Dangote Group National Merit Scholarship: How to Apply
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 07, 2026 • African Scholarships & Student Funding
The Aliko Dangote Foundation launched a NGN 1 trillion scholarship scheme in December 2025 to support 1.3 million Nigerian students over 10 years, starting with 45,000 scholars in the 2026 cycle.
🎓 University students apply under the Dangote STEM Scholars category, which funds 30,000 undergraduates in public universities and polytechnics.
💵 STEM Scholars get tuition support based on their institution's approved fees.
📩 Selection runs through a fully digital, merit-based system linked to JAMB, NIMC and NUC records.
⏱️ The scheme runs for 10 years, growing to 155,000 scholars a year by its fourth year.
What the scheme covers
The Aliko Dangote Foundation launched a national scholarship scheme in Lagos on December 11, 2025, committing NGN 100 billion a year for 10 years, a total pledge of NGN 1 trillion. The scheme targets 1.3 million students across Nigeria's 774 local government areas over its lifetime, according to Business Day .
The first cohort starts in the 2026 cycle with 45,000 scholars. The Foundation plans to grow intake to 155,000 scholars a year by the fourth year of the programme. Selection runs on a merit-based, fully digital system built with government partners, so there is no paper form or physical submission stage.
Three categories, one for university students
The scheme splits into three tracks, and only one funds university-level study.
| Category | Who it targets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars | 30,000 undergraduates in public universities and polytechnics | Tuition support based on the institution's approved fees |
| Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars | TVET trainees (per-category quota not yet published) | Study materials and technical tools |
| MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars | Girls in public secondary schools (per-category quota not yet published) | Uniforms, books and learning supplies, with priority for states with high out-of-school rates |
If you study at a Nigerian public university or polytechnic, the STEM Scholars track applies to you. Legit.ng confirms the 30,000 annual STEM undergraduate places.
Who checks your eligibility
The Foundation built the programme with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO as implementation partners. These agencies verify identity, admission status and academic records inside the digital application, which reduces forged documents and duplicate claims that older scholarship schemes struggled with.
Your National Identification Number links your bio-data to your JAMB registration and university admission record, so keep these details consistent across every platform you use.
Eligibility checklist
You study a STEM course at a public university or polytechnic recognized by NUC or NBTE.
You hold a valid National Identification Number.
Your JAMB registration and university admission details match your NIN record.
You meet the merit threshold the Foundation sets for your cohort and institution.
How to apply
Confirm your course and institution qualify under the STEM Scholars category before you start.
Gather your NIN, JAMB registration number, and matriculation or admission letter.
Watch the Aliko Dangote Foundation's official channels and your school's student affairs or bursary office for the portal opening announcement for your cohort.
Fill in the digital application with accurate personal, academic and institutional details once the portal opens.
Submit before the stated closing date and keep your phone number and email active, since selection results and disbursement both happen digitally.
Because the scheme only started with the 2026 cohort, some operational details, the exact portal address, document upload format and per-institution quotas, were still rolling out. Confirm current requirements with your university's student affairs office before you apply, and treat any site asking for payment to "process" your application as a scam. Nigeria's national merit scholarship programmes do not charge application fees.
Renewal and payment
STEM Scholars receive tuition support pegged to the approved fees of their institution and programme, rather than a flat national amount. Because the scheme runs for 10 years with fresh cohorts admitted every cycle, existing scholars should expect a renewal step each session rather than one lump payment covering an entire degree. Confirm renewal rules with your institution's scholarship desk once you hold an award, since the Foundation had not published full renewal terms at scheme launch.
Tips for a stronger application
Register or update your NIN early. Mismatched bio-data is one of the most common reasons digital scholarship applications get rejected in Nigeria.
Keep your JAMB profile and university records under the same name and date of birth.
Apply as soon as your cohort's portal opens. A merit-based system with fixed slots per category rewards early, complete submissions.
Do not pay anyone claiming to guarantee you a slot. Selection runs through the Foundation's partner agencies, not through agents.