Important update for Nigerian undergraduates: the National Universities Commission (NUC) has published a new notice on an Aliko Dangote Foundation scholarship programme that is expected to support 30,000 students in the first phase.
The notice says the scheme is intended for eligible undergraduates studying Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and related disciplines in Nigerian federal and state universities. It is scheduled to commence in October 2026, alongside the 2026/2027 academic session, and five per cent of the scholarship quota is reserved for students living with disabilities.
However, students should pay close attention to what has not been announced. The NUC notice does not publish an application form, application fee, closing date, list of participating universities or an official application portal. Therefore, this is a confirmed scholarship announcement, not an announcement that applications are currently open.
What the NUC has confirmed
| Item | Confirmed position |
|---|---|
| Programme | Aliko Dangote Foundation scholarship programme |
| First-phase target | 30,000 eligible undergraduate students |
| Institutions named in the latest notice | Nigerian federal and state universities |
| Priority areas | Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and related disciplines |
| Minimum academic requirement stated | CGPA of 2.5, described by the NUC as equivalent to Second Class Lower Division |
| Geographical reach | The scheme is intended to cover all 774 local government areas |
| Disability inclusion | Five per cent of the scholarship quota is reserved for students living with disabilities |
| Expected start | October 2026, alongside the 2026/2027 academic session |
| Selection | Applicants will undergo a selection process |
| Deadline and portal | Not published in the NUC notice |
Who may be considered?
Based on the official notice, the likely audience is undergraduate students in Nigerian federal and state universities whose courses fall within STEM, medicine or a related discipline. The stated minimum is a CGPA of 2.5. The NUC also says the programme will use a selection process, which means meeting the CGPA threshold alone should not be treated as a guarantee of an award.
The notice does not state a year of study, household-income threshold, nationality wording, course-by-course list, number of beneficiaries per university or whether students must already be enrolled at the beginning of the 2026/2027 session. Those details matter when applications open and should come from the Foundation, the NUC or an officially designated university channel.
Students living with disabilities should take note of the inclusion provision. The NUC says five per cent of the quota will be reserved for them, but it does not yet publish the supporting documents, assessment process or accessibility arrangements that will apply.
When will the scholarship begin?
The NUC notice says the scheme is scheduled to commence in October 2026, alongside the beginning of the 2026/2027 academic session. This is a programme start indication, not an application deadline. Students should not assume that an October start means a form must be submitted on a particular date until an official call for applications is issued.
The wording also leaves several operational questions open: whether applications will be submitted directly to the Foundation, through a central NUC platform, through participating universities or through another approved body. The notice says the NUC will engage the Committee of Vice-Chancellors to facilitate awareness and encourage eligible students to apply, but it does not identify a live application page.
What students should do now
- Keep your academic records ready. Check that your current result or transcript accurately reflects your CGPA and that your name is consistent across school records and identification documents.
- Confirm your course classification. The notice refers to STEM, medicine and related disciplines. Do not assume that every course will qualify until the final course list is published.
- Monitor official channels. Watch the NUC website, the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s verified public communications and your university’s official website or student-affairs notices.
- Do not pay for early access. No application fee or official portal is stated in the current NUC notice. Treat WhatsApp forms, agents, personal bank-account requests and social-media links as unverified until an official source confirms them.
- Save only verified instructions. When the call opens, confirm the exact eligibility rules, required documents, opening date, closing date, contact details and submission URL before uploading personal information.
Is there an application form or deadline?
Not yet, based on the latest official notice reviewed for this report. The NUC confirms the planned scholarship and its broad eligibility direction, but it does not link to an application form, publish a fee, provide a deadline or name a final selection portal.
This distinction is important because scholarship scams often appear after a large programme is announced. A page using the Dangote name is not automatically official. Students should wait for a link published by the NUC, the Foundation or a university that has been formally identified as a participating institution.
How this relates to the wider Dangote education initiative
The latest NUC notice is part of a broader education-support initiative announced by the Aliko Dangote Foundation. A Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation report on the launch described a ₦100 billion annual education-support programme projected over ten years and said beneficiaries would be selected through a transparent, merit-based process.
Earlier NUC reporting also discussed a plan to support students in public tertiary institutions and described a proposed STEM focus. The latest notice should be used for the current operational points reported here: 30,000 first-phase undergraduates, the 2.5 CGPA threshold, October 2026 commencement, 774-LGA reach and the five per cent disability quota. Students should not transfer figures from older announcements into an application checklist until the final guidelines are released.
What remains to be announced
- the official application URL;
- the application opening and closing dates;
- whether applications will be free;
- the final list of eligible courses and universities;
- the required academic, identity and disability-support documents;
- the award value and whether it covers tuition, other study costs or both;
- the number of students selected from each institution or local government area;
- the process for checking application and award status; and
- the official contact point for questions and complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dangote Foundation scholarship application open now?
The latest NUC notice confirms the programme but does not announce an open application form or application portal. Do not submit personal information or pay anyone based only on an unofficial advert.
How many students will benefit?
The first phase is expected to target 30,000 eligible undergraduate students.
What CGPA is required?
The NUC notice states a minimum CGPA of 2.5, which it describes as equivalent to Second Class Lower Division.
Which courses are covered?
The notice names Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and related disciplines. A complete course list has not yet been published.
Is there a deadline?
No application deadline is provided in the notice. October 2026 is described as the expected programme commencement period, not a submission deadline.
Will students with disabilities be considered?
Yes. The NUC says five per cent of the scholarship quota will be reserved for students living with disabilities. The application evidence and accessibility process are still to be published.
Bottom line
The Dangote Foundation scholarship is now a confirmed and significant development for Nigerian undergraduates, especially students in STEM, medicine and related fields. The NUC says the first phase will target 30,000 students and is planned for the 2026/2027 academic session. For now, the correct action is preparation and verification: keep your records ready, monitor official announcements and avoid any person or website claiming to collect money for an application that has not yet been officially opened.
Primary source: National Universities Commission — Aliko Dangote Foundation Initiates Scholarship for Nigerian Public Varsities.
Related official context: Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation — Major Boost for Education Sector as VP Shettima Launches Dangote Foundation Scholarship Initiative; NUC — Aliko Dangote Foundation Team Pays Advocacy Visit to NUC.
Featured image: Original editorial illustration created for Exams Scholars; it is not a photograph of the scholarship programme.
