Ondo State Scholarship 2026 | Apply Online | Easy Guide
If you are an indigene of Ondo State currently studying at a tertiary institution anywhere in Nigeria, the Ondo State scholarship and bursary program is one of the most accessible and consistent government-funded financial support opportunities available to you. Administered by the Ondo State Scholarship Board, which is one of the interventionist agencies of the Ondo State Government in the education sector, the program covers students at universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics, schools of nursing and midwifery, and colleges of health technology across the country.
What makes the Ondo State scholarship particularly notable is how broad its coverage is. It is not just for the highest academic performers. It has separate award categories for academically excellent students, for financially vulnerable students who simply need general support, and for physically challenged students who face additional barriers to accessing education. This means that whether you are a top student with a strong CGPA or a student from a modest background who just needs financial help to stay in school, there is likely a category within this program that applies to you.
In this complete guide, we are going to cover everything you need to know about the Ondo State scholarship for the 2025 to 2026 academic session. We will explain the background and mandate of the Ondo State Scholarship Board, break down all three award categories in full detail, tell you exactly how much each award pays, list every eligibility condition you need to meet, go through the required documents, walk you through the step-by-step application process, and share tips to make your application as strong as possible.
About the Ondo State Scholarship Board (ODSSB)
The Ondo State Scholarship Board, commonly abbreviated as ODSSB, was established on April 26, 2000, as a dedicated interventionist agency of the Ondo State Government in the education sector. Its primary mandate is the prompt delivery of bursary awards, scholarship grants, and financial assistance to deserving indigenes of Ondo State who are studying at recognized tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Ondo State is a state in southwestern Nigeria, located in the South West geopolitical zone. It is bordered by Edo State to the north, Ekiti State to the northwest, Osun State to the west, Ogun State to the southwest, and Delta State to the northeast. The state’s capital is Akure, and its major cities include Akure, Ondo town, Owo, Ikare-Akoko, Ilare, Okitipupa, and Ore. The state is home to a significant number of students studying in universities and polytechnics across Nigeria, and the ODSSB was created specifically to ensure that those students, regardless of their financial circumstances or academic level, could receive some form of government-backed financial support during their studies.
The board operates under the oversight of the Ondo State Ministry of Education and works in collaboration with the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), which is the umbrella body for all Ondo State students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. NAOSS has historically played an important role in publicizing the annual scholarship application cycle and encouraging eligible students to apply before deadlines close.
In recent years, the ODSSB has expanded its scope beyond just financial disbursements. The board now also offers advisory and connection support to help students access external funding from foundations, non-governmental organizations, and private donors. This broader role reflects a recognition that state government resources alone are not sufficient to address the full scale of educational financial need among Ondo State students, and that connecting students to multiple funding sources is a more comprehensive way to support their academic journeys.
For the 2025 to 2026 academic session, the board announced the availability of application forms for its three main program categories: the Scholarship Award, the Bursary Award, and the Financial Assistance program. The application portal went live at odssb.org.ng, with registration open between May 1 and May 31, 2025, according to the NAOSS announcement from National President Hammed Oyelade. The application deadline was May 31, 2025, for that cycle, and future cycles are expected to follow a similar calendar pattern.
The Three Award Categories of the Ondo State Scholarship Program
Understanding the distinction between the three award categories is the single most important thing to get right before you apply. Each category targets a different student profile, has different eligibility requirements, and pays a different amount. Applying for the wrong category is one of the most common reasons why applications are rejected or delayed. Read each category carefully and apply only for the one that genuinely matches your situation.
Category 1: The Scholarship Award
The Scholarship Award is the main and most prestigious of the three ODSSB award categories. It is a merit-based award that targets students who have demonstrated strong academic performance at their institution. The scholarship is competitive and is reserved for students who meet specific CGPA thresholds that vary by institution type and grading system.
What the Scholarship Award Covers
Successful applicants under the Scholarship Award category receive a cash prize of 100,000 Nigerian Naira as support toward their education. This is a meaningful financial grant that can help cover tuition costs, academic materials, accommodation expenses, and other costs related to continuing your university or polytechnic education. The scholarship award is renewable based on satisfactory academic performance. This means that if you win the scholarship in one academic session and maintain the required academic standard, you can continue to benefit in subsequent sessions throughout your undergraduate program.
Scholarship Award Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Scholarship Award, you must satisfy all of the following conditions. You must be a bona fide indigene of Ondo State. This is proven through your State of Origin certificate, and it is a non-negotiable condition. Students who are not indigenes of Ondo State cannot apply regardless of where they are currently studying. You must be enrolled as a full-time student in a recognized Federal, State, or private tertiary institution in Nigeria. Part-time students, sandwich program students, and pre-degree students are not eligible for the scholarship award. You must be in your second year of study or above. First-year students, also known as 100 level students at universities, are not eligible for the Scholarship Award. Students who have just completed one academic session and are entering their second year are the primary target group. You must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average. The specific CGPA requirement depends on your institution’s grading scale. For universities using the 4.0 grading scale, the minimum CGPA is 3.5. For universities using the 5.0 grading scale, the minimum CGPA is 4.0. For students in polytechnics and colleges of education, the minimum CGPA is 3.0.
These CGPA thresholds mean the scholarship is not available to average students. A CGPA of 4.0 on a 5.0 scale and 3.5 on a 4.0 scale represent solid Second Class Upper performance at most Nigerian universities. If your CGPA falls below these thresholds, you should consider applying under the Bursary category instead.
Category 2: The Bursary Award
The Bursary Award is the more broadly accessible of the two financial support options under the ODSSB program. Unlike the scholarship award, the bursary is not strictly merit-based. It is a general financial support grant designed to ease the burden of school fees and educational expenses for Ondo State students who are enrolled in tertiary institutions, regardless of whether they meet the high academic thresholds required for the scholarship award.
What the Bursary Award Covers
The Bursary Award provides a cash grant of 10,000 Nigerian Naira to eligible students. While this amount is more modest than the scholarship award, it is still a meaningful contribution toward daily academic expenses such as stationery, course materials, transportation, and other incidental educational costs. The bursary is particularly important for students from financially vulnerable families where even a small cash injection can make a real difference in whether they are able to remain enrolled and focused on their studies.
Bursary Award Eligibility Requirements
The bursary is open to a wider range of students than the scholarship award. To be eligible, you must be a bona fide indigene of Ondo State. You must be currently enrolled in any of the following institutions anywhere in Nigeria: universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, schools of nursing and midwifery, or colleges of health technology. The bursary is open from the first year of study, which means even 100 level students at universities and ND1 students at polytechnics can apply for the bursary while waiting until they reach second year to qualify for the scholarship award. You must be a full-time student in a recognized institution. Part-time, sandwich, and pre-degree students are excluded from the bursary as well. There is no minimum CGPA requirement for the bursary, which is what makes it accessible to students at all academic performance levels who just need financial assistance to continue their education.
Category 3: Financial Assistance for Special Categories
The Financial Assistance program is a separate and specifically targeted category designed for Ondo State students who fall into one of three special circumstances. This category exists because the government recognizes that some student groups face additional financial burdens that are directly related to their particular academic track or personal circumstances, and that these groups deserve dedicated support beyond what the standard scholarship and bursary programs provide.
What Financial Assistance Covers
The Financial Assistance program provides a grant of 50,000 Nigerian Naira yearly to each eligible student in the special categories. This amount falls between the bursary and the scholarship in monetary terms but is specifically targeted at groups with particular needs. Importantly, this award is not contingent on academic grades or examination scores. Students in the three eligible special categories receive the award regardless of their CGPA.
The Three Special Categories That Qualify for Financial Assistance
The first special category is physically challenged students. Ondo State students who are living with a physical disability and are enrolled in any recognized tertiary institution in Nigeria, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, schools of nursing and midwifery, and colleges of health technology, qualify for financial assistance. Applicants must provide valid medical or official documentation confirming the nature of their disability to be considered under this category.
The second special category is medical students on clinical studies. Medical students of Ondo State origin who are currently in the clinical phase of their medical or dental education at any tertiary institution in Nigeria qualify for financial assistance. Clinical studies represent one of the most resource-intensive phases of university education, requiring significant expenditure on clinical manuals, protective equipment, laboratory materials, and other training costs that far exceed those of regular undergraduate programs. The financial assistance category acknowledges this reality.
The third special category is students in Nigerian law schools. Ondo State students who are currently enrolled in one of Nigeria’s law schools, which are run by the Council of Legal Education, also qualify for financial assistance. Law school training in Nigeria is a full-year intensive professional program that is expensive and extremely demanding. Applications for law school students under this category are processed directly through the Council of Legal Education rather than through the standard ODSSB online portal.
Summary of Award Amounts
Here is a clear summary of the three award amounts available under the Ondo State scholarship program for the 2025 to 2026 academic session: The Scholarship Award pays 100,000 Nigerian Naira and is merit-based for 200 level students and above with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or 4.0 on a 5.0 scale. The Bursary Award pays 10,000 Nigerian Naira and is open to all Ondo State students in recognized tertiary institutions from 100 level upward, with no CGPA requirement. The Financial Assistance program pays 50,000 Nigerian Naira annually and is specifically for physically challenged students, medical students on clinical studies, and law school students, with no academic performance requirement.
Institutions Recognized Under the Ondo State Scholarship Program
The ODSSB awards apply to students enrolled at institutions across the following categories anywhere in Nigeria: Federal universities (such as University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Benin, and others), State universities (including Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko and other state-owned universities), Private universities accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Federal and State Polytechnics, Monotechnics, Colleges of Education, Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, and Colleges of Health Technology. The key qualification for an institution to be recognized is that it must be accredited and recognized by the relevant regulatory body in Nigeria, whether that is the NUC for universities, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for polytechnics and other technical institutions, or the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) for colleges of education.
Students Who Are Not Eligible for the Ondo State Scholarship
Before you invest time in your application, it is important to confirm that you do not fall into one of the excluded categories. The following groups are explicitly not eligible for the ODSSB scholarship or bursary: Students enrolled in part-time programs. Students in sandwich programs. Students in remedial or pre-degree programs. Students in certificate programs. Medical students who are not yet on clinical studies and who are still in their pre-clinical phase. Students who attempt to submit double registrations or multiple applications. Double registration is treated as an automatic disqualification, and students who are found to have applied multiple times in the same cycle are removed from the entire program permanently for that cycle.
Required Documents for the Ondo State Scholarship Application
Having all your documents ready before you begin filling out the online application form will make the process significantly faster and less stressful. Here is the full list of documents you need to have prepared and available in digital format before you log into the application portal:
A recent passport-sized photograph with a white background, in JPEG or JPG format. Your Ondo State Certificate of Origin or Letter of Identification from your local government area confirming that you are a bona fide indigene of Ondo State. Your WAEC or NECO O’Level result showing your secondary school academic qualifications. Your JAMB or UTME result slip. Your current institution’s admission letter confirming your enrollment in your degree, diploma, or certificate program. Your most recent academic transcript or result sheet from your institution showing your current CGPA. This is required specifically for scholarship award applicants who must show that they meet the CGPA threshold. Your institution’s student identity card confirming you are a currently enrolled student. For physically challenged students applying for financial assistance, a valid medical certificate or official disability assessment document confirming the nature and extent of your disability. For law school students, evidence of your enrollment in a Nigerian law school under the Council of Legal Education. For medical students on clinical studies, evidence confirming your current clinical year status from your medical school or faculty.
All documents must be uploaded as clear, properly scanned digital files. Blurry, illegible, or partially visible documents will not be accepted and will cause your application to be flagged as incomplete. Scan each document in good lighting and review the file on your device before uploading it to the portal. File sizes should be within the limits specified on the portal, and all documents must be in the format accepted by the system, which is typically PDF or JPEG.
How to Apply for the Ondo State Scholarship Step by Step
The entire application process for the Ondo State scholarship and bursary is conducted online through the official Ondo State Scholarship Board portal. The portal is located at odssb.org.ng. Here is the complete step-by-step process:
Step one is to visit the official ODSSB portal . This is the only legitimate platform for this scholarship. Do not apply through any third-party website, agent, or person claiming to be a representative of the board. All genuine applications are processed exclusively through this portal.
Step two is to click the Apply Now button on the portal’s homepage. This will take you to the login and registration page. If you are a new applicant, you will need to create an account on the portal. Use a valid and regularly checked email address and a reliable phone number because all communications from the board about your application, shortlisting status, and payment will be sent to these contact details.
Step three is to select the correct award category during the registration process. The three options are Scholarship Award, Bursary Award, and Financial Assistance. Read the eligibility conditions for each category carefully before selecting. Selecting the wrong category for your academic situation is a common mistake that can lead to rejection.
Step four is to fill in your personal information accurately. This includes your full name exactly as it appears on your supporting documents, your date of birth, your local government area of origin, your state of origin (which must be Ondo State), your institution name and location, your course of study, your current academic level, and your CGPA where applicable. Every field must be filled correctly. The information you enter will be cross-checked against your uploaded documents during the verification process.
Step five is to upload all required documents in the specified format. Use the document checklist provided earlier in this guide to confirm you have everything ready before you start uploading. After uploading each document, click the preview or view option if available on the portal to confirm the uploaded file is clear and complete.
Step six is to review your entire application before submitting. Go through every field and every uploaded document one more time. Pay particular attention to the spelling of your name, your CGPA figure, your institution name, and your local government area. These are the details most commonly entered with errors. Once you are satisfied that everything is accurate and complete, click the Submit button.
Step seven is to save your confirmation details. After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation on the portal and possibly an email or SMS to your registered contact details. Keep this confirmation as proof of your submission. Note your application reference number if one is provided, as you may need it when following up on your application status.
Scholarship Maintenance Requirements
If you win the Ondo State Scholarship Award, receiving the initial payment is not the end of the process. The scholarship is renewable, meaning you can continue to receive it in subsequent academic sessions provided you maintain the required standards. To keep your scholarship active from one session to the next, you must maintain a CGPA at or above the minimum threshold that applied when you were first awarded the scholarship, which is 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or 4.0 on a 5.0 scale for university students. You must remain enrolled as a full-time student at a recognized institution. You must not be a beneficiary of another scholarship from the same source simultaneously with this award. You must reapply in each new academic session through the portal as the board does not automatically roll over awards without new session applications.
Tips to Improve Your Ondo State Scholarship Application
The Ondo State scholarship attracts a large number of applicants each year, and competition for the limited scholarship award slots is real. Here are some practical things you can do to make your application stand out and avoid common pitfalls:
Apply during the first week the portal opens. The ODSSB has historically opened applications for a defined window period, often between May 1 and May 31 based on the 2025 cycle. Applying within the first week of the window opening has several advantages. You have more time to identify and fix any document issues. There is less portal traffic and technical slowdown. And early applicants are processed without the last-minute rush pressure that causes many mistakes.
Confirm your correct award category before registering. This is the single most impactful thing you can do to protect your application. Read each category’s eligibility conditions carefully and honestly assess which one matches your academic level, CGPA, and personal circumstances. If you are in 100 level, do not try to apply under the scholarship award category. If your CGPA is below 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, apply under the bursary instead of the scholarship. The portal cross-checks your CGPA against uploaded transcripts, and mismatches lead to disqualification.
Get your State of Origin certificate from your local government area well ahead of the application window. This document is required for all three categories and is the primary proof of your Ondo State indigeneship. Local government offices can sometimes take time to process official letters of identification, so do not leave this for the last minute. If your current certificate is old or has an error in your name, get a new one issued before the portal opens.
Make sure the name on your application matches the names on all your documents exactly. This means the same first name, middle name, and surname in the same order on every document you submit. If your JAMB result spells your middle name differently from your O’Level certificate, or if your institution’s student identity card uses initials while your State of Origin certificate uses your full name, these discrepancies can slow down your verification or cause your application to be flagged. Use a sworn affidavit to resolve any name discrepancies before applying.
Keep your contact details active and check them regularly after submitting. The ODSSB communicates with applicants through the email address and phone number provided during registration. If you miss an update, a shortlisting notification, or a disbursement instruction because your phone was switched off or your email inbox was full, there is no guarantee the board will reach you through another channel. Stay reachable throughout the scholarship cycle.
The National Association of Ondo State Students and the Scholarship
The National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) plays an important supporting role in the ODSSB scholarship program. NAOSS is the official umbrella body that represents all Ondo State students studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, and it works alongside the ODSSB to publicize the annual application cycle, encourage eligible students to apply, and advocate for timely disbursement of scholarship funds to beneficiaries.
Each year, the NAOSS national president typically releases a formal statement announcing the opening of the scholarship application portal and reminding students of the deadline. This statement is published through official NAOSS communication channels and widely shared through campus WhatsApp groups and student union platforms. If you are an Ondo State student at any Nigerian tertiary institution, being connected to your campus’s Ondo State Students Association chapter is one of the easiest ways to receive timely scholarship announcements directly without having to monitor multiple external websites.
Final Thoughts
The Ondo State scholarship and bursary program is one of the most inclusive state-level education support programs in Nigeria. It does not just reward the academic elite. It has a category for every student, whether you are a high performer who meets the strict CGPA thresholds for the scholarship award, a student who simply needs 10,000 Naira to ease the financial pressure of paying for accommodation and materials, or a physically challenged student or medical student who faces unique financial demands that other students do not. This three-category structure reflects a genuine commitment to educational equity across all groups of Ondo State indigenes in tertiary institutions.
The board has been doing this work since April 2000, which means this is not a one-off initiative. It is a consistent, institutionalized program that opens every year. If you miss the current cycle, there will be another. But missing it when you are eligible and need the support is a missed opportunity that is entirely avoidable with a bit of preparation.
If you are an Ondo State indigene currently enrolled in any recognized tertiary institution in Nigeria, here is what you should do right now. Visit odssb.org.ng to check whether the current application window is open. If it is, gather your documents today. Identify the correct category for your situation and submit your application before the deadline closes. If the current window has already closed, bookmark the site, connect with your campus Ondo State Students Association, and be ready to apply as soon as the next cycle opens. The financial support available is real, it is consistent, and it is yours to apply for.
