Students from Rivers State and eligible Ogoni women still have time to apply for the Kponee-Shovein Foundation’s 2026 scholarship cycle. The foundation says applications for its Scholars Award and Josephine Kponee Fellowship will be accepted until Tuesday, 15 September 2026. As at 26 August 2026, that leaves 20 calendar days to prepare and submit a complete application.
The opportunity is relevant to undergraduates who are studying for a first degree at an accredited university in Nigeria and need financial support to continue. The foundation’s official pages say the Scholars Award provides one academic year of full university tuition plus a stipend, while the Josephine Kponee Fellowship is designed for Ogoni women and can provide tuition support and a yearly stipend through the first degree, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
What the Kponee-Shovein 2026 scholarship covers
The 2026 cycle contains two related opportunities:
| Opportunity | Who it is for | Published benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Kponee-Shovein Scholars Award | Rivers State indigenes pursuing a bachelor’s degree | One academic year of university tuition plus a stipend |
| Josephine Kponee Fellowship Award | Ogoni women pursuing a first degree | University tuition and a yearly stipend for the duration of the first degree, subject to academic progress |
For the Scholars Award, the foundation says tuition is paid directly to the recipient’s university and the stipend is transferred to the scholar. It also says the award is open to students in all years of study, all subject areas and any accredited university in Nigeria.
The fellowship has a narrower identity requirement: the applicant must be an Ogoni woman. The official fellowship page says recipients must maintain first-class honours or high second-class upper-division performance, described there as a CGPA above 4.0, each academic year.
Who can apply?
Kponee-Shovein Scholars Award
According to the foundation’s eligibility page, applicants should meet these conditions:
- Be a Rivers State indigene.
- Be pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
- Be studying in any year and any subject area at an accredited university in Nigeria.
- Demonstrate financial need, academic ability and a commitment to contributing to Rivers State, Nigeria and Africa.
The foundation says previous recipients may apply again in the next cycle with an updated transcript and a short essay of up to 1,000 words explaining how the scholarship has supported their academic success and wellbeing.
Josephine Kponee Fellowship
The fellowship is for an Ogoni woman enrolled in a first-degree programme at an accredited Nigerian university. The foundation’s criteria also consider financial need, academic ability, leadership and commitment to the Ogoni people, Nigeria and Africa. The published award information says the support can continue through the first degree if the recipient maintains the required academic standard.
Documents and essays required
Applicants should not wait until the final week. The official application instructions require a completed application form and supporting documents sent to kponeeshoveinfoundation@gmail.com.
Prepare the following:
- Essay 1, of not more than 1,000 words, explaining your motivation for your course of study, why you need the scholarship and your career plans.
- Essay 2, of not more than 1,000 words, describing your experience as a Rivers State indigene or, for the fellowship, as an Ogoni indigene, and how those experiences have shaped you.
- An official scanned transcript. The foundation says a JAMB score may be used for an applicant beginning the first year, while continuing undergraduates should provide a university transcript.
- A resume or curriculum vitae.
- Two professional recommendation letters from lecturers, professors, heads of department or teachers, depending on the award. Recommenders must send their letters directly to the foundation’s email address.
The foundation warns that an application is not complete until all listed items have been submitted. Applicants should therefore confirm that recommenders have sent their letters before assuming the form is ready for review.
How to apply before 15 September
- Read the official Scholars Award eligibility page or the official Fellowship eligibility page and decide which opportunity matches your background.
- Download and complete the relevant application form: Scholars Award form or Josephine Kponee Fellowship form.
- Write both essays within the 1,000-word limit and check that your answers address the particular award.
- Attach your transcript or JAMB score, CV and other required evidence.
- Ask two appropriate referees to send their recommendation letters directly to kponeeshoveinfoundation@gmail.com.
- Send the completed application and attachments to the foundation before 15 September 2026. The announcement gives the deadline date but does not state a closing time, so submit early in the day and keep copies of every file sent.
Applicants should use only the contact details and forms published on the foundation’s own website. The official announcement does not list an application fee. Be cautious of anyone asking for payment or claiming to guarantee selection.
What happens after submission?
The foundation says top applicants will become finalists and take part in an interview with the founders. For successful candidates, it may verify a school identity card, local government identification letter and tuition statement before releasing support. The published instructions also say a recipient must attend an in-person interview in Port Harcourt to receive tuition and stipend support.
That means an applicant should provide truthful information and ensure that names, institution details and identification records match. Do not submit altered transcripts, copied essays or documents belonging to another student.
Important deadline reminder
The closing date is 15 September 2026. It is not an expired opportunity, but the remaining time is limited once essays, transcripts and recommendation letters are considered. Students who need a transcript should request it immediately, and referees should be contacted now rather than a few days before the deadline.
Exams Scholars could not find an official closing time on the foundation’s announcement. Treat 15 September as the final date and submit before then; do not rely on a possible extension.
Official sources and application links
- Kponee-Shovein Foundation 2026 scholarship cycle announcement
- Kponee-Shovein Scholars Award: eligibility and benefits
- Scholars Award application instructions
- Josephine Kponee Fellowship: eligibility and benefits
- Josephine Kponee Fellowship application instructions
Image note: The featured image is an original illustrative image generated for this article. It is not a photograph of a scholarship recipient or an official Kponee-Shovein Foundation document.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Kponee-Shovein 2026 scholarship close?
The foundation’s 2026 announcement says applications will be accepted until 15 September 2026. No closing time is stated on the announcement.
Can students outside Rivers State apply for the Scholars Award?
The official eligibility page identifies a Rivers State indigene requirement for the Scholars Award. Applicants should not assume that residence in Rivers State alone is enough; they should meet the foundation’s indigene requirement.
Is the fellowship open to all Nigerian undergraduates?
No. The Josephine Kponee Fellowship is specifically for Ogoni women pursuing a first degree at an accredited university in Nigeria.
Does the foundation pay cash directly to applicants?
The foundation says tuition is paid directly to the appropriate school, while the stipend is transferred to the recipient. It also says identity and tuition documents may be verified.
