If you are a Nigerian student struggling with the cost of education, whether you are in secondary school, sitting for your WAEC or NECO exams, studying at a university, pursuing a postgraduate degree, or trying to complete a vocational training program, the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship might be exactly what you have been searching for.
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation is one of Nigeria’s most comprehensive scholarship-giving organizations, covering almost every rung of the educational ladder. Unlike many scholarship programs that only focus on university students, the foundation has created specific scholarship tracks for secondary school students, SSCE candidates, undergraduates, postgraduates, and even artisans and traders learning vocational skills. This makes it one of the most inclusive education support programs available to Nigerians today.
In this article, we are going to cover everything you need to know about the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship. From the history and mission of the foundation to detailed breakdowns of every scholarship category, award amounts, eligibility requirements, required documents, and a step-by-step guide to applying, this is your one-stop resource for everything related to this scholarship program.
About the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation is a Nigerian nonprofit organization that was established with one fundamental belief: education is the most important tool and investment for driving transformation and development in communities. The foundation believes that access to quality education is what empowers people with the skills and knowledge needed to escape poverty, and that it is what inspires young people with the ideas for leadership that the future requires.
Operating as a non-profit, the foundation works specifically to increase school enrollment and completion rates across Nigeria. Its programs are targeted at underserved communities and students from poor and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the very people who are most likely to drop out of school due to financial pressure rather than any lack of ability or drive.
The foundation runs its programs from its offices at the Third Floor of BASCO Plaza, located on Basorun/Idi-Ape Road in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. While its roots are in the southwest of the country, its scholarships are open to students from different states across Nigeria, depending on the specific program and eligibility criteria.
Beyond scholarships, the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation also runs outreach programs that supply educational materials to primary school pupils, awards grants to schools, vocational institutions, and nonprofits that share its educational vision, and funds capital projects targeted at improving school facilities in underserved and economically disadvantaged communities. The scholarship program is the most visible arm of the foundation’s work, but it operates as part of a much broader effort to fix the systemic barriers that prevent Nigerian children and young people from accessing quality education.
Why the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship Matters
Nigeria faces serious challenges when it comes to education. According to multiple reports, millions of Nigerian children are out of school, and many others who start their education do not finish it. Financial hardship is one of the leading reasons for school dropout across all educational levels, from secondary school students whose parents cannot afford school fees and WAEC examination registration costs, to university students who get admitted but cannot sustain themselves through their degree programs.
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation addresses this problem head-on by providing financial support at every stage of the educational journey. The foundation’s goal is not just to help a few exceptional students at the top of the academic ladder. It is to reduce dropout rates at every level by removing the financial barriers that force students out of school before they can complete their education.
This is why the foundation’s scholarship portfolio is so deliberately broad. A secondary school student in Oyo State with a gifted mind but a struggling family needs support just as much as a university student in Lagos with a first-class GPA. The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation has designed programs that recognize this reality and try to meet students at whatever stage they are in their educational journey.
All Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship Programs
The foundation offers five distinct scholarship categories. Here is a full breakdown of each one:
1. Secondary School Scholarship
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation secondary school scholarship program is designed to support economically disadvantaged students who are currently enrolled in Nigerian secondary schools. The scholarship is awarded annually and provides sessional financial support to help students cover a range of educational expenses.
Award amounts are structured based on the student’s level of secondary school. Junior secondary school (JSS) students receive a sessional prize of N50,000, while senior secondary school (SS) students receive N75,000. These funds can be used to cover tuition and school fees, books and supplies, and transportation costs.
To be eligible for the secondary school scholarship, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in a government-accredited secondary school in Nigeria.
- Demonstrate genuine financial need.
- Meet any additional criteria specified for the current application cycle.
Applications for the secondary school scholarship are processed annually, typically from June to August. The required documents include a completed application form and a signed letter of recommendation. The foundation provides a downloadable reference letter template on its website to make the process easier for applicants who may not know what format a recommendation letter should follow.
2. SSCE Scholarship (WAEC and NECO Examination Support)
The SSCE scholarship is one of the more unique programs in the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation’s portfolio because it targets a very specific and often overlooked financial pain point: the cost of registering for and sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
Every year, thousands of Nigerian secondary school students are unable to write their final examinations not because they have not studied or are not capable, but simply because their families cannot afford to pay for examination registration. This effectively locks students out of accessing higher education and formal employment, even after years of hard work in school. The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation started its SSCE scholarship program in 2018 specifically to address this barrier.
The inaugural cohort of the WAEC/NECO scholarship produced 10 winners drawn from communities in Oyo State and Osun State. Since then, the program has continued to support students annually.
To be eligible for the SSCE scholarship, applicants must:
- Be registered to write the WAEC or NECO examination in a government-accredited school.
- Have completed at least five years of secondary school education.
- Demonstrate genuine financial need.
The SSCE scholarship is a one-time financial assistance award rather than a recurring sessional grant. Applications are welcome and processed from July to November each year, covering students preparing for the examinations that take place from April to June/July of the following year.
3. Undergraduate Scholarship
The undergraduate scholarship is the most prominent and widely sought-after program in the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation’s scholarship portfolio. It offers financial support to economically disadvantaged students who are currently studying at universities in Nigeria.
Selected awardees receive a cash prize of N100,000 to cover a wide range of educational expenses. This includes tuition and university fees, room and board, books and academic supplies, and transportation costs. The award is designed to provide meaningful support that covers the real costs students face in keeping up with their university education.
Eligibility requirements for the undergraduate scholarship are clearly defined. To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a full-time undergraduate student in the second year of study (200 level) or above at a Nigerian university.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5 or its equivalent on whichever grading scale their institution uses.
- Not be a current beneficiary of any other scholarship or study grant.
- Demonstrate genuine financial need.
The 2025/2026 academic year undergraduate scholarship required all applications and supporting documents to be submitted on or before 30th May 2025. Applications are reviewed by the scholarship panel, supporting documents are verified independently, and shortlisted candidates are then invited for an interview before the final selection is made. This multi-stage process ensures that the scholarship goes to students who are both genuinely needy and genuinely qualified.
In addition to the main annual undergraduate scholarship, the foundation also runs Special Undergraduate Scholarships that are sponsored by private individuals and targeted at specific groups or regions. An example is the 2024 Undergraduate Scholarship for Law Students from Ekiti and Oyo States in Public Universities. These special scholarships are available throughout the year and are announced separately.
All undergraduate scholarship applications can be submitted online through the official application form on the foundation’s website, or by downloading the application form, completing it, and sending it by email to scholarships@woleogunyemifdn.com.
4. Postgraduate Scholarship
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation postgraduate scholarship program is designed for graduate students in Nigerian universities who combine academic excellence with a proven record of social impact and community engagement. This makes the postgraduate scholarship distinct from the undergraduate award in one important way: it is not just about financial need and academic performance. It also rewards students who are actively contributing to their communities in meaningful ways.
Like the undergraduate scholarship, the postgraduate scholarship offers a cash prize of N100,000 to selected awardees. This money can be applied toward tuition and university fees, room and board, books, research materials, and transportation expenses.
To be eligible for the postgraduate scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a full-time postgraduate student at any Nigerian university.
- Be involved in social impact activities or community organizing of some kind.
- Not be a current beneficiary of any other scholarship or study grant.
- Demonstrate genuine financial need.
The inclusion of the social impact criterion is an intentional design choice by the foundation. The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation is not just investing in students who do well academically in isolation. It is investing in future leaders who are already showing that they care about the people around them and are actively working to make things better for their communities. This reflects the foundation’s broader mission of inspiring young people with ideas for leadership that the future requires.
Required documents for the postgraduate scholarship include a completed application form, a signed letter of recommendation using the foundation’s downloadable reference form, and a certified copy of academic transcripts. Applications can be submitted online through the foundation’s website or by email.
5. Vocational Scholarship
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation vocational scholarship is one of the most socially thoughtful programs in the foundation’s portfolio, precisely because it acknowledges something that many scholarship programs ignore: not everyone’s path to economic freedom runs through a university degree.
The vocational scholarship was created to support artisans, traders, and skill-based workers to enroll for and complete technical or vocational education programs in Nigeria. The covered training areas are broad and include carpentry, bricklaying, hairdressing, plumbing, automobile mechanics, fashion design, electronics repair, and photography, among others.
Selected awardees under the vocational scholarship program receive between N50,000 and N75,000 to cover the cost of their vocational training. This is not a small amount in the context of the Nigerian vocational training market, where these funds can often cover a significant portion or even the full cost of an artisan apprenticeship or a short technical training course.
Eligibility for the vocational scholarship is straightforward. Applicants must be either currently enrolled in a vocational training program or wishing to enroll in one. The scholarship is open to anyone who meets this criterion and demonstrates a genuine need for financial support to access or complete vocational training.
Unlike the secondary school and undergraduate scholarships, which have specific annual application windows, the vocational scholarship accepts applications throughout the year. This makes it more accessible to applicants who may become aware of the program at any point during the year rather than having to wait for a specific window.
Required documents include a completed application form and a signed letter of recommendation using the foundation’s reference form template. Applications can be submitted by email to scholarships@woleogunyemifdn.com.
Full Scholarship Award Summary
Here is a quick reference summary of all Wole Ogunyemi Foundation scholarship award amounts across the different categories:
- Junior Secondary School Scholarship: N50,000 per session
- Senior Secondary School Scholarship: N75,000 per session
- SSCE Examination Scholarship (WAEC/NECO): One-time financial assistance covering examination registration costs
- Undergraduate Scholarship: N100,000 cash prize
- Postgraduate Scholarship: N100,000 cash prize
- Vocational Scholarship: Between N50,000 and N75,000
These awards are paid to cover tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and in the case of vocational students, the direct cost of their technical training.
Required Documents for All Scholarship Applications
While specific document requirements vary slightly between scholarship categories, here is a general list of what most applicants will need to prepare:
- Completed application form: Available online on the foundation’s website or as a downloadable PDF that can be completed and emailed in.
- Signed letter of recommendation: The foundation provides a downloadable reference letter template for each scholarship category. You should ask a teacher, lecturer, school administrator, or community leader who knows you well to complete and sign this form on your behalf.
- Certified copy of academic transcript: Required for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants. This should be your most recent academic transcript showing your current grades and CGPA.
- Copy of WAEC or NECO result: Required for undergraduate applicants as proof of secondary school completion.
- Recent passport photograph: Required as part of the standard application form for most categories.
- Personal biodata: Including your full name, date of birth, state of origin, local government area, gender, phone number, email address, and residential address.
- Academic history: Details of your current school enrollment including institution name, faculty, department, course of study, matriculation number, current level, and CGPA.
For postgraduate applicants specifically, the foundation also places emphasis on evidence of social impact involvement. If you have been involved in community service projects, nonprofit organizations, student government, or other forms of organized community work, you should highlight this clearly in your application and be prepared to discuss it at the interview stage.
For vocational applicants, the requirements are simpler: a completed application form and a signed letter of recommendation are the primary documents needed.
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Selection Process
Understanding how the foundation selects its scholarship recipients can help you prepare a stronger application. Here is how the process generally works:
Application Review
Once the application deadline passes, the foundation’s scholarship panel reviews all submitted applications. Every application goes through this review stage, and only complete applications with all required documents are considered. Incomplete applications are typically not forwarded for review. This means that getting your documents together before the deadline is not optional. Missing even one document can cost you the opportunity entirely.
Document Verification
After the initial review, the foundation independently verifies the supporting documents submitted by applicants. This verification step is taken very seriously, and the application form itself includes a declaration where applicants authorize the foundation to contact their schools, examination bodies, and personal references to verify any information provided. Any misrepresentation or omission of a material fact in the application will result in disqualification.
Interview Stage
Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview before the final selection is made. The interview is the foundation’s opportunity to learn more about each candidate as a person, to verify their financial need, understand their academic journey and goals, and assess whether the scholarship will genuinely make a difference to their ability to continue their education. Being shortlisted for an interview is a strong sign that your application is competitive, but the interview itself is where the final decisions are made. Prepare carefully for it.
Final Selection and Notification
After interviews are completed, the scholarship panel makes its final selections. Successful applicants are notified, and the foundation may publish the names of beneficiaries on its website and other official publications. This public recognition is something applicants consent to by completing the declaration section of the application form.
How to Apply for the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship
The application process for the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship is straightforward and fully accessible to anyone with internet access. Here is how to apply, step by step:
Step 1: Identify the Right Scholarship Category
Before you apply, make sure you are applying for the scholarship category that matches your current educational status. Secondary school students should apply for the secondary school scholarship, WAEC/NECO candidates should apply for the SSCE scholarship, university students should apply for the undergraduate scholarship, and so on. Each category has its own application form and its own eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Check the Current Application Window
Each scholarship category has its own application timeline. Secondary school scholarships are processed from June to August. SSCE scholarships accept applications from July to November. Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships typically have annual deadlines, such as the 30th May 2025 deadline for the 2025/2026 undergraduate scholarship. Vocational scholarships accept applications throughout the year. Always verify the current deadline before you begin your application to make sure you are within the active window.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Before you fill in the application form, gather all the required documents for your category. Download the reference letter template from the foundation’s website and give it to your referee well in advance of the deadline. Do not wait until the last few days to do this, as getting a signed letter of recommendation can take time. Also request your certified academic transcript from your institution’s academic records office as soon as possible, since this can sometimes take days or weeks to process.
Step 4: Fill in the Application Form
Complete the application form carefully. Every field must be filled in accurately and honestly. The form asks for your personal biodata, academic history, previous qualifications, and recent academic results. Read each question carefully and take your time with your responses. The declaration at the end of the form confirms that everything you have written is true and accurate, and you should only sign it when you are satisfied that this is the case.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
You can apply in one of two ways. You can submit your application directly online through the interactive form on the relevant scholarship page of the official Wole Ogunyemi Foundation website. Alternatively, you can download the printable application form, complete it, and send it by email to scholarships@woleogunyemifdn.com along with all required supporting documents. Either method is accepted.
If you submit online, you will see a confirmation message on screen once your application has been received successfully. If you apply by email, make sure you receive a confirmation response before assuming your application has been logged. Keep copies of everything you submit.
To begin your application or to learn more about all the available scholarship programs, visit the official Wole Ogunyemi Foundation scholarships page.
Important Tips to Improve Your Application
The Wole Ogunyemi Foundation reviews a large number of applications for each scholarship cycle. Here are some practical things you can do to make your application as strong as possible:
Be Honest About Your Financial Situation
The foundation’s scholarships are explicitly targeted at students with genuine financial need. Do not downplay or exaggerate your situation. Write honestly and specifically about the financial challenges your family faces and why the scholarship support would make a concrete difference to your ability to continue your education. The foundation’s verification process is thorough, and any inconsistency between what you write and what your documents show can work against you.
Choose the Right Referee
Your letter of recommendation carries significant weight. Choose someone who knows you academically and personally, who can speak credibly to both your academic ability and your financial circumstances, and who will take the time to complete the reference form properly. A generic reference letter from someone who barely knows you will not help your application. A specific, detailed recommendation from a teacher, lecturer, or school administrator who has witnessed your hard work and circumstances firsthand is far more valuable.
Apply Early
The foundation’s deadlines are firm. Applying even a day after the deadline means your application will not be considered. Aim to submit your application at least one week before the deadline so that if there are any technical issues with the online form or delays in getting your documents together, you have time to resolve them. Last-minute applications also tend to be rushed and are more likely to contain errors or missing information.
Ensure Your Documents Are Complete and Legible
Uploading blurry or illegible scans of your transcript or WAEC result is one of the most common ways applicants inadvertently weaken their own applications. Make sure every document you upload or attach is clear, legible, and complete. If your transcript is being certified by your institution, check that it carries the institution’s official stamp and the signature of the appropriate academic officer.
Maintain Your CGPA
For undergraduate applicants, the minimum CGPA of 3.5 is a hard requirement. If your current CGPA is below this threshold, you are not eligible for the main undergraduate scholarship. Focus on improving your academic performance so that you meet this requirement by the time the next application cycle opens.
Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Grants and Outreach Programs
Beyond individual student scholarships, the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation also runs several other programs that benefit the broader educational ecosystem in Nigeria:
Grants for Schools and Organizations
The foundation awards financial grants to primary schools, secondary schools, vocational institutions, and nonprofit organizations that share its vision for educational development in underserved communities. These grants help institutions improve their facilities, resources, and capacity to serve students from poor backgrounds. If you are a school administrator or run an educational nonprofit, the foundation’s grants program is worth exploring.
Outreach Programs for Primary School Pupils
Recognizing that many primary school pupils cannot benefit directly from scholarships that require a certain level of formal enrollment, the foundation runs outreach programs that supply educational materials directly to primary school pupils in underserved communities. These materials include books, stationery, and other supplies that help keep children engaged with learning even when their families cannot afford to buy these things themselves.
Capital Projects
The foundation also funds targeted capital projects aimed at improving school facilities in economically disadvantaged communities. These projects focus on primary and secondary schools and are designed to address the physical infrastructure gaps that make it harder for students in underserved areas to access quality education.
Contacting the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation
If you have questions about the scholarship application process that are not addressed on the official website or in this guide, you can reach the foundation through the following channels:
- Phone: (+234) 09153868031
- Email (General Enquiries): info@woleogunyemifdn.com
- Email (Scholarship Applications): scholarships@woleogunyemifdn.com
- Address: Third Floor, BASCO Plaza, Basorun/Idi-Ape Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
The foundation is also active on social media platforms including Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube under the handle @WoleOgunyemiFdn. Following these accounts is a good way to stay updated on new scholarship announcements, special scholarship opportunities from private sponsors, and important deadlines.
Final Thoughts: Should You Apply for the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship?
If you are a Nigerian student at any level of education from secondary school through postgraduate study, or if you are a young artisan or trader trying to complete vocational training, and financial hardship is making it difficult for you to stay in or complete your program, then the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation Scholarship is absolutely worth applying for.
What makes this scholarship program stand out is its breadth and its intentionality. The foundation clearly understands that education in Nigeria is under pressure at every level, and it has designed programs that address that pressure at each stage of the journey. A student who misses out on the secondary school scholarship can come back and apply for the undergraduate scholarship. A young person who does not go to university can still access the vocational scholarship. The foundation has tried to leave as few gaps as possible.
The award amounts, while not enormous, are meaningful in the Nigerian context. N100,000 covers a significant portion of annual university costs for many students at public institutions, and the vocational awards of N50,000 to N75,000 can often fund an entire training program for artisans and traders seeking to build marketable skills.
Start by identifying which scholarship category applies to your current situation. Then check the current deadline for that category, gather your documents, and submit a complete and honest application as early as you can. The foundation takes its selection process seriously, and a well-prepared application significantly improves your chances of being shortlisted for an interview.
To apply for any of the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation scholarship programs and access the official application forms for each category, visit the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation official scholarship application portal. All the information you need to begin your application is available there, including downloadable application forms and reference letter templates for each scholarship category.
Education is the most powerful investment you can make in your future, and the Wole Ogunyemi Foundation believes the same. Take advantage of this opportunity while it is available.
