By Ayomiode Otitoju
MTN Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Scholarship Programmes, reaffirming its commitment to supporting academic excellence and developing future Nigerian leaders.
The initiative covers the Science and Technology Scholarship (STS), the Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS), and a newly introduced Medical Scholarship category designed to provide targeted financial support to outstanding medical students in public tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across Nigeria.
Under the 2026 cycle, 400 students will benefit from the scheme, including 100 medical students. Each recipient will receive an annual grant of ₦300,000 to cover tuition, textbooks and living expenses.
According to the Foundation, the expanded programme responds to rising education costs and broader economic challenges, with the aim of easing financial pressure on students while improving academic outcomes.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the initiative is designed to equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to compete globally.
“This call for applications reinforces our long-standing commitment to Nigerian youth by providing them with the resources needed to compete and excel globally,” she said.
The 2026 scholarship targets 300-level students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), 400-level medical students in public tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals, as well as 200- and 300-level blind students.
The annual award is renewable until graduation, subject to maintaining a minimum CGPA of 3.5 for STS beneficiaries and 2.5 for SBS recipients.
Beyond financial assistance, beneficiaries will also gain access to mentorship, technical training and employability workshops under the Foundation’s Skill Up initiative, aimed at enhancing their soft and digital skills.
Now in its 15th year, the scholarship programme has supported thousands of students across Nigeria and remains a key pillar of MTN Foundation’s education and youth empowerment efforts.
