AGIP Scholarship For Nigerian Students 2026 | Apply Now
If you are a Nigerian graduate with a strong academic record and you have been thinking about pursuing a master’s degree either within Nigeria or at a reputable university abroad, the AGIP scholarship is one of the most attractive and consistently available postgraduate scholarship opportunities in the country. Jointly offered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, the NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is a fully funded scholarship that covers tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, books, field trips, and return economy airfare for overseas scholars, all for a one-year master’s degree program.
In this complete guide, we are going to walk you through everything you need to know about the AGIP scholarship in 2025 and 2026. We will cover what Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited is and its connection to ENI and NNPC Limited, explain both the local and overseas scholarship categories in full detail, list every eligible course of study, break down the financial benefits component by component, go through every eligibility condition, provide the full document checklist, explain the selection process including the aptitude test, and take you through the step-by-step application process on the Scholastica platform. We will also cover important warnings about scams and the mutual exclusivity conditions that apply between AGIP and other oil and gas scholarships in Nigeria.
About Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE)
Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, commonly abbreviated as NAE, is a Nigerian-registered energy company and a subsidiary of Eni S.p.A., the Italian multinational oil and gas company that is one of the seven largest oil corporations in the world. Eni was founded in Italy in 1953 and is headquartered in Rome. It operates in more than 60 countries worldwide. Agip, which stands for Azienda Generale Italiana Petroli, is Eni’s energy brand for its upstream operations and is the name most widely associated with the company’s activities in Nigeria.
NAE operates in Nigeria under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, which is the Nigerian government’s national oil company. The joint venture is formally referred to as the NNPC/NAE Production Sharing Contract, or NNPC/NAE PSC. The PSC governs the exploration and production activities of the partnership in Nigerian deep-water and frontier acreages, and all social investment activities undertaken by NAE in Nigeria, including the scholarship program, are conducted on behalf of the NNPC/NAE PSC.
NAE has been operating in Nigeria for several decades and has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas production. The company has also run its scholarship program continuously for many years, demonstrating a sustained long-term commitment to Nigerian human capital development as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility mandate. The programme is specifically described by NAE as being committed to the training and development of manpower as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Each year, NAE invites applications from suitably qualified and interested Nigerian graduates for the scholarship award scheme, which covers both local study in Nigeria and study at reputable overseas universities.
In the Nigerian scholarship landscape, NAE’s postgraduate scholarship is part of a broader ecosystem of NNPC Joint Venture scholarship programs that includes similar awards from Chevron Nigeria Limited, TotalEnergies, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, and ExxonMobil subsidiary Mobil Producing Nigeria. The AGIP scholarship is specifically administered by NAE on behalf of its PSC arrangement with NNPC Limited and is managed through the Scholastica scholarship management platform operated by Dragnet Solutions Limited.
The Two Categories of the AGIP Scholarship
The NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is offered in two distinct categories. Every applicant must choose which category they are applying for before beginning the application process. Here is a full explanation of both:
Category 1: Local Scholarship
The local scholarship category is for Nigerian graduates who have secured or are in the process of securing admission into a recognized Nigerian university for a one-year master’s degree program in the 2025 to 2026 academic session. Under the local scholarship, NAE funds your postgraduate study entirely within Nigeria, covering all associated academic and living costs at your Nigerian institution.
This category is particularly relevant for applicants who have already been admitted to a strong Nigerian university for a relevant postgraduate program and do not want the additional complexity of navigating international admission and visa processes. It is also the recommended fallback for overseas category applicants. NAE’s official guidelines explicitly state that applicants for the overseas scholarship category are encouraged to also apply for the local postgraduate scholarship award. This dual application strategy is sensible because the overseas scholarship is highly competitive, and applying for both ensures you have a chance of being funded locally if you are not selected for the overseas award.
Category 2: Overseas Scholarship
The overseas scholarship category is for Nigerian graduates who have secured or are in the process of securing admission into a reputable university outside Nigeria for a one-year master’s degree program in the 2025 to 2026 academic session. Under the overseas scholarship, NAE funds your postgraduate study at an international university, covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, books, field trips, and a return economy class airfare ticket from Nigeria to your country of study and back.
The overseas category is more competitive than the local category and has additional document requirements, specifically the requirement for a valid international passport. For overseas applicants, your international passport must be valid for travel for at least one year from September 2025. Applicants who do not hold a valid international passport at the time of application or whose passport expires before September 2026 are not eligible for the overseas category.
Applicants for the overseas scholarship are strongly advised to also apply for the local category simultaneously. There is no rule preventing you from submitting applications under both categories. In fact, NAE’s official guidelines specifically encourage this dual application approach. The only rule is that you must not have previously received a similar award from NAE, other affiliate companies, or agencies. Both a local and an overseas application in the same cycle from the same person is permitted.
Eligible Courses of Study Under the AGIP Scholarship
The NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is targeted at master’s degrees in disciplines that are relevant to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and to the broader technical and scientific fields that drive economic development. Only candidates with an offer of admission in disciplines related to the following areas should apply:
Engineering courses covered by the scholarship include Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Subsea Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Marine Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Offshore Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Renewable Energy Engineering. Science and technology disciplines covered include Geosciences, Applied Geophysics, Geology, Petroleum Geology, Reservoir Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Technology, and related science and technology fields. Business and management disciplines covered include Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration (with a preference for programs related to the energy sector), Supply Chain Management, and Project Management. Legal and regulatory disciplines covered include Law and other relevant professional qualifications directly applicable to the oil and gas regulatory environment.
Applicants must have a confirmed or pending admission offer in one of these listed disciplines for the scholarship to be relevant to their application. If your proposed master’s program falls outside these areas, for example in social sciences, humanities, education, arts, or health fields unrelated to the above list, your application will not progress through the selection process. Always verify that your proposed course falls within the eligible disciplines before investing time in the application process.
What the AGIP Scholarship Covers
The NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship is a fully funded award. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of every component that the scholarship covers:
Full Tuition Fees
The scholarship covers one hundred percent of the tuition fees for the selected one-year master’s degree program at the approved institution, whether that institution is in Nigeria under the local category or overseas under the international category. Tuition fees are paid directly to the university or institution on the scholar’s behalf. You do not receive tuition money in your personal account and then pay the university yourself.
Accommodation
The cost of accommodation during the one-year scholarship period is covered. For local scholars, this typically means accommodation costs at or near the Nigerian university where they are enrolled. For overseas scholars, accommodation costs in the country of study are covered for the academic year.
Living Expenses
A living expense allowance is provided to cover day-to-day costs during the scholarship period. This is designed to cover food, transportation, personal necessities, and other costs of daily living during the one year of study. For overseas scholars, the living expense component is calibrated to reflect the cost of living in the country where the scholar is studying.
Books and Academic Materials
The cost of academic books and materials required for the master’s program is covered under the scholarship package. This is a practical benefit that is easy to underestimate. Postgraduate textbooks and academic resources can be very expensive, particularly at overseas universities, and having these costs covered removes a significant hidden financial burden from the scholar.
Field Trips
If your master’s program includes mandatory field trips as part of the curriculum, the costs associated with those trips are covered under the scholarship. This is particularly relevant for Geosciences, Environmental Engineering, and Petroleum Geology programs where field work is a standard component of the postgraduate curriculum.
Return Economy Airfare (Overseas Category Only)
For scholars awarded the overseas scholarship category, a return economy class air ticket is provided. This covers one flight from Nigeria to the country of study at the beginning of the program and one return flight from the country of study back to Nigeria at the end of the program. This is a genuinely significant financial benefit given the current cost of international airfare from Nigeria to universities in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, and other popular study destinations.
Medical Insurance (Referenced in Programme Materials)
Comprehensive medical insurance during the corresponding academic period is part of the scholarship package according to the programme’s official materials. This is particularly important for overseas scholars who would otherwise need to purchase independent health insurance in a foreign country, which can be very costly depending on the country of study.
Eligibility Requirements for the AGIP Scholarship
The eligibility criteria for the NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship are specific and strictly enforced. Here is a complete breakdown of every condition you must satisfy:
Nigerian Citizenship
You must be a Nigerian citizen. Non-Nigerian nationals are not eligible for the NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship regardless of where they obtained their undergraduate degree or where they are currently residing. Nigerian citizenship must be documented and verifiable through your national identification documents.
Minimum Academic Qualification
You must possess a minimum of a Second Class Upper (2:1) bachelor’s degree from a recognized Nigerian university. A pass degree, Third Class degree, or Second Class Lower (2:2) degree does not meet the minimum academic requirement. Your bachelor’s degree certificate must be from a Nigerian institution. Degrees from foreign universities, even if internationally recognized, are not stated as meeting this particular condition. The requirement specifically says a recognized Nigerian university. If you obtained your first degree abroad, you should confirm your eligibility directly with NAE or the Scholastica platform before investing time in the application.
Postgraduate Admission Requirement
You must have secured admission into a Nigerian or overseas university for a one-year master’s degree program in the 2025 to 2026 academic session. The word one-year is important. The scholarship is specifically for one-year master’s programs, not two-year programs. If your program is a two-year master’s degree, you are not eligible. Ensure that your provisional admission letter confirms a one-year program before applying.
The admission letter you provide must be for the same course that you state on your scholarship application. Any mismatch between the course stated in your application and the course on your admission letter will lead to disqualification during document verification.
Age Limit
You must not be above 28 years of age by December 31, 2025. This is an important and hard upper age limit. If you were born before January 1, 1997, you are not eligible for the 2025 to 2026 cycle. There are no exceptions to this age requirement, and age is verified against your birth certificate during document processing.
NYSC Completion
You must have completed the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Only applicants who hold a valid NYSC discharge certificate are eligible. Applicants who are currently serving, who have been mobilized but not yet discharged, or who have not yet been mobilized are not eligible. An NYSC exemption certificate is accepted in place of a discharge certificate for applicants who qualified for exemption under the NYSC Act, such as those who obtained their degrees after the eligible age for NYSC or those who have relevant physical conditions that exempted them.
Valid International Passport (Overseas Category Only)
Applicants for the overseas scholarship category must possess a valid international passport that is valid for travel for at least one year from September 2025. This means your passport must not expire before September 2026. If your passport expires earlier than this date, you must renew it before applying for the overseas category.
No Current or Prior NAE Scholarship Award
You must not be a current or past beneficiary of a similar award from NAE, other affiliate companies, or relevant agencies. If you have previously received the NNPC/NAE scholarship or a similar postgraduate scholarship from any affiliate of Eni or NNPC, you are permanently ineligible to receive it again. This condition is clearly stated in the programme’s disqualification criteria.
Not an Employee of NAE or Its Affiliates
Employees of NAE and other affiliate companies and their dependants are explicitly stated as not being eligible for this scholarship. If you work for NAE, Eni, or any of their Nigerian affiliate companies, you and your immediate family members cannot apply.
Required Documents for the AGIP Scholarship Application
Gathering all required documents before you begin your application is essential because the application form cannot be completed in stages. Once you open the application on the Scholastica platform, you need to upload all documents in a single session. Here is the complete document checklist:
A recent passport-sized photograph, 450 by 450 pixels in dimension, with a white background, not older than six months at the time of application, in JPEG format with a file size that meets the portal’s specifications. A provisional admission letter for postgraduate studies in the 2025 to 2026 session from a reputable university, either local or overseas. This letter must specify the one-year master’s program and must be for the same discipline stated in your scholarship application form. Your first degree certificate, meaning your bachelor’s degree certificate from a recognized Nigerian university, showing a minimum of Second Class Upper. Your NYSC discharge certificate or exemption certificate, confirming completion of the National Youth Service Corps programme. A valid identification card, which can be a driver’s licence, voter’s card, or National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) National Identity Card. Your birth certificate issued by a Local Government Authority. For overseas category applicants only, the data page of your valid international passport, which must be valid for at least one year from September 2025. The completed and signed NAE Compliance Declaration Form, which is downloadable from the Scholastica platform or from the direct link provided in NAE’s official scholarship announcement. This form is a mandatory requirement and your application will not be complete without it.
All documents must be clearly scanned and labelled appropriately before uploading. The portal has a specific upload section for each document type, and you must attach each document in its correct designated field. Uploading the wrong document to the wrong field is one of the most common application errors. After uploading each document, review the uploaded file on the portal to confirm it is legible and complete before proceeding to the next section. Documents that appear blurry, partially cut off, or incomplete will be treated as missing documents during verification.
If there is any discrepancy between the name used in your application and the names on your supporting documents, you must upload a sworn affidavit or name change certificate explaining the discrepancy. NAE’s guidelines are explicit that the name used in the application must match the names on all documentation in the same order. Do not assume that a minor spelling difference or different ordering of names will be overlooked during verification. It will not.
The Selection Process for the AGIP Scholarship
Understanding how NAE selects scholarship recipients helps you know what to focus on and what to expect after submitting your application.
After the application portal closes, all submitted applications are screened for eligibility. Applications that do not meet the stated criteria, contain incomplete information, or include documents that cannot be verified are removed from the process at this stage. Only applicants who fully satisfy all eligibility conditions progress to the aptitude test.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to sit an aptitude test. This test is a critical stage in the selection process and determines who advances toward the scholarship award. The aptitude test is monitored and is conducted at designated examination venues. Candidates receive their test invitation through the email address and phone number they provided during registration. This is why it is absolutely essential that your contact details are active and regularly checked after you submit your application. If you miss the test invitation notification, you effectively miss the test.
After the aptitude test, academic credentials and test performance are combined to produce a final ranking of applicants. The highest-ranked eligible candidates within the available scholarship budget are selected as award recipients. Award notifications are sent to successful candidates through their registered contact details.
The aptitude test covers general quantitative reasoning, verbal and written comprehension, and analytical reasoning. There are no officially published past questions for the NAE scholarship aptitude test, and the test format changes between cycles. The most effective preparation is solid foundational work in mathematics, English comprehension, and logical reasoning. Students who have recently sat similar aptitude tests for other NNPC JV scholarships will find the format broadly familiar.
How to Apply for the AGIP Scholarship Step by Step
All applications for the NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship must be submitted exclusively through the official Scholastica scholarship management platform. Here is the complete step-by-step application process:
Step one is to visit the official scholarship application portal. For the 2025 cycle, the direct link . For future cycles, the link will be updated with the relevant year’s identifier. The safest way to find the correct current link is to visit candidate.scholastica.ng and search for the NNPC/NAE scholarship scheme, or to follow NAE’s official communications and the Scholastica Nigeria social media accounts for the announcement of each new cycle.
Step two is to click the Apply Now tab on the scheme page and then click Register Now to create your account. Use a valid personal email address and an active phone number. After registering, go to your email inbox and click the activation link sent to your registered address. Check your spam folder if the activation email does not arrive in your inbox within a few minutes. Your account is not active until you click the activation link.
Step three is to log in with your registered email and password and complete your profile. Fill in the Personal Details, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate sections of the form as instructed. Candidates are required to fill only these three sections. Do not attempt to fill sections that are not applicable to your application.
Step four is to upload all required documents in their correct designated sections on the portal. Use the document checklist provided in this article to ensure you have everything ready before you start uploading. After uploading each document, review the file on the portal to confirm it displays clearly before moving on.
Step five is to download, fill, sign, and upload the NAE Compliance Declaration Form. This form is available for download at dragnetscreening or through the link provided on the portal. This is a mandatory document, and your application will be flagged as incomplete without it.
Step six is to review your entire application one final time before submitting. Check that your name is entered in exactly the same order as on all your documents. Check that the course you have listed in the application matches the course on your admission letter exactly. Check that all uploaded documents are clear and correctly placed. Once you are satisfied, submit your application.
Step seven is to save your confirmation details. After submission, you should receive a confirmation email to your registered address. Save any reference number provided as you may need it for follow-up enquiries. The application deadline for the 2025 cycle was April 27, 2025. This deadline is firm and no late applications are considered. For the 2026 to 2027 cycle, watch for the official announcement from NAE or Scholastica Nigeria, which typically comes out in the first quarter of the year.
Important Warnings: Protect Yourself From Scams
The NNPC/NAE scholarship is a high-profile program that attracts fraudulent activity. Here is what you must know to protect yourself:
The application for the NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship is completely free of charge at every stage. NAE does not charge application fees, processing fees, or any other kind of payment. You cannot apply through a representative in your university or hometown. Applications must be submitted by the applicant directly through the official Scholastica portal. No agent, individual, or third-party website is authorized to process scholarship applications on behalf of NAE. Any person who contacts you claiming they can secure your selection for a fee is running a scam. Any website asking for payment to process your AGIP scholarship application is fraudulent. Any false information provided in the application will lead to disqualification and may have legal consequences.
Completion of the application form and test invitation is explicitly stated not to constitute a commitment on the part of NNPC/NAE PSC. This means receiving an aptitude test invitation does not mean you have been selected. It means you have qualified to sit the test and will be evaluated alongside other shortlisted candidates. Manage your expectations accordingly.
Tips to Strengthen Your AGIP Scholarship Application
Given the competitive nature of the NNPC/NAE scholarship, here are the most practical things you can do to maximize your chances:
Apply as soon as the portal opens. The April 27 deadline for the 2025 cycle meant the portal was typically open for several weeks before closing. Applying in the first week after the portal opens gives you time to identify and fix any document problems without the pressure of an imminent deadline. Last-minute applicants are the most likely to make errors that cannot be corrected once the portal closes.
If you are applying for the overseas category, also apply for the local category. This is NAE’s own recommendation in the official guidelines. There is no penalty for applying to both. Submitting only an overseas application significantly reduces your probability of receiving any award, since the overseas slots are fewer and more competitive than the local slots.
Prepare your aptitude test performance seriously. While academic credentials are important, the aptitude test is the key differentiator among qualified candidates. Practice quantitative reasoning, verbal comprehension, and analytical thinking using publicly available aptitude test resources. Students who have recently prepared for similar tests for other NNPC JV scholarships are at a natural advantage and should capitalize on that familiarity.
Make absolutely sure your documents are accurate and that your name is consistent across all of them. Name discrepancies between the application form and uploaded documents are one of the most common reasons for disqualification during the verification stage. If you have a name discrepancy, prepare a sworn affidavit from a court of competent jurisdiction before the portal opens and have it ready to upload along with your other documents.
Final Thoughts
The NNPC/NAE Postgraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is one of the most credible, consistently run, and financially generous postgraduate scholarships available to Nigerian graduates. It is fully funded, covers both local and international study, is open to a wide range of disciplines relevant to Nigeria’s economy, and has a transparent application and selection process administered through the reputable Scholastica platform.
The combination of the Second Class Upper degree requirement, the NYSC completion condition, the age limit of 28 years, and the requirement for a one-year master’s admission in an eligible field means the scholarship is genuinely competitive and targeted. If you meet all these conditions, you are exactly the kind of applicant the program is designed for, and you should apply without hesitation.
Apply early, apply for both categories if relevant, prepare for the aptitude test seriously, and make sure every document you upload is accurate, clear, and consistent with the details on your application form. The scholarship is free to apply for, administered through a professional and secure platform, and can fund a genuinely transformative year of postgraduate study either in Nigeria or at a world-class overseas institution.
Visit candidate.scholastica.ng to check whether the 2026 cycle application window is currently open, and follow Scholastica Nigeria on Twitter at @scholastica_Ng for announcements when the next cycle launches.
