.
What is the PTDF scholarship?
A Federal Government oil & gas scholarship offering fully-funded overseas MSc/PhD and in-country study — see our PTDF guide.
Where can I find student scholarships?
Government (federal and state) portals, agency schemes, company and foundation programmes, and international scholarships — watch deadlines and apply to several.
How do I win a student scholarship?
Keep strong grades, prepare your documents and statement of purpose, watch deadlines, and apply widely and early.

Related grants guides

PTDF scholarships · NELFUND (loan) · How to find grants · All grants guides

Reviewed: 23 Sept 2026 · Author: Belmadeng Editorial. Independent guide, not financial advice. Programmes and windows change — always verify each programme on its own official channel.