Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship 2026 | How to Apply

A landmark ₦1 billion scholarship has just been launched in Nigeria and it could pay your entire university tuition at one of the country’s most innovative digital universities. The Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship, announced on March 11, 2026, by the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, will fund 1,000 Nigerian students to complete their undergraduate degrees at Miva Open University completely free of charge.

This detailed guide covers everything you need to know: the inspiring story behind the scholarship, full eligibility requirements, available programs, how to apply, and expert tips for writing a personal statement that stands out. Whether you are a recent secondary school graduate, a working adult seeking a degree, or a parent supporting an aspiring student, this article has you covered.

1. Overview: What is the Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship?

The Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship is a transformative fully funded scholarship programme established through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation (TOF) and Miva Open University, Nigeria’s first operational private online university. Launched on March 11, 2026  the first anniversary of Gbemisola Olowolafe’s passing  the initiative represents one of the largest privately funded education scholarships in recent Nigerian history.

The scholarship targets students who have strong academic potential but face financial barriers to accessing higher education. Beyond tuition, the initiative is designed to enable scholarship recipients to focus entirely on their academic development without the anxiety of funding constraints.

2. Who Was Gbemisola Olowolafe? The Story Behind the Scholarship

To truly understand the significance of this scholarship, one must understand the person it honours. Mrs Gbemisola Olutayo Olowolafe was a woman of remarkable character  a biologist, philanthropist, devoted mother, grandmother, and passionate advocate for the power of education. She was the beloved wife of Dr Tunji Olowolafe, the founder of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation and Chairman of Deux Project Ltd.

Gbemisola was deeply committed to causes that uplift others, particularly in the areas of education, the fight against genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and cancer, and the broader empowerment of communities. Her vision was to see a Nigeria and a world where financial circumstances could never prevent a determined student from accessing quality education.

Mrs Olowolafe passed away on March 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with leukemia. The scholarship was launched exactly one year later, on the first anniversary of her passing, as a tribute to her enduring values and an expression of her husband’s resolve to carry her work forward.

The Olowolafe family has a long history of investment in education. Under Dr Tunji Olowolafe’s leadership, the family has committed over ₦210 million annually to faculty development, research funding, and infrastructure at Ekiti State University (EKSU), which was recently ranked Nigeria’s top state university by Times Higher Education. The Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship is the latest and most expansive expression of this commitment.

In addition, the Gbemisola Olowolafe Foundation  established by the couple’s son, Olufunbi focuses on three pillars: funding scientific research, advocating for health awareness, and building a Nigerian genetic database to close the gap in global medical research. At the Ekiti State University convocation, the foundation disbursed ₦60.5 million in grants to 121 first-class graduates, awarding ₦500,000 to each.

3. About the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation (TOF)

The Tunji Olowolafe Foundation (TOF) is a Nigerian non-profit philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming communities through education, healthcare, technology, and agriculture. Founded by Dr Tunji Olowolafe also the Chairman of Deux Project Ltd  the foundation focuses on strategic human capital development by expanding opportunities for young people and underserved communities across Nigeria.

TOF’s key programmes include:

• Scholarships — funding talented students from secondary school through university
• Healthcare support — providing medical access to underserved populations
• Digital literacy programmes — equipping communities with technology skills
• Agriculture initiatives — supporting food security and rural development
• Research funding — backing scientific and academic research in Nigerian institutions

The Foundation’s broader vision aligns perfectly with the Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship: ensuring that every talented Nigerian, regardless of socioeconomic background, has a clear and supported pathway to higher education and professional success.

For more information, visit olowolafefoundation.org or contact: hq@olowolafefoundation.org | +234 812 610 1336.

4. About Miva Open University

Miva Open University is Nigeria’s first operational private online university, licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). It was established on March 10, 2023, by the uLesson Group under the leadership of Sim Shagaya — a technology entrepreneur and founder of one of West Africa’s leading edtech platforms. The university is physically located at 1059 O.P. Fingesi Road, Mabushi, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

Miva was built on a core mission: making quality university education flexible, accessible, and affordable for students across Nigeria and beyond, regardless of their geographic location or personal circumstances. The 2025 Miva Matriculation Ceremony welcomed over 8,000 new students, underscoring the university’s rapid growth since its founding.

Key distinguishing features of Miva Open University include:

• Fully online delivery — study from anywhere with an internet connection
• Examinations administered at physical centres across Nigeria, with proctored arrangements for international students
• Undergraduate tuition starting from just ₦300,000 ($560) per year
• Flexible per-semester payment plans — no hidden charges
• Standard 4-year Bachelor’s degree duration — same as traditional universities
• Admission open to students from all countries worldwide
• Admission entry requirement: WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB with five credits including English and Mathematics
• Application is completely free

Miva’s partnership with the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation forms part of its broader commitment to widening access to higher education and ensuring that financial constraints never prevent talented students from earning a degree.

Contact Miva Open University: +234 700 044 4000 | WhatsApp: +234 913 230 0000 | Email: help@miva.university

5. Scholarship Benefits: What Does It Cover?

The Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship is designed to eliminate the primary financial barrier to university education. Here is a breakdown of what scholarship recipients receive:

Full Tuition Coverage

100% of undergraduate tuition fees at Miva Open University are covered for the full 4-year duration of the degree programme.

6. Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship, applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements. Meeting the minimum threshold does not guarantee selection, as the scholarship is competitive and limited to 1,000 recipients over five years.

Mandatory Requirements

• Active Admission Offer from Miva Open University — You must have already been offered admission to study at Miva before you can apply for this scholarship. Secure your admission first.
• Demonstrated Financial Need — Applicants must provide appropriate documentation proving that they cannot independently fund their education. This is a core eligibility criterion.
• Strong Academic Record or Demonstrated Potential — Applicants should have a solid academic history OR show clear evidence of the ability to perform at university level.
• Compelling Personal Statement — A personal statement outlining academic goals, career aspirations, and how the scholarship will support the applicant’s development is mandatory.

Additional Advantageous Criteria (Not Mandatory but Weighted)

• Community Service Participation — Involvement in community development, volunteering, or social impact initiatives will strengthen your application.
• Leadership Roles — Having held student council positions, club leaderships, or any other leadership roles is viewed positively by the selection committee.
• Extracurricular Activities — Sports, arts, science competitions, or other extracurricular engagements that demonstrate a well-rounded character are considered.

Admission Requirements for Miva Open University (Pre-Requisite)

7. Programs & Courses Available at Miva Open University

Scholarship recipients can pursue any of the programmes offered at Miva Open University. The university organises its academic offerings across four schools, each providing career-ready, NUC-accredited undergraduate degrees. The May 2026 admission cohort is currently ongoing.

Tuition fees at Miva start from ₦300,000 (~$560) per year for undergraduate programmes  the scholarship covers this entirely for all 1,000 selected recipients. For context, the May 2026 cohort’s admission is currently open, making this the ideal time to secure your admission and apply for the scholarship simultaneously.

8. Required Documents

While Miva Open University manages the scholarship application process, you should prepare the following documents for a complete and competitive application. All documents should be clear, accurate, and submitted in the format requested by the portal.

• Valid Admission Offer Letter from Miva Open University
• WAEC / NECO / GCE / NABTEB Result(s)
• Proof of Financial Need (bank statements, parental income evidence, affidavit, etc.)
• Personal Statement / Essay
• Most Recent Academic Transcripts or School Reports
• Valid National ID Card or International Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Passport-Size Photographs
• Evidence of Community Service or Leadership Roles (if applicable)
• Reference/Recommendation Letter (optional but beneficial)

9. Step-by-Step Application Guide

The scholarship application is managed entirely through Miva Open University’s official online portal. Follow these steps carefully for the best chance of success:

10. Tips to Write a Winning Personal Statement

The personal statement is the single most influential part of your Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship application. Since the scholarship specifically honours someone who believed deeply in education as an equaliser, a personal statement that authentically reflects your journey, challenges, and ambitions will resonate most strongly with selectors.

Structure Your Personal Statement Effectively

• Opening paragraph: Start with a personal anecdote or vivid description of why education matters deeply to you. Avoid generic openings like “I have always wanted to study…”
• Financial situation: Be honest and specific about your financial circumstances. The scholarship is for students who genuinely need support — describe your situation clearly and with supporting evidence.
• Academic goals: Clearly state the programme you are applying for and why you chose it. Show that you have researched the curriculum and understand what studying at Miva will involve.
• Career ambitions: Articulate a clear, specific career vision. Scholarship committees favour applicants who know why they are studying and what impact they intend to create.
• Connection to Gbemisola’s legacy: Acknowledge the spirit behind the scholarship. Gbemisola Olowolafe believed education should equalise opportunity regardless of background — show how your story embodies this belief.
• Community and leadership: Highlight any involvement in community service, student leadership, or extracurricular activities. Even small contributions count.
• Closing: End with a forward-looking statement about your commitment to making the scholarship investment worthwhile — both for yourself and for your community.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Writing a vague or generic statement that could apply to any scholarship
• Overstating or fabricating financial circumstances — selectors can verify
• Neglecting to proofread — grammatical errors undermine credibility
• Copying templates from the internet — authenticity is paramount
• Exceeding the word limit or failing to follow submission instructions
• Applying without securing your Miva admission offer first

11. Gbemisola Miva Scholarship vs Other Nigerian Scholarships

How does the Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship compare to other notable scholarship opportunities available to Nigerian students? Here is an honest comparison:

The Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship holds a unique position: it is entirely private-sector driven, focuses on removing financial barriers for the most deserving students, and leverages the flexibility of online digital education to eliminate barriers of geography and mobility. This makes it one of the most accessible and impactful scholarship opportunities currently available to Nigerians.