MTN Scholarship for Undergraduate 2026: Full Guide — ₦300,000 Award

This guide changes that. Whether you are in your 200 Level heading into 300 Level, a visually impaired student in any discipline, or a JAMB star performer, read this article from start to finish and you will have a decisive advantage over other applicants.

1. What is the MTN Foundation?

The MTN Foundation (MTNF), officially registered as MTN Nigeria Foundation Limited by Guarantee, is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc — one of Africa’s largest telecommunications companies by subscriber base. Established as a separate legal entity to ensure transparency and accountability in its social investment activities, the Foundation operates across three core pillars: Health, Education, and Economic Empowerment.

“MTN Foundation’s scholarship programme is a flagship demonstration of MTN Nigeria’s commitment to building the human capital that will drive Nigeria’s future — one scholar at a time.”

MTN Nigeria is a subsidiary of the MTN Group, a South African multinational mobile telecommunications company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The MTN Group was founded in 1994 and now operates in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East, with Nigeria being its single largest market by revenue. The Foundation channels a portion of MTN Nigeria’s annual earnings into community development programmes, of which the scholarship scheme is the most celebrated.

2. MTN Scholarship for Undergraduates — Overview

The MTN Foundation Scholarship Programme is an annual initiative established in 2010 to recognise and reward academically outstanding undergraduate students across Nigerian public tertiary institutions. The programme is specifically designed to support students studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)  as well as students with visual disabilities and the nation’s top JAMB performers  in completing their degrees without the burden of financial constraint.

What started in 2010 with 500 awardees across 44 federal and state-owned tertiary institutions has expanded significantly. In 2024, the scholarship amount was increased from ₦200,000 to ₦300,000 per year and the annual intake of new scholars was raised to 400 new recipients. This increase reflects MTN Foundation’s deepening commitment to education as a social investment priority.

All three scholarship categories are administered directly through MTN Nigeria’s scholarship portal at mtn.ng/scholarships and managed by the MTN Foundation. Applications are typically open for a limited window, usually between February and April each year, with successful candidates notified by email and SMS.

3. The 3 Categories of MTN Undergraduate Scholarships

The MTN Foundation Scholarship Programme for undergraduates currently operates under three distinct categories. Each has its own eligibility criteria, target audience, and selection process. Understanding which category applies to you is the most important first step.

4. MTN Science & Technology Scholarship (STS) — In Detail

The MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship (MTNF STS) is the flagship and largest category of the MTN undergraduate scholarship. Launched in 2010 (originally designated as 2009 in early documentation), it targets full-time, high-achieving STEM students across Nigeria’s public tertiary education sector.

Who Is It For?

• Full-time students in 300 Level (or 3rd year equivalent) of a Science & Technology-related course in a Nigerian public university or college of education
• Students who have completed their second-semester 200 Level exams and are progressing to 300 Level (dual eligibility window accommodates different academic calendars)
• Students in Nigerian public polytechnics who hold an OND (Ordinary National Diploma) with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (Upper Credit) and have secured admission into the HND (Higher National Diploma) programme
• Direct Entry students with a minimum OND CGPA of 3.0 (Upper Credit) who have secured 300 Level admission into a public university

CGPA Requirements for STS

5. MTN Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS) — In Detail

The MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students (MTNF SBS) was established in 2012 as a dedicated inclusion initiative, recognising that visually impaired students face disproportionate financial and practical challenges in accessing tertiary education. It is one of the very few CSR scholarship programmes in Nigeria that explicitly targets students with disabilities.

Key Details of the SBS Category

• Open to 200 Level and 300 Level blind students studying any course in Nigerian public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education
• For blind students studying Law (a 5-year course), only 300 Level students are eligible
• Minimum CGPA: 2.0/4.0 or 2.5/5.0 — equivalent to Second Class Lower (2:2) — a lower threshold than the STS, recognising the additional academic challenges faced by visually impaired students
• 60 new slots are awarded annually under this category
• The award is renewable annually until graduation, subject to maintaining the required CGPA

6. MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship — In Detail

The MTN Foundation Top 10 UTME Scholarship is the most automatically awarded scholarship in Nigeria’s private sector education funding landscape. Established in 2020, it requires no application form — if you are one of the top 10 highest-scoring candidates in the annual JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), MTN Foundation contacts you directly.

Key Details of the Top 10 UTME Category

• Awarded automatically to the 10 candidates with the highest UTME scores each year as announced by JAMB
• Open irrespective of the course of study or institution — both public and private universities qualify
• Worth ₦300,000 per year from 100 Level through to graduation, provided the required grades are maintained
• The UTME scholarship starts from Year 1 (100 Level) — unlike the STS which starts at 300 Level
• UTME Top 10 scholars must still maintain the required CGPA for annual renewal

7. Scholarship Award Amounts & What They Cover

In 2024, the MTN Foundation increased the annual scholarship award from ₦200,000 to ₦300,000 per scholar. This applies uniformly across all three scholarship categories. Here is what the award is designed to cover:

8. Eligible Courses for the MTN STS Scholarship

The Science and Technology Scholarship (STS) — the largest category — is restricted to students studying STEM-related courses. Here is a breakdown of the broad subject areas covered. The full and most current list is published on the official MTN Foundation scholarship portal each year.

9. Full Eligibility Requirements

Below are the comprehensive eligibility requirements for the MTN Foundation undergraduate scholarship. You must satisfy ALL applicable conditions for your category.

General Requirements (All Categories)

• Must be a Nigerian citizen (or an international student legally resident in Nigeria attending an accredited Nigerian tertiary institution)
• Must be enrolled full-time in a Nigerian public tertiary institution (university, polytechnic, or college of education) — or any institution for the UTME category
• Must provide a valid personal email address and phone number for all communications
• Must submit genuine, unaltered documents — false submissions result in permanent disqualification
• Must NOT be a current beneficiary of any other MTN Foundation scholarship

Category-Specific Requirements

10. Required Documents

Prepare the following documents before you begin your online application. All documents must be clear, accurate, and current — fraudulent submissions lead to immediate and permanent disqualification.

11. The MTN Scholarship Aptitude Test — What to Expect

After your application is submitted and documents verified, shortlisted candidates are invited to sit an online aptitude test. This test is a critical selection stage that many otherwise eligible applicants underperform in due to poor preparation.

Subject Areas Covered

• Mathematics: Quantitative reasoning, algebra, arithmetic, data interpretation, GMAT-format problem solving
• English Language: Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, verbal reasoning
• General Knowledge / General Paper: Current affairs, Nigerian history, science & technology concepts, logical reasoning

12. Step-by-Step Application Guide

All MTN Foundation Scholarship applications are submitted exclusively through the official MTN Nigeria scholarship portal at mtn.ng/scholarships. The application is completely free of charge. There is no SMS code, no agent, and no payment required at any stage of the process — anyone requesting payment is operating a scam.

1. Visit the Official MTN Foundation Scholarship PortalGo to mtn.ng/scholarships or directly to apps.mtn.ng/scholarships. This is the only legitimate application platform. Bookmark the page and check it regularly from January each year for the opening of the application window.

2. Complete the Eligibility Pre-Screening FormBefore the full application form loads, you will be asked to fill in a short eligibility questionnaire — covering your institution type, year of study, course, and CGPA. If your responses meet the minimum criteria, you will be allowed to proceed to the full application form. If not, the system will notify you that you do not currently qualify.

3. Fill in Your Personal and Academic DetailsComplete all required fields accurately: full name (as on your ID), date of birth, state of origin, institution, faculty, department, level of study, CGPA, and contact information. Use your personal email — all correspondence, including the scholarship award notification, will be sent there.

4. Write Your Personal StatementThe personal statement — responding to “Why do you think you deserve this scholarship?” — is a key component. Write between 300 and 500 words. Be specific, genuine, and results-oriented. Reference your academic achievements, financial circumstances, career goals, and how the scholarship will enable you to contribute to Nigeria’s development. Generic, vague responses rarely succeed.

5. Upload All Required DocumentsUpload clear, legible scans or high-quality photographs of all required documents in the formats specified by the portal (usually PDF or JPEG under a specific file size limit). Ensure every document is fully visible — blurry or cropped uploads are rejected during verification.

6. Preview and Submit Your ApplicationBefore clicking submit, carefully review every section of your application. Check your CGPA, institution name, course title, level of study, and document uploads. Once submitted, edits are not permitted. Submit only when you are fully satisfied with the accuracy of every detail.

7. Await Shortlisting and Aptitude Test InvitationOnly shortlisted candidates are contacted. Check your email (including spam folder) and registered phone number regularly in the weeks following the application deadline. If shortlisted, you will receive instructions for the online aptitude test, including the test date, platform, and login credentials.

8. Sit the Online Aptitude TestComplete the aptitude test on the scheduled date using a reliable internet connection. Prepare your device in advance. The test covers Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge. Your test score, combined with your academic profile, forms the basis for final selection.

9. Verification ExerciseTop-performing applicants may be invited to a verification exercise where physical or scanned copies of submitted documents are cross-checked. Any discrepancy between submitted documents and verified originals results in disqualification.

10. Receive Award Notification and DisbursementSuccessful scholars are notified via email and SMS. Award disbursement of ₦300,000 is made directly to the bank account provided during application. MTN Foundation bears sole responsibility for final selection — no external appeals or review processes exist.

13. Application Timeline & Key Dates

The MTN Foundation scholarship follows a broadly consistent annual timeline. While exact dates shift slightly each cycle, here is a general reference guide based on historical patterns:

14. Scholarship Renewal & Retention Conditions

The MTN Foundation scholarship is not a one-time payment — it is renewed annually until graduation, provided you continue to meet the required conditions. Here is exactly what is required to keep your scholarship:

• Maintain the minimum required CGPA every academic session (3.0/4 or 3.5/5 for STS; 2.0/4 or 2.5/5 for SBS)
• Remain enrolled as a full-time student in the same programme at the same institution
• Participate in the annual MTN Foundation Scholar verification and renewal exercise — missing this without prior notification can result in withdrawal of the award
• Not engage in any form of academic misconduct, fraud, or breach of MTN Foundation’s scholarship terms and conditions
• Not become a recipient of any other MTN Foundation scholarship simultaneously
• Ensure your bank account details remain active and valid — closed or inactive accounts will delay or prevent disbursement

15. Tips to Win the MTN Scholarship for Undergraduates

Apply on Day One — Literally

The MTN Foundation scholarship portal does not advertise when it will close — and historically, applications have been cut off unexpectedly when the quota is filled or the window is revised. The moment you hear the scholarship is open, apply immediately. Procrastination is the primary reason eligible students miss out.

Write a Compelling, Specific Personal Statement

The question “Why do you think you deserve this scholarship?” is not asking you to list your achievements  it is asking you to make a case for yourself. Structure your response with three clear elements: your academic achievement (what you have done), your financial need (why the funding matters), and your future impact (what MTN Nigeria gains by investing in you). Keep it between 300 and 500 words. Review it three times before submitting.

Maintain a CGPA Well Above the Minimum

A CGPA of exactly 3.5/5 is the minimum threshold  not a competitive score. With hundreds of applicants meeting the same minimum, the strongest candidates are those with CGPAs of 4.0 and above. Build strong academic habits from your first year, because your result at the point of application is the single largest factor in your selection.

Scan Every Document at High Resolution

Blurry, cropped, or partially visible documents cause immediate rejection during the document review stage. Use a proper document scanner or a high-quality scanning app like Adobe Scan or CamScanner. Every line of text in your WAEC result, transcript, and admission letter must be clearly legible at normal zoom level. Name files clearly before uploading (e.g., “WAEC_Result_AdekunleJohnson.pdf”).

Use a Reliable Personal Email — Not a University or Shared One

All MTN Foundation communications including your shortlisting notification and aptitude test date  arrive by email. Use a personal Gmail or Outlook account that you check daily. University email addresses can become inactive between sessions, causing you to miss critical alerts.

Prepare Actively for the Aptitude Test

Many qualified students get shortlisted and then underperform on the aptitude test because they did not prepare for GMAT-format quantitative reasoning questions. Start practising immediately after submitting your application  do not wait for your test invite. Use free resources like Khan Academy (for Mathematics), past JAMB questions (for General Knowledge), and GMAT prep materials (for quantitative reasoning).

Avoid Scholarship Scams — There Are No Fees

Every year, fraudsters circulate fake MTN scholarship portals and demand “processing fees” or “registration charges.” The real MTN Foundation scholarship is 100% free at every stage  application, shortlisting, testing, and disbursement. If anyone demands money in connection with this scholarship, report them immediately to the MTN Foundation or EFCC.

17. Conclusion

The MTN scholarship for undergraduate students — comprising the MTN Science and Technology Scholarship (STS), the MTN Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS), and the MTN Top 10 UTME Scholarship — is Nigeria’s most impactful corporate scholarship programme. Since MTN Foundation launched it in 2010, it has produced over 456 first-class graduates, supported thousands of STEM scholars, championed the inclusion of visually impaired students, and celebrated Nigeria’s brightest UTME minds  all through a transparent, merit-based, and completely free application process.

The upgrade to ₦300,000 per year in 2024 and the expansion to 400 new slots annually signals that MTN Foundation is deepening — not reducing — its commitment to education as a social investment. For eligible STEM students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions, this is an annual opportunity that should never be missed.

The path to winning the scholarship is clear: maintain a strong CGPA, confirm your course is eligible, gather your documents well in advance, write a compelling personal statement, apply the moment the portal opens (typically January–February), prepare thoroughly for the aptitude test, and submit your application before the deadline — which was April 25 in the 2025 cycle.