By Peace Udugba
The MTN Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Scholarship Programmes as part of its commitment to promoting academic excellence and empowering young Nigerians through education.
The scholarship programme covers the Science and Technology Scholarship (STS), the Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS), and a newly introduced Medical Scholarship category designed to provide financial support to outstanding medical students in public tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across Nigeria.
According to the Foundation, the Medical Scholarship, previously grouped under STEM scholarships, will now operate as a separate category to provide targeted support for medical students.
To address the rising cost of higher education and current economic realities, 400 successful applicants, including 100 medical students, will receive an annual scholarship award of ₦300,000. The scholarship is intended to cover tuition, textbooks and living expenses, allowing beneficiaries to focus on their studies without financial strain.
Speaking on the initiative, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, said the programme reflects the organisation’s continued investment in the future of Nigerian youths.
“This call for applications reinforces our long-standing commitment to Nigerian youth by providing them with the resources needed to compete and excel globally. Our aim is to empower these bright minds to become the drivers of a technologically advanced Nigeria. At the MTN Foundation, we firmly believe that financial limitations should not stifle academic potential,” she said.
The Foundation explained that the 2026 scholarship programme targets eligible 300-level students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses, 400-level medical students in public tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals, as well as blind students in 200-level and 300-level courses.
The ₦300,000 scholarship award is renewable annually until graduation, provided beneficiaries maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 for STS recipients and 2.5 for SBS recipients.
In addition to financial support, beneficiaries will have access to mentorship opportunities, technical training and employability workshops through the Foundation’s Skill Up initiative. The programme is designed to equip students with practical and soft skills needed to succeed in a competitive and digital economy.
Now in its 15th year, the MTN Foundation Scholarship Programme remains one of the organisation’s flagship education and youth development initiatives, supporting thousands of students across Nigeria while helping to reduce economic barriers to education.
Interested applicants can apply through MTN Nigeria Scholarship Portal before the May 31, 2026 deadline.
