If you are a student from the Niger Delta and you have not yet applied for the 2026 Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Scholarship, stop what you are doing and read this now. The application portal closes on Thursday, August 21, 2026 — and there will be no extension. Once the portal shuts, it shuts.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, is offering full funding for undergraduate and postgraduate study at selected Nigerian universities. This is a government-backed, zero-fee scholarship that covers tuition, living allowance and book costs. You do not pay anything to apply — and if anyone claims otherwise, they are scamming you.
Here is everything eligible students need to know, with time running out.
What Is the Presidential Amnesty Programme Scholarship?
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) was established by the Federal Government as part of its strategy to promote peace, reintegration and human capital development in the Niger Delta region. One key arm of the programme is an annual scholarship that funds higher education for eligible indigenes of the nine Niger Delta states.
Unlike one-off grants, this scholarship is structured as ongoing support — covering each academic session for as long as the student meets the academic conditions. It is administered through the official government portal at scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng and targets both fresh undergraduates (100-level students) and postgraduate candidates looking to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees.
The 2026 cycle is now open for the 2026/2027 academic session. The deadline is August 21, 2026.
Which States Are Eligible?
Only indigenes of the following nine Niger Delta states qualify for this scholarship:
- Abia
- Akwa Ibom
- Bayelsa
- Cross River
- Delta
- Edo
- Imo
- Ondo
- Rivers
You must be a genuine indigene of your state and be able to provide a valid Local Government Area (LGA) letter of identification to prove this. Applications without proper identification will not be considered.
What the Scholarship Covers
Successful PAP scholarship beneficiaries receive:
- Full tuition coverage — The programme pays your institution directly, meaning you do not have to source tuition funds yourself.
- Monthly living allowance — A regular stipend to help with accommodation and daily needs during your studies.
- Book allowance — Additional support for academic materials and educational resources.
This combination makes the PAP scholarship one of the most comprehensive domestically-funded scholarships available to Nigerian students today. You study at an approved Nigerian university, so there are no visa costs or relocation challenges.
Eligibility Requirements — Undergraduate Track
If you are applying for the undergraduate scholarship, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- You are an indigene of one of the nine eligible Niger Delta states listed above.
- You are at least 16 years old.
- You sat for the 2026 UTME (JAMB examination) or you have already gained admission as a 100-level student for the 2026/2027 academic session.
- You have your 2026 UTME result slip available — not pending, already in hand.
- You hold an O’Level result (WAEC or NECO) with at least five (5) credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics. Awaiting results are NOT accepted.
- You have a valid LGA letter of identification.
- Your intended course of study is on the PAP-approved list.
This is important: if your WAEC or NECO result is not yet out, you cannot apply for this cycle. The portal requires confirmed results at the time of submission.
Eligibility Requirements — Postgraduate Track
The postgraduate track is for students seeking to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD at approved Nigerian institutions. In addition to meeting the state indigeneship requirement and having an LGA identification letter, postgraduate applicants must:
- Hold a First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result (for Master’s applicants) or a Master’s Degree Certificate (for PhD applicants).
- Have completed NYSC and hold an official Discharge Certificate or Exemption Letter.
- If applying as a returning PAP beneficiary, hold a First Class or Second Class Upper (2:1) degree. Returning scholars with lower grades are not guaranteed continued sponsorship.
- Be prepared for a possible written screening test ahead of the selection interview.
Continuing Scholarship Conditions
Getting the scholarship is only the first step. PAP reviews each beneficiary’s academic performance every session. To stay on the scholarship, you must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.0 throughout your studies. Misconduct or the discovery of false information in your application can also lead to immediate withdrawal of funding. The PAP office takes verification seriously — every document you upload is subject to confirmation.
Documents You Must Prepare
Before logging into the portal, make sure you have clear, readable digital scans of the following documents ready to upload:
For Undergraduate Applicants:
- O’Level result certificate (WAEC or NECO — five credits including English and Maths)
- 2026 JAMB/UTME result slip
- Local Government Area (LGA) Identification Letter
- Birth certificate or valid age declaration
Additional Documents for Postgraduate Applicants:
- First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result (Master’s applicants) / Master’s Degree Certificate (PhD applicants)
- Official academic transcripts
- NYSC Discharge Certificate or Exemption Letter
Do not start filling the form without these documents at hand. Incomplete applications will not be accepted, and there is no opportunity to resubmit after the August 21 deadline.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step
The entire application is done online through the official PAP scholarship portal. Here is how to do it:
- Visit the official portal: Go to scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng.
- Create an account or log in: Click “Apply” on the homepage to register a new account, or “Log in” if you already have one from a previous cycle.
- Fill the application form: Enter your personal information, state of origin, academic details and course of interest accurately. Double-check every field.
- Upload your documents: Attach all required documents as clear digital scans. Blurry, incomplete or unreadable uploads will cause your application to fail.
- Submit before August 21: Once submitted, review your confirmation carefully. The portal closes strictly at midnight on August 21, 2026. No exceptions, no extensions.
Remember: The scholarship is completely free. You do not pay any application fee, processing fee or “slot” charge. If anyone contacts you asking for money to secure an admission slot or scholarship placement, report them immediately. The PAP office has explicitly warned that it has no individual or third-party agents.
Important Warning: Avoid Scammers
Every year, fraudsters exploit high-stakes scholarships like this one. Common scams include fake “agents” who claim to guarantee your scholarship placement in exchange for money, fake WhatsApp groups sharing doctored application forms, and fake websites designed to look like the official portal. Always use scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng — the government’s official URL. If the address bar shows anything else, close the tab immediately.
Why This Scholarship Matters Right Now
The 2026/2027 admission cycle is in full swing. JAMB CAPS is open, admission lists are being released daily, and Post-UTME screenings are in progress across universities. For many Niger Delta students, tuition funding is the single biggest obstacle between gaining admission and actually starting studies. The PAP scholarship directly removes that barrier — but only for those who apply before the deadline.
With August 21 just two days away, there is genuinely no time to delay. If you are eligible, apply today. If you know someone who is eligible — a sibling, classmate, neighbour — share this information with them now. The portal may close before many people even realise the window existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply if I am still waiting on my WAEC result?
A: No. The scholarship requires confirmed WAEC or NECO results at the time of application. Awaiting results are not accepted for the 2026 cycle.
Q: Do I need to have gained admission before applying?
A: For undergraduates, you can apply if you sat the 2026 UTME, even if you are not yet admitted. If you are already a new 100-level entrant for 2026/2027, you also qualify.
Q: What happens after I submit my application?
A: The PAP office reviews applications and may invite candidates for a screening test and interview. Successful applicants are notified through their registered email or phone. Keep your contact details active.
Q: Is the scholarship renewable?
A: Yes — the scholarship is structured for the full duration of your programme, not just one year. However, you must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.0 each session to remain eligible.
Q: What courses are approved?
A: The PAP publishes an approved course list on the portal. Check this list before selecting your course during the application to confirm your programme qualifies.
Q: I received the PAP scholarship before. Can I apply again?
A: Returning beneficiaries can apply for postgraduate support, but must hold a First Class or Second Class Upper degree. Continuation is at the discretion of the programme and is not guaranteed.
Apply Now — Do Not Wait
The application portal is live at scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng. The deadline is August 21, 2026. If you are an indigene of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo or Rivers State and you have your JAMB result and O’Level certificate ready, there is nothing stopping you from applying right now.
Use the Examscholars platform to sharpen your academic performance and ensure your results and knowledge are strong enough to meet the scholarship’s continuing conditions once you are awarded funding. Practice now, apply today.
Sources:
Presidential Amnesty Programme — Official Scholarship Portal: scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng
Myschool Scholarships listing: myschoolscholarships.org
