If you are a young Nigerian woman with big dreams of building a career in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or nursing, but financial barriers are standing between you and your education, then the Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women might be exactly what you have been looking for. This scholarship, commonly referred to as the FBM Scholarship, is one of the most meaningful and purpose-driven scholarship programs available to Nigerian female students today. It is rooted in a powerful personal story, backed by a real foundation, and it is doing genuine work to change the lives of girls who would otherwise be left behind.
In this guide, we are going to cover absolutely everything you need to know about this scholarship. We will talk about the woman behind it, the foundation that runs it, who qualifies, how much money is on offer, what documents you need, and exactly how to apply. Whether you are a secondary school student or a university student, there is something in this article for you.
Quick Overview: Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women (FBM Scholarship)
| Scholarship Name | Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women (FBMSYW) |
| Also Known As | FBM Scholarship |
| Host Organization | Opekete Foundation |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Target Beneficiaries | Female Nigerian students in public secondary schools and universities |
| Fields of Study | STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Teaching and Nursing |
| Award for Secondary School Students | Up to N350,000 per annum |
| Award for University Students | Up to N650,000 per annum |
| Total Scholarship Value | Up to N1,000,000 |
| Scholarship Type | Annual financial bursary with mentorship and work placement |
| Nationality | Nigerian citizens only |
| Application Deadline | June 20 (annually) |
Who Was Florence Bamidele Makanjuola?
To really understand why this scholarship matters, you need to understand the woman it was named after. Mrs. Florence Bamidele Makanjuola, born Florence Familusi in 1921, was a teacher, a nurse, a great-grandmother, and a beloved matriarch who lived what can only be described as an extraordinary life. She passed away in 2021, just a few weeks before reaching her 100th birthday, and left behind a legacy that continues to shape the lives of young Nigerian women to this day.
Florence was a pioneer. At a time when educational opportunities for women in Nigeria were extremely limited, she pursued not one but two careers, first in teaching and later in nursing. She did not just build a career for herself; she used her position and her resources to support other girls around her, particularly those from poor and indigent backgrounds in Imesi-Ile, the community she called home.
Throughout her long life, Florence expressed a deeply personal concern about the state of education in Nigeria. She was frustrated by the declining quality of teaching and the shortage of skilled, dedicated educators. She also had a particular passion for nursing, a field she believed required a special kind of compassion and calling. She actively tried to inspire young girls around her to pursue nursing, recognizing those with natural caregiving gifts and encouraging them toward the profession.
Beyond her professional concerns, Florence was deeply committed to female self-reliance. She believed strongly that every woman deserved the chance to be financially independent, to hold her own, and to build a life on her own terms regardless of the circumstances she was born into. This belief was not just a philosophy for Florence; it was a practice. She supported the education of girls in her community throughout her life, long before the Opekete Foundation was formally established.
The Opekete Foundation was actually Florence’s own brainchild, created during her lifetime as a way to formalize the support she had been offering informally for years. The foundation was named in honour of her late father, Gilbert Familusi, who was widely known by his nickname Opekete, a proprietor of a shoe business who was a strong, enduring influence in Florence’s life. His memory and the love and guidance he provided were things Florence treasured until the very end of her days.
After Florence passed away, her children and grandchildren made a decision that speaks volumes about the kind of family she raised: they chose to carry on her work. They established the Florence Fund to continue the scholarships she had started, and the Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women was born. Every year, the scholarship gives deserving young women a chance to live out a piece of Florence’s dream.
About the Opekete Foundation
The Opekete Foundation is the organization behind the Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship. It is a nonprofit foundation that was created as a platform to continue and expand the work Florence started during her lifetime. At its core, the foundation has one clear and consistent mission: to create a world of opportunities for women and girls to prosper, regardless of their starting point in life.
The Opekete Foundation operates on a fundamental belief that access to education, financial resources, and skills training are the three pillars that can lift any woman out of poverty and set her on a path to success. The foundation is particularly focused on empowering young girls in Nigeria, giving them the tools, knowledge, and support they need to build a better life through education and financial literacy.
In practical terms, the foundation does this through the annual FBM Scholarship, which provides financial support to outstanding female students in public schools and universities across Nigeria. But the foundation’s vision extends beyond just writing cheques. It is about building the kind of support system that helps young women not only enter higher education but thrive in it and eventually use their skills to contribute to their communities and their country.
The Opekete Foundation is operated with integrity and transparency, using an independent consultant to screen all scholarship applications, which ensures that the selection process is fair and merit-based. Awardees are announced publicly, and the foundation maintains accountability to both donors and beneficiaries.
What Is the Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women?
The Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women, also known as the FBMSYW, is an annual scholarship program specifically designed to support young Nigerian women in extreme financial hardship who want to pursue careers in STEM education or Nursing. The scholarship is open to students at both the secondary school and university level, making it one of the few scholarship programs in Nigeria that supports girls before they even reach higher education.
This scholarship is not just about paying school fees. It is a comprehensive support package that includes financial assistance, mentorship, community service exposure, and work placements. The goal is to produce graduates and young professionals who are not only academically qualified but also well-rounded, service-oriented leaders in their fields.
The FBM Scholarship is unique because it focuses deliberately on two fields that are critically important for Nigeria’s development: STEM education and nursing. Nigeria needs more qualified science and mathematics teachers in its public schools. It also needs more trained nurses in its healthcare system. By channeling scholarship support toward young women who want to enter these fields, the Opekete Foundation is doing something far bigger than just helping individual students. It is actively working to improve the quality of education and healthcare in Nigeria from the ground up.
Why This Scholarship Focuses on STEM and Nursing
To appreciate the full significance of the FBM Scholarship, it helps to understand the context it is operating in. Nigeria has a serious shortage of qualified STEM teachers, especially in public schools. Many students go through their entire secondary education without ever encountering a teacher who truly understands mathematics, physics, or chemistry at a deep level. This is one of the root causes of poor academic performance in science subjects and contributes to the underrepresentation of Nigerians in global science and technology fields.
At the same time, Nigeria’s healthcare system faces a chronic shortage of nurses and other healthcare workers. With a population of over 200 million people and a nurse-to-patient ratio that falls far below international standards, trained nurses are desperately needed at every level of the health system, from primary health centers in rural communities to teaching hospitals in major cities.
Florence Bamidele Makanjuola understood both of these problems intimately from her own career in teaching and nursing. She knew from personal experience what a difference a good teacher and a skilled, compassionate nurse could make. The scholarship she inspired is directly targeted at solving both problems simultaneously by training the next generation of women who will fill these critical roles.
There is also a powerful gender equity dimension to this focus. Women in Nigeria remain significantly underrepresented in STEM fields. Cultural barriers, financial hardship, and lack of role models all contribute to the gap. By specifically supporting young women who want to enter STEM education and nursing, the FBM Scholarship is pushing back against these barriers and helping to normalize female participation in these fields.
Scholarship Benefits: What Do FBM Scholars Receive?
The Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship offers a range of benefits to selected recipients. Here is a detailed breakdown of what scholars actually receive:
Financial Support
This is the most immediate and practical benefit. The scholarship provides annual financial support to help cover the cost of education. Secondary school students can receive up to N350,000 per year, while university students can receive up to N650,000 per year. This money is intended to ease the financial burden on students and their families, allowing recipients to focus on their studies without the constant stress of wondering how fees will be paid.
The total scholarship value has been described as reaching up to N1,000,000, reflecting the combined scale of support available across both levels of the program. For students from low-income families, this level of financial support can be genuinely transformative.
Mentorship and Personal Development
Beyond the financial support, the FBM Scholarship includes mentorship designed to help scholars develop personal and professional qualities that will serve them throughout their careers. This is a deliberate investment in the whole person, not just the student. Scholars are connected with mentors who guide them, share their own professional experiences, and help them navigate the challenges of academic and early professional life.
Mentorship is something that many young Nigerian women from disadvantaged backgrounds rarely have access to. Having a mentor who believes in you, invests time in your growth, and connects you with opportunities can change the entire trajectory of a young person’s life. The Opekete Foundation clearly understands this, which is why mentorship is built into the scholarship program as a core component.
Community Project Participation
FBM scholars are expected to participate in community projects as part of the scholarship experience. This aspect of the program is designed to foster a sense of service and leadership in the scholars, reinforcing the idea that education is not just a personal asset but a responsibility to contribute back to the community. It also gives scholars practical experience working on real projects with real impact, which is something most purely academic programs do not offer.
Work Placements
The scholarship also provides work placements to help recipients gain practical experience and build professional competence. For students studying nursing, this might mean clinical placements in healthcare facilities. For those in STEM education, it could involve classroom teaching experiences or involvement in educational projects. These placements are an important bridge between academic study and the professional world, and they give scholars a significant advantage when they eventually enter the job market.
Promotion of Financial Independence
One of the foundational goals of the FBM Scholarship is to promote financial independence among women. The scholarship is designed not just to help women finish school but to help them build the kind of skills and qualifications that lead to meaningful, stable employment and economic self-sufficiency. This connects directly to Florence’s own lifelong belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to stand on her own financially.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply for the FBM Scholarship?
The eligibility requirements for the Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women are specific and clearly defined. Before you apply, go through this list carefully to make sure you qualify:
Basic Eligibility Requirements
First, you must be a female Nigerian citizen. The scholarship is not open to male students or to non-Nigerian nationals. This is a deliberate design choice that reflects the foundation’s specific focus on empowering Nigerian women and girls.
You must be enrolled in or have gained admission to a public secondary school or a public university in Nigeria. Private school and private university students are not eligible for this scholarship. The focus on public institutions reflects the foundation’s commitment to reaching students who are most likely to be from disadvantaged economic backgrounds, since public schools and universities in Nigeria disproportionately serve lower-income families.
You must be studying or intending to study Teaching in STEM fields or Nursing at the university level. If you are a secondary school student, you must be planning to pursue one of these fields when you proceed to university.
You must demonstrate financial hardship. This scholarship is specifically designed for young women who are unable to pursue their education without financial assistance. Applicants are required to submit a motivational essay that explains both why they deserve the scholarship and what extenuating financial circumstances make them unable to afford their education on their own.
Academic Requirements for Secondary School Students
Secondary school applicants must have a minimum of 5 distinctions, which means A or B grades, in their Junior WAEC (BECE) results. These distinctions must include English Language, Mathematics, and at least 3 other major subjects. You must also be attending or intending to attend a public or federal government-owned Senior Secondary School.
To maintain the scholarship once awarded, secondary school recipients must maintain an average of at least 65% across all subjects each term or semester. Falling below this threshold could result in losing the award, so it is important to stay focused on your academics throughout the duration of the scholarship.
Academic Requirements for University Students
University applicants need a minimum of 5 distinctions, which means grades of A1 to B3, in their WAEC or NECO results in one sitting. These grades must include English Language, Mathematics, and 3 other relevant subjects.
For Nursing applicants specifically, the required subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. For Teaching in STEM applicants, the requirements are English Language, Mathematics, and 3 STEM-related subjects.
You must also meet the required cut-off score in JAMB for your chosen course and institution. Once awarded the scholarship, university students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 out of 5 each semester to continue receiving the scholarship. The Opekete Foundation is investing in academic excellence, not just financial need, so maintaining strong grades is a condition of continued support.
Additionally, all applicants must be willing to take and pass an aptitude or behavioral test that forms part of the selection process. This test helps the foundation assess the academic readiness and personal qualities of applicants beyond their exam results alone.
Required Documents for the FBM Scholarship Application
When you apply for the Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship, you will need to have the following documents ready. All supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format through the online application portal:
You will need the completed online application form. You will also need a 300-word motivational essay explaining why you deserve the scholarship and describing the financial circumstances that prevent you from affording your education without support. Your O’Level or SSCE result must be included, along with your JAMB result showing your score and course of choice. You will need an LGA Identification document showing your state of origin, as well as your institution’s official admission letter. A birth certificate to confirm your age and citizenship is required, along with an academic transcript showing your previous academic record. You will need your National Identity Number (NIN) and a recent passport photograph.
Make sure all these documents are ready before you begin filling out the application form. It is very easy to get distracted once you start the online form, and having everything organized in one folder on your device will save you a lot of time and stress.
How to Apply for the Florence Bamidele Makanjuola Scholarship for Women
The application process for the FBM Scholarship is done entirely online through the Opekete Foundation’s official application portal. Here is a clear step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before you spend time filling out the application, make absolutely sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above. Check your academic qualifications, confirm that you are enrolled in or admitted to a public institution, and verify that your field of study aligns with STEM Teaching or Nursing. If you are in doubt about any requirement, re-read the guidelines carefully before proceeding.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Go through the list of required documents and make sure you have everything. Scan or photograph each document and save them as PDF files. Organize them in a clearly labeled folder on your computer or phone. Having all your documents ready before you open the application form will make the process much smoother and reduce the risk of making errors under pressure.
Step 3: Write Your 300-Word Essay
This is one of the most important parts of your application. Take time to write a thoughtful, honest, and specific essay about why you deserve this scholarship and what financial challenges you are facing. Avoid vague statements. Be specific about your circumstances, your academic goals, your passion for STEM or nursing, and how this scholarship will make a direct difference in your ability to continue your education. A well-written essay can set your application apart from hundreds of others.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application Form
Visit the Opekete Foundation’s official website and navigate to the scholarship application section. Fill in all required fields accurately. Double-check every piece of information before submitting, especially your name, date of birth, JAMB score, and school details. Errors in these fields could disqualify your application or create problems during the verification process.
Step 5: Upload All Supporting Documents
Upload each required document in the PDF format specified by the application portal. Make sure every file is legible and complete. A blurry photograph or an incomplete transcript upload could result in your application being rejected during the screening process.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
The application deadline for the FBM Scholarship is typically June 20 of each year. The foundation specifically chose this date to allow applicants time to have their exam results available. Do not wait until the last day to submit. Technical issues, internet problems, or missing documents are common reasons why people miss scholarship deadlines. Aim to complete and submit your application at least a week before the closing date.
Step 7: Await Screening and Announcement
After the application window closes, all submissions are reviewed by an independent consultant hired by the Opekete Foundation to ensure a fair and objective selection process. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to take an aptitude or behavioral test as part of the selection. The announcement of scholarship awardees is typically made in August, following the close of applications in June.