NNPC Scholarship 2026: Full List of NNPC-Affiliated Scholarships, Eligibility & How to Apply
There is no single “NNPC scholarship.” The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) runs its scholarship support through joint venture (JV) partnerships with oil and gas operators – including Agip (NAE), SNEPCo (Shell), Seplat, Oando (NAOC), and Renaissance Africa Energy. Each partner runs its own scheme, with its own portal, deadline, and eligibility rules. Some are for undergraduates, some for postgraduates, and some are local-only while others fund overseas study. This guide lists every currently active scheme in one place, tells you which one actually fits your situation, and walks through the general application process.
If you only read one section, read the comparison table below – it will tell you in ten seconds which scholarship you should even be looking at.
At a Glance: Every Active NNPC-Affiliated Scholarship
| Scholarship | Level | Study Location | Annual Award / Benefit | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NNPC/Agip (NAE) Postgraduate Scholarship | Postgraduate (Master’s) | Local or Overseas | Full tuition, accommodation, living expenses, return flight (overseas category) | NYSC-completed graduates, 2:1 or better, age limit applies |
| NNPC-SNEPCo Postgraduate Scholarship | Postgraduate (MSc) | UK only (specific partner universities) | Tuition, one return flight, living stipend, medical insurance | Graduates with UK 2:1-equivalent degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
| NNPC/Seplat Undergraduate Scholarship | Undergraduate | Nigerian universities | ₦200,000/year, renewable | Current undergraduates in Nigerian tertiary institutions |
| NNPC/Oando (NAOC) JV Scholarship | Undergraduate | Nigerian universities | ₦200,000/year, renewable | Current undergraduates, host-community priority in some cycles |
| NNPC-Renaissance JV University Scholarship | Undergraduate | Nigerian universities | Annual grant through duration of study | 200 Level undergraduates only |
Notes on the table: amounts and cycles are set independently by each JV partner and can change year to year. Always confirm the live figure and deadline on the scheme’s own portal before applying – this table reflects the most recently published 2026 cycle details at the time of writing.
Why There Are So Many “NNPC Scholarships”
NNPC operates its upstream oil and gas assets through joint ventures with international and indigenous energy companies. As part of their corporate social responsibility commitments, several of these JV partners fund their own independent scholarship schemes under the NNPC name. That is why a search for “NNPC scholarship” surfaces different portals, different eligibility rules, and different deadlines — they are related but administratively separate programmes. Applying to the wrong one, or assuming they share a single application, is the most common mistake candidates make.
NNPC/Agip (NAE) Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme
Run by Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE) on behalf of the NNPC/NAE joint venture, this is a postgraduate-only scheme with two tracks: Local (Nigerian universities) and Overseas (international universities).
Typical eligibility requirements:
- Nigerian citizen with a minimum Second Class Upper (2:1) bachelor’s degree
- Provisional admission into a one-year Master’s programme for the relevant academic session
- Completed NYSC, with a valid discharge or exemption certificate
- Age limit around 28 by 31 December of the application year
- Overseas category applicants need a valid international passport
Typical documents to prepare in advance: recent passport photograph on a white background, provisional admission letter, first degree certificate, NYSC discharge certificate, and (for overseas applicants) international passport data page.
Application flow: register on the designated scholarship portal, complete personal and academic details, upload documents, and submit before the stated deadline. Applications submitted after the deadline are not considered, and there is no fee at any stage.
NNPC-SNEPCo Postgraduate Scholarship (UK Study)
This scheme, run through Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) as part of the NNPC JV, funds one-year MSc study at specific partner universities in the United Kingdom – recent cycles have named the University of Aberdeen and Newcastle University.
Typical eligibility requirements:
- Nigerian citizen resident in Nigeria
- Age roughly 21–28 by the September intake date
- Degree equivalent to UK Upper Second-Class Honours
- Completed NYSC, or due to complete it before the intake
- IELTS score of 6.5 or above
- Valid international passport
- Not already holding an opportunity to study in another developed country
What it covers: tuition, one economy return flight from Nigeria to the UK, a living-expense contribution benchmarked to Association of Commonwealth Universities rates, and medical insurance meeting UK student visa requirements. It does not cover every personal expense, so budget accordingly.
Application flow: this scheme is applied for directly through the partner university rather than a general portal – you secure admission first, then submit the scholarship form to the university by the published deadline.
NNPC/Seplat Undergraduate Scholarship
A yearly grant for undergraduates already enrolled in Nigerian tertiary institutions, funded jointly by NNPC and Seplat Energy as part of Seplat’s community development obligations.
Typical eligibility requirements:
- Minimum of five O’Level credits including English and Mathematics in one sitting
- Currently enrolled full-time in a Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education
- Not currently holding another scholarship award
Benefit: ₦200,000 per year, renewable annually based on continued eligibility and performance.
Application flow: a preliminary Google Form-style registration stage, followed by shortlisting for a scholarship examination. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted for the next stage, and past-question practice materials are commonly shared by scholarship-focused sites ahead of the test.
NNPC/Oando (NAOC) JV Scholarship
Administered by the NNPC E&P/Oando Energy Resources joint venture, this scheme targets undergraduates and, in some cycles, gives added weight to applicants from host communities.
Typical eligibility requirements:
- Nigerian citizen enrolled full-time in a recognised Nigerian tertiary institution
- Valid National Identification Number (NIN)
- A signed compliance declaration form specific to the operating company
Application flow: register on the designated application portal, complete personal, educational, and NIN details, upload the required documents including a compliance declaration form, and submit before the deadline. Name mismatches across documents typically require a sworn affidavit to avoid disqualification.
NNPC-Renaissance JV University Scholarship
Sponsored by Renaissance Africa Energy Company (operator of the NNPC/Renaissance/TotalEnergies/AENR joint venture), this scheme is unusually specific about year of study.
Typical eligibility requirements:
- Nigerian citizen and full-time undergraduate at an accredited Nigerian university
- Must currently be in 200 Level (this scheme does not accept other levels)
- Not already receiving another oil and gas company scholarship
- A letter from the applicant’s Community Development Committee or Community Executive Council, signed and stamped
Selection process: eligibility screening, shortlisting, then a proctored computer-based aptitude test that requires a desktop or laptop with a working webcam – tablets are explicitly not accepted for the test.
How to Apply: The General Process Across Schemes
Although each JV partner runs its own portal, the application journey follows a broadly similar pattern:
- Confirm which scheme actually matches your situation – undergraduate versus postgraduate, and local versus overseas, before you start.
- Gather documents in advance: passport photograph (usually white background, specific pixel dimensions), academic certificates, admission letter (for postgraduate schemes), NYSC discharge certificate where applicable, and a valid international passport for overseas categories.
- Register on the official portal named in that scheme’s advert – never a third-party site claiming to process applications on your behalf.
- Complete the form accurately, ensuring names match exactly across every uploaded document; provide a sworn affidavit if there’s any discrepancy.
- Submit before the deadline. Late submissions are not accepted under any of these schemes, and portals typically close automatically at the stated time.
- Wait for shortlist communication via email or SMS – do not pay anyone claiming to expedite or guarantee shortlisting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an application fee for NNPC scholarships? No. Every scheme listed here is free to apply for at every stage. Anyone asking for payment to submit your application, guarantee shortlisting, or provide “assistance” is attempting a scam.
How much is the NNPC scholarship? It depends on the scheme. Undergraduate JV scholarships (Seplat, Oando, Renaissance) typically pay a fixed annual grant, commonly around ₦200,000, renewable while eligibility continues. Postgraduate schemes (Agip/NAE, SNEPCo) are usually full-ride awards covering tuition, a return flight, accommodation or a living stipend, and in some cases medical insurance, rather than a fixed cash amount.
Who is eligible for NNPC scholarship? Eligibility depends entirely on which scheme you’re applying to. Undergraduate schemes generally require current enrolment in a Nigerian tertiary institution and minimum O’Level credit requirements. Postgraduate schemes generally require a Second Class Upper degree or better, completed NYSC, and in some cases an age limit around 28.
When does the NNPC scholarship open? Each JV partner announces its own cycle independently, and dates shift year to year — some open early in the year, others closer to the new academic session. There is no single fixed annual date across all schemes, which is why checking each scheme’s own portal directly is more reliable than relying on a remembered date from a previous year.
How do I know if I’ve been shortlisted for an NNPC scholarship? Shortlisted candidates are contacted directly by the administering body, usually by email and/or SMS, with instructions for the next stage – typically a computer-based aptitude test or further document verification. If you haven’t been contacted through the official channel, you have not been shortlisted, regardless of what a third party might claim.
Are NNPC scholarships only for oil and gas courses? Not universally. The postgraduate schemes (Agip/NAE, SNEPCo) are generally restricted to disciplines relevant to the oil and gas industry, such as petroleum, mechanical, and electrical engineering. The undergraduate JV schemes are typically open to a broader range of courses of study, though specific eligibility should always be confirmed against that year’s advert.
A Note on Scams
Because these schemes are free, widely searched, and carry real financial value, they are a frequent target for fraudulent websites and social media pages that mimic official portals. Before entering any personal or financial information, verify that the URL matches the domain named in the scheme’s own official advert or the operating company’s verified website, and never make a payment of any kind in connection with an application.
Keep This Updated
Because these are annual, JV-specific programmes with independently set deadlines, treat any specific date or amount in this guide as accurate as of publication and always verify current details directly against the relevant JV partner’s official channel before applying.
The Brands.Ng Editorial Team, led by Augustine Tom, is a multidisciplinary group of researchers, analysts, writers, and industry contributors focused on helping consumers, businesses, investors, and decision-makers better understand Africa's evolving digital economy. Brands.Ng is an African business intelligence and brand discovery platform covering fintech, digital platforms, ecommerce, logistics, payments, consumer technology, business growth, and emerging market trends across the continent. Our work combines market research, industry analysis, consumer insights, regulatory developments, and operational intelligence to evaluate the companies, technologies, and systems shaping how Africans access financial services, digital commerce, online platforms, and modern business infrastructure. Drawing on expertise in business strategy, digital marketing, SEO, brand analysis, market intelligence, and technology research, the editorial team produces independent reviews, comparisons, industry reports, and investigative guides designed to help readers make more informed decisions. Through Brands.Ng Intelligence, we also analyze broader market developments, competitive dynamics, consumer behavior, and regulatory changes affecting businesses and industries across Africa.
