If you’re a Nigerian student in a public university, polytechnic, or college of education, and school fees, accommodation, or basic living costs feel like a constant source of worry, the MTN Foundation Scholarship is one of the few funding opportunities that’s been running long enough—and consistently enough—to be worth taking seriously.
It isn’t a one-off award. It isn’t a vague “apply and hope” scheme either. It’s a structured, renewable programme that has supported thousands of students since 2010, and understanding exactly how it works can help you decide whether it’s worth your time this year.
What Is the MTN Foundation Scholarship?
The MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme is an annual programme run by the MTN Nigeria Foundation to recognise and support high-performing students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions. It isn’t a single scholarship—it’s three distinct categories, each designed for a different group of students.
MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship (STS) — running since 2010, for students studying science and technology-related courses.
MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS) — running since 2012, for blind students studying any course.
MTN Foundation Top 10 UTME Scholarship — introduced in 2020, for the ten highest-scoring candidates in that year’s UTME, as announced by JAMB.
One detail worth understanding early: this scholarship is renewable. Recipients don’t just receive a single payment—they continue receiving support annually until graduation, provided they maintain the required academic performance. That’s a significant advantage over many one-time scholarship awards.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
According to MTN’s official scholarships page, scholars under all three categories currently receive ₦300,000 annually, paid until graduation, as long as the recipient continues to meet the required CGPA and any upskilling requirements attached to the programme.
This amount has changed over time—it was previously ₦200,000 before being increased—so it’s worth confirming the current figure on MTN’s official portal before you apply, since award values can be reviewed from one year to the next.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility differs slightly across the three categories. Here’s how each one works.
MTN Science and Technology Scholarship (STS)
Institution: Open to students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions—universities, teaching hospitals, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Course of study: Open to students studying science and technology-related courses, as well as 400-level medical students.
Level of study: Applications are open to students who have completed their second-semester 200-level examinations and are moving into 300 level, or who are currently in 300 level. Medical students become eligible once they’ve completed their second-semester 300-level examinations and are moving into 400 level, or are currently in 400 level.
CGPA requirements:
- Students in public universities and colleges of education need a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4 or 3.5/5 (second class upper).
- Students in public polytechnics need a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (upper credit) from their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) programme, and must have secured admission into the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme.
- Direct Entry students need a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (upper credit) from their OND programme, and must have secured admission into 300 level (or third year) at a public university.
- Medical students need a minimum of a pass grade or its equivalent.
MTN Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS)
Institution: Open to students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions—universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Course of study: Open to any course of study.
Level of study: Open to 200-level and 300-level blind students. The exception is Law, which is a five-year programme—blind Law students can only apply once they reach 300 level.
CGPA requirements:
- Students in universities or colleges of education need a minimum CGPA of 2.5.
- Students in public polytechnics need a minimum CGPA of 2.0 from their OND programme, and must have secured admission into the HND programme.
MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship
This category works differently from the other two. MTN identifies the ten highest-scoring candidates in that year’s UTME, based on results officially announced by JAMB. It’s awarded regardless of the student’s chosen course of study or institution—public or private. If you’re among the top ten nationally, you don’t need to submit a separate application in the way the other two categories require; eligibility is determined directly from JAMB’s results.
How to Apply
Applications for the STS and SBS categories are submitted entirely online. The safest starting point is MTN’s official scholarships page at mtn.ng/scholarships, which links to the current application portal for that year’s cycle. There is no offline or paper-based application route, so be cautious of anyone asking you to apply through unofficial channels, a different-looking domain, or pay a fee to “process” your application—MTN does not charge applicants.
A general application typically involves:
- Confirming your eligibility against the category requirements above.
- Gathering your documents—commonly requested items include your admission letter, a valid student ID, your CGPA statement or transcript, recent passport photographs, and a means of identification such as your National ID, international passport, or driver’s licence.
- Completing the online form with your personal, institutional, and academic details.
- Submitting before the deadline, since MTN does not typically accept late applications.
- Waiting for verification—shortlisted applicants are usually contacted for an assessment test or further verification before scholarships are finalised.
Because application portals, exact document checklists, and screening steps can be updated from one cycle to the next, always confirm the current process directly on MTN’s official scholarship page before you begin.
Important Dates
MTN does not run this scholarship on a fixed calendar date every year—application windows are announced through MTN’s official channels, typically opening at some point during the academic year. Because timing varies, do not rely on a date you saw in a previous year’s article or on an unofficial website. Before you start preparing your documents, check MTN’s official scholarships page to confirm whether applications are currently open and when they close.
Tips for a Stronger Application
A few habits consistently help applicants avoid disqualification or missed opportunities:
Apply only through the official portal. MTN has flagged that some applicants have lost out by using unofficial links or being misled by scam pages claiming to be affiliated with the foundation. Several third-party websites circulate different portal addresses—always start from MTN’s official scholarships page rather than a link shared on social media or a blog, and never enter payment details anywhere in the process.
Confirm your CGPA calculation before applying. Grading systems differ slightly between institutions, so make sure you understand how your CGPA translates against MTN’s stated thresholds before you submit.
Keep your documents ready in advance. Scanned, clear copies of your admission letter, ID, and transcript save you from last-minute stress when the application window opens.
Don’t assume last year’s requirements still apply. Eligibility levels, award amounts, and required documents can be reviewed annually, so re-check the criteria each time you apply, even if you’ve applied before.
Maintain your CGPA after you’re awarded. Because the scholarship is renewable, falling below the required grade threshold in a later year can affect your continued eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can private university students apply?
For the Science and Technology and Blind Students categories, no—both are restricted to public tertiary institutions. The Top 10 UTME category is the exception, as it’s open regardless of institution type.
Is the scholarship only for STEM students?
No. Blind students studying any course can apply under the SBS category, and Top 10 UTME scholars qualify regardless of their course of study. Only the STS category is restricted to science and technology-related courses (plus medical students).
Is the scholarship renewable?
Yes. Recipients continue receiving the award annually until graduation, provided they maintain the required academic performance.
Do I need to reapply every year once I’m awarded?
This depends on MTN’s current renewal process for existing scholars, which can differ from the process for new applicants. It’s best to confirm this directly with MTN Foundation or check guidance provided after you’re awarded.
Final Thoughts
The MTN Foundation Scholarship has supported students for more than a decade, and its renewable structure makes it one of the more dependable options available to students in Nigerian public institutions. But “dependable” doesn’t mean “guaranteed”—eligibility criteria are specific, and missing a detail like your CGPA threshold or your level of study can disqualify an otherwise strong application.
If you meet the requirements for any of the three categories, the most useful thing you can do right now is bookmark MTN’s official scholarship page, prepare your documents in advance, and watch for the official announcement of the next application window—rather than relying on third-party sites for your deadline.
This article reflects information published on MTN Nigeria’s official scholarships page and was last reviewed against that source in 2026. Scholarship amounts, eligibility criteria, and application timelines are reviewed periodically by MTN Foundation, and the number of slots available can vary by cycle. Always confirm current details through MTN’s official scholarship portal before applying.
