MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students (MTN SBS)
For blind and visually impaired students studying in Nigerian public tertiary institutions, the cost of higher education can feel like an almost impossible mountain to climb. Between tuition fees, accommodation costs, the price of specialized learning materials, and assistive technology, the financial pressure can be overwhelming. That is exactly why the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students (MTN SBS) was created, and it remains one of the most important and consistent scholarship programs available to visually impaired undergraduates in Nigeria today.
If you are a blind student currently enrolled in a Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education, or if you know someone who is, this article is going to walk you through everything you need to know about the MTN SBS scholarship in 2026. From the history of the program and what it offers, to the exact eligibility criteria, the documents you need to prepare, and how to submit your application step by step, we have covered every detail you need to make a strong application.
What Is the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students (MTN SBS)?
The MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students, commonly referred to as the MTN SBS, is one of three scholarship categories under the broader MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme in Nigeria. The other two categories are the MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship (MTNF STS) for STEM students, and the MTN Foundation Top 10 UTME Scholarship for the highest-scoring JAMB candidates each year.
The MTN SBS was officially launched in 2012 with a clear and specific purpose: to provide consistent financial support to blind and visually impaired students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions who are capable of academic achievement but face significant financial barriers in pursuing their education. The program is managed by MTN Nigeria through its Foundation arm, which has been dedicated to education, health, and economic development across the country since its establishment.
What makes the MTN SBS unique compared to many other scholarship programs is its broad academic scope. Unlike STEM-only scholarships, the MTN SBS is open to blind students studying any course or discipline. Whether you are in the arts, social sciences, law, engineering, business, or any other field of study, you can apply as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria. This inclusive design reflects the Foundation’s understanding that visually impaired students deserve support regardless of what they have chosen to study.
Since its inception in 2012, the MTN SBS has consistently supported hundreds of blind and visually impaired students across Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions every year, providing them with the financial stability needed to focus on their studies rather than worry about how to fund the next semester.
How Much Money Does the MTN SBS Scholarship Offer?
The financial support offered by the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students is one of the most meaningful parts of the program. As of the 2026 edition, successful blind student applicants receive a scholarship award of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) annually. This upgrade in award amount reflects the MTN Foundation’s commitment to keeping pace with the rising cost of education in Nigeria.
This annual award is designed to help cover core academic expenses including tuition fees, books and academic materials, accommodation costs, and other related study needs. For blind students who may also require specialized learning tools, adaptive technology, or additional academic support services, this annual award provides critical financial relief.
The scholarship is renewable. This means you do not have to apply fresh every single year once you have been selected. As long as you continue to meet the required academic standards and remain enrolled full-time in your institution, your scholarship is renewed annually until you graduate. This continuity of support is one of the most valuable features of the program, giving students real peace of mind throughout the duration of their degree.
In total, the MTN Foundation awards 100 blind students scholarships under the SBS category each year. Given the size of Nigeria’s student population, this is a competitive program, but it is by no means out of reach for a well-prepared and academically serious applicant.
Who Manages the MTN Foundation Scholarship Program?
The MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme is a flagship initiative of the MTN Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of MTN Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s largest and most widely used telecommunications companies. The Foundation operates under MTN’s broader Youth Development Cause (YDC), which drives its investment in education, youth empowerment, and skills development across the country.
The MTN Foundation has been running scholarship programs since 2010, making this one of the longest-running private-sector scholarship initiatives in Nigeria. The Foundation partners with Nigerian public tertiary institutions across the country to identify, evaluate, and support eligible students, and the scholarships are administered through the MTN online scholarship portal.
The MTN Foundation’s education investments are part of a wider commitment to human capital development in Nigeria. By supporting students at the tertiary level, particularly those who are financially vulnerable or face additional barriers like visual impairment, the Foundation aims to contribute to a more educated and empowered generation of Nigerians.
Eligibility Requirements for the MTN SBS Scholarship 2026
Before you start your application, you need to make sure you qualify. The MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students has a set of clearly defined eligibility criteria. Meeting all of them is mandatory, and the selection panel reviews applications against these standards strictly. Let us go through each requirement in detail.
Nationality and Institution of Study
The MTN SBS scholarship is exclusively for Nigerian students. You must be a Nigerian national currently enrolled as a full-time student in a Nigerian public tertiary institution. Eligible institutions include public federal and state universities, public polytechnics, and public colleges of education. Students at private universities or private polytechnics are not eligible for this scholarship.
Visual Impairment Requirement
This scholarship category is specifically designed for blind and visually impaired students. Applicants must have a recognized visual impairment that qualifies them as blind students under the definitions used by their institution and supporting medical documentation. You will be expected to provide documentation confirming your visual impairment as part of the application process.
Course of Study
One of the most applicant-friendly aspects of the MTN SBS is that it is open to blind students studying any course or discipline at their institution. There are no subject restrictions. Whether you are studying Law, English, Accounting, Computer Science, Mass Communication, Economics, Education, Business Administration, or any other program, you are eligible to apply. This is a deliberate and important policy choice that ensures blind students are supported across all academic pathways, not just STEM fields.
Level of Study
The MTN SBS is open to students in their 200 level (second year) and 300 level (third year) at the time of application. The program recognizes that academic calendars are not perfectly aligned across all Nigerian public institutions, so the eligibility window is fairly practical. Students who have completed their second-semester 200-level examinations and are transitioning into 300 level are also eligible to apply, as are students currently in 300 level.
There is one specific exception worth noting. Blind students studying Law, which is a five-year degree program in Nigeria, are only eligible to apply at the 300 level. Students in the 200 level of a Law program are not eligible under the MTN SBS criteria.
Minimum CGPA Requirements
Academic performance is assessed through your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). The minimum CGPA requirement for blind students applying to the MTN SBS varies slightly depending on your institution type, and it is set at a more accessible level compared to the STEM scholarship, reflecting the program’s focus on inclusion.
Blind students enrolled in public universities and colleges of education must have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 out of 5.0. Blind students enrolled in public polytechnics must have a minimum CGPA of 2.0 from their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) program and must have secured admission into the Higher National Diploma (HND) program.
These CGPA thresholds are intentionally set at a level that rewards genuine academic effort without being exclusionary. The MTN Foundation understands that blind students may face additional academic challenges related to their disability, and the CGPA requirements for the SBS reflect that understanding.
Enrollment Status
You must be a full-time student. Part-time students are not eligible to apply for the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students. Your enrollment status will be verified through your student ID, institutional records, and other documents submitted with your application.
Benefits of the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students
The value of the MTN SBS scholarship goes beyond the N300,000 annual financial award. Being recognized as an MTN Foundation Scholar carries genuine academic and personal significance. Here is a fuller picture of what the scholarship provides.
The annual award of N300,000 covers education-related costs including tuition fees, accommodation expenses, books, academic supplies, and other costs associated with your study. For visually impaired students who may also need to invest in assistive learning technology or additional tutorial support, this funding can make a direct difference in day-to-day academic life.
The scholarship is renewable annually until graduation, meaning that successful applicants do not have to restart the competitive process each year. As long as you maintain your academic standing and remain enrolled full-time, you continue to receive support throughout your undergraduate program. This continuity is particularly important for students managing the financial pressures of multi-year degree programs.
Being named an MTN Foundation Scholar also carries reputational value. It is a mark of recognition from one of Nigeria’s most respected corporate entities, and it signals to future employers, academic institutions, and professional communities that you are a student of ability and determination. Many MTN Foundation scholars have gone on to build strong careers in both the public and private sectors, and the scholarship often forms an important part of their professional story.
There is also the motivational dimension. Receiving the MTN SBS scholarship reinforces your commitment to your education and provides a psychological boost that can matter enormously during demanding semesters. Knowing that a major institution has invested in you and believes in your potential is a form of support that cannot be quantified purely in financial terms.
Required Documents for the MTN SBS Application
To apply successfully, you need to gather the right documents before you sit down to fill in the application form. Submitting incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected or delayed, so it is worth being thorough and organized. Here are the documents you will need to prepare.
You will need a valid student identification card issued by your institution. This confirms your enrollment status and institutional affiliation. You will also need your most recent academic transcript or result sheet showing your current CGPA. For polytechnic students applying based on OND results, you need your OND result as well as documentation confirming your admission into the HND program.
You need to provide your O-Level result(s) from WAEC, NECO, or equivalent examination bodies. A passport-sized photograph of yourself will also be required for your profile on the application portal. You need to provide proof of your visual impairment, which is typically a medical report or certificate from a recognized medical professional or hospital confirming the nature and degree of your visual impairment.
Your admission letter from your institution is needed to confirm that you are a properly admitted student. You will also be required to write a personal statement, typically not more than 500 words, explaining why you deserve the scholarship and how receiving it will impact your academic journey. This personal statement is one of the few places in the application where your individual voice and story come through, so take it seriously and write something genuine and specific.
Make sure all documents are clear, legible, and properly formatted for digital upload. Blurry photographs, incomplete transcripts, or cropped documents can cause delays in processing or lead to outright disqualification.
How to Apply for the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students 2026
The application process for the MTN SBS is conducted entirely online through the official MTN Foundation scholarship portal. There is no physical submission of documents. Here is the step-by-step process to follow.
The first step is to visit the official MTN Foundation Scholarship portal. You can access the application directly through the MTN Nigeria Scholarships official page. This is the only official and legitimate platform for applications. Be wary of third-party sites that claim to accept applications on behalf of MTN Foundation, as the scholarship is applied for exclusively through the official MTN portal.
Once you are on the portal, you will need to register or log in to your account using your email address and a password. After logging in, you will see a 12-digit PIN on your profile page. Copy this PIN and click on the “Apply for Scholarship” option to begin your application.
At this point, you will be asked to select the scholarship category you are applying for. Choose the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students (MTNF SBS) from the list of available scholarship types. Make sure you select the correct category, as applying to the wrong one will result in your application being invalid.
Next, you will go through an eligibility screening questionnaire. This is a quick set of questions designed to confirm that you meet the basic requirements before allowing you to proceed to the full application form. Answer every question honestly and accurately. If the system determines that you are eligible, you will be prompted to proceed to the main application form.
In the main application form, fill in your personal information carefully. This includes your full name, date of birth, state of origin, contact details, and other personal data. After that, complete the academic information section with your institution’s name, department, faculty, level of study, and your current CGPA. Fill in your next of kin information as well.
Write your personal statement in the designated field. As mentioned earlier, this is typically limited to 500 words. Use this space wisely. Explain your background, describe the challenges you have faced as a visually impaired student, outline your academic goals, and explain specifically why you need this scholarship and how it will help you complete your education. Be honest, be specific, and be yourself.
Upload all required supporting documents in the formats accepted by the portal. Review everything carefully before submitting. Once you click the submit button, your application is final. The system does not allow edits after submission, so double-check all entries for accuracy before you hit that button. It is also a good idea to print or save a copy of your completed application form for your personal records.
Applications are reviewed by the MTN Foundation scholarship committee, and successful candidates are notified through their registered email addresses. Results are typically announced within a few months of the application deadline closing.
Application Deadline for MTN SBS 2026
The MTN Foundation Scholarship portal for the 2026 edition is now open. Based on patterns from previous years, the application window typically runs from the early months of the year through to around April or May. The exact closing date can vary slightly from year to year, so it is critical that you check the official MTN scholarships page regularly for the confirmed deadline for the 2026 cycle.
Do not wait until the last few days to start your application. Gathering your documents, writing your personal statement, and filling in all the required information takes time, especially if you need assistance with any part of the process due to your visual impairment. Starting early gives you the space to fix any issues that arise and submit a complete, accurate application.
How Does the MTN SBS Compare to the Other MTN Scholarships?
To fully understand where the MTN SBS fits in the larger picture, it helps to know how it relates to the other two scholarship categories under the MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme.
The MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship (MTNF STS) has been running since 2010 and is open to 300-level students studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, as well as 400-level medical students. It awards 400 students annually with N300,000 each. Unlike the SBS, the MTNF STS is restricted to specific STEM courses and requires a higher CGPA of 3.0/4 or 3.5/5 for university students.
The MTN Foundation Top 10 UTME Scholarship, which was added to the program in 2020, is a completely automatic scholarship awarded to the ten highest-scoring candidates in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as announced by JAMB each year. These students do not need to apply. They are automatically awarded N300,000 annually from their 100 level through to graduation, provided they maintain the required grades.
The MTN SBS is unique in several important ways. It is the only category that specifically targets students with disabilities. It is also the only category that is completely open regardless of course of study, making it the most inclusive of the three scholarship types. And while 100 slots may seem fewer than the 400 available under the STS, it is worth remembering that the pool of eligible applicants is also smaller, which can actually make this a more achievable scholarship for a qualified and well-prepared blind student applicant.
Tips to Improve Your MTN SBS Application
Even though the eligibility bar is more accessible for the SBS than for the STEM scholarship, the competition is still real. Here are some practical tips to help you put together the strongest possible application.
Start with your personal statement. This is often the deciding factor between two applicants with similar academic profiles. Write your statement in your own voice. Tell a real story. Talk about what it has meant to you to pursue higher education despite the additional challenges you face as a visually impaired student. Be specific about what the scholarship money will be used for and how it will change your situation. Reviewers read many applications, and a genuine, thoughtful personal statement stands out clearly from generic or vague responses.
Make sure your academic records are in order before you apply. Your CGPA needs to meet the minimum threshold, and your transcript needs to clearly show the grades and credit hours for each course you have taken. If there are any discrepancies or unclear entries on your transcript, address them with your institution’s records office before submitting.
Prepare your proof of visual impairment documentation well in advance. If you need a new medical report or certificate, arrange for one from a qualified medical professional at a recognized health facility. Medical documents from credible sources add weight to your application and help the scholarship committee verify your eligibility quickly.
Check the portal regularly for any updates, changes to the deadline, or new instructions. The MTN Foundation does update its scholarship guidelines from time to time, and staying informed about the latest requirements will help you avoid submitting an application that is missing a newly added requirement.
If you are applying with the help of an assistant or support person due to your visual impairment, make sure that the information entered accurately reflects your own details and academic records. Every piece of information submitted is your responsibility, and discrepancies between your application and your supporting documents can raise questions that delay or disqualify your application.
What Happens After You Are Selected?
If you are selected as an MTN Foundation SBS scholar, you will receive a formal notification through your registered email address. The notification will include details about the scholarship disbursement process, any additional documentation that may be required for verification, and information about the induction process for new scholars.
The scholarship award is paid annually. Beneficiaries are typically brought together at an induction and awards ceremony organized by the MTN Foundation, where scholars are formally recognized and welcomed into the MTN Foundation scholarship community. This event is also an opportunity for scholars to network with MTN Foundation staff, fellow scholars from other categories, and alumni of the program.
After your first year, the scholarship is renewed based on your continued enrollment and academic performance. You need to maintain the minimum CGPA and remain a full-time student at your institution. If your academic performance falls below the required standard, renewal may be affected, so it is important to stay focused and maintain your grades throughout your undergraduate program.
Why This Scholarship Matters
Nigeria has one of the largest populations of people with visual impairments in Africa. For many blind students who make it into tertiary institutions despite enormous obstacles, staying enrolled and completing their degrees is a financial battle that runs parallel to their academic one. The cost of braille materials, screen-reader software, mobility aids, and specialized academic support is real and ongoing.
The MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students addresses this reality directly. It does not just reward academic excellence in the abstract. It puts money into the hands of visually impaired students who are actively working toward their degrees and gives them the financial breathing room to keep going. Over more than a decade since its launch in 2012, the MTN SBS has quietly changed the trajectories of hundreds of blind students across Nigeria, helping them complete degrees they might otherwise have had to abandon.
In a country where disability often translates into educational exclusion, a scholarship program that places blind students on equal financial footing with their sighted peers carries a significance that goes far beyond the naira value of the award. It is a statement that visual impairment is not a barrier to ambition, and that a major private-sector institution is willing to back that statement with real resources year after year.
Final Thoughts
If you are a blind or visually impaired student currently studying in a Nigerian public university, polytechnic, or college of education at the 200 or 300 level, the MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students (MTN SBS) 2026 is an opportunity you should take seriously and apply for without hesitation. The award of N300,000 per year, renewable until graduation, can make a real and lasting difference to your ability to complete your education and build the future you are working toward.
The application process is straightforward and free. The eligibility criteria are designed to be accessible rather than exclusionary. And the program has a well-established track record of selecting and supporting genuine students across Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions every single year since 2012.
Take your time to gather your documents, write a thoughtful and honest personal statement, and submit your application before the deadline. This scholarship exists for students exactly like you, and there is every reason to apply.
To begin your application today, visit the official MTN Foundation Scholarship portal on the MTN Nigeria website and select the MTN Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS) category to start the process. You can also check the same page for the latest information on the 2026 application deadline and any updated requirements.
