MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme in Nigeria: Eligibility and Application

What the scheme funds

The MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme has run as one of MTN Nigeria's flagship corporate social investment programs since 2010. It funds undergraduates in Nigerian public tertiary institutions through annual, renewable awards rather than a one-time payment, so an award follows you from the year you win it through to graduation as long as you keep your grades up.

Award categories and amounts

The scheme runs three award tracks. General undergraduate (STS) scholarships went to 400 students in the prior cycle and rose to 500 students for the 2026 cycle, each worth N300,000, roughly 190-200 USD at exchange rates through 2025, annually until graduation; check the current cycle's published slot count rather than treating any single year's figure as fixed. A dedicated track for blind students (SBS) funds roughly 100 recipients a year at N300,000 annually, the same rate as the general track. Confirm the exact current-cycle slot count on the MTN Foundation site. The top 10 scorers in the JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) each year automatically qualify for an award without going through the general selection process, according to the MTN Foundation .

Who is eligible

You need to be a full-time undergraduate at a Nigerian public university, polytechnic, or college of education, generally from 300 level for the Science and Technology track, or after completing 200-level exams, and from 200 level for the blind students' track. University and college of education applicants need a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.5 or its equivalent, a 2:1 classification, while polytechnic applicants need a GPA of at least 3.0, an upper credit. Some cycles narrow eligibility further to specific levels or fields, such as STEM or medicine, so read the current year's call carefully rather than relying on a previous year's criteria.

Blind students apply through the dedicated track, with slightly different level requirements, and do not compete against sighted applicants for the same slots.

How the application timeline works

MTN Foundation opens the portal once a year, typically announced through MTN's own social media channels and press statements rather than continuous rolling admission. The window between opening and closing tends to run several weeks, not months, so watch the official channels closely once the school year starts rather than checking sporadically. Missing the window means waiting a full year for the next cycle.

Why the top 10 UTME track works differently

Unlike the general and blind student tracks, the top 10 UTME scorer award does not require a separate scholarship application. JAMB releases the national UTME results, MTN Foundation cross-checks the top 10 scorers against its own criteria, and qualifying candidates get contacted directly. You still need admission to a Nigerian public tertiary institution to receive the payout, since the award funds your studies rather than your exam performance alone.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants often apply at 100 or 200 level, not realizing the general track starts at 300 level, which leads to an automatic rejection. Others submit with a CGPA below the stated threshold hoping the scheme reviews borderline cases, which it generally does not, since the cut-offs published each cycle are treated as fixed. Read the specific year's eligibility notice in full before applying rather than relying on details from a previous year's scheme.

Keeping the award through graduation

The scholarship renews automatically each year as long as you maintain the CGPA or GPA threshold that qualified you in the first place. A drop below the minimum in any session can pause or end your funding, so treat the scholarship as tied to sustained academic performance rather than a one-time achievement.

What if your details change mid-award

If you change your course, transfer institutions, or take a leave of absence while holding the scholarship, report it to MTN Foundation directly rather than assuming your award continues unaffected. Renewal each year checks that you remain a registered, full-time student at the same institution and course you were awarded for, and an unreported change can pause your payment until you clarify your status.

How it fits alongside other Nigerian scholarships

Nothing in the MTN Foundation scheme's rules stops you from holding another scholarship or bursary at the same time, such as a state government bursary or NELFUND funding, though some other schemes set their own rules about combining awards. Check the terms of any other funding you receive to confirm it allows stacking with a corporate scholarship like this one before you assume you can hold both.

Documents you need

• Admission letter and current student ID from your institution

• Academic transcript or result slip showing your CGPA or GPA

• JAMB result slip, for the top 10 UTME scorer track

• A valid means of identification

• Passport photograph and any supporting medical documentation, for the blind students' track

How to apply

Applications open once a year on MTN's own scholarship portal. Go to the official MTN Foundation scholarships page, confirm the scheme is open for the current cycle, then complete the eligibility screening form before you get access to the full application. Avoid third-party sites asking for payment to process your application. MTN Foundation does not charge a fee to apply, and the official portal is the only place your documents should go.