MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026: Complete Guide for African Students.
Nigeria and Ghana: verified eligibility, award values, deadlines, and application steps
The MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 provides tuition support, an annual stipend, a laptop, and access to a professional network.
However, the programme does not operate as a single pan-African scheme. Instead, it runs as separate national programmes in Nigeria and Ghana, each with distinct eligibility rules, portals, and deadlines.
This guide covers verified requirements for both countries so you can confirm your eligibility before you apply.
Quick Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | MTN Foundation (CSR arm of MTN Group) |
| Countries Covered | Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon (each runs an independent cycle) |
| Academic Level | Undergraduate students at accredited public universities and polytechnics |
| Priority Fields | STEM, ICT, Computer Science, Engineering, AI, Data Analytics |
| Award Includes | Tuition fees, annual stipend, laptop, mentorship, MTN professional network access |
| Nigeria Award Value | N300,000 per academic year (Science & Technology Scholarship) |
| Expected Deadline | Application periods have historically fallen around April (Nigeria) and May (Ghana). Confirm exact 2026 dates on the official portal. |
| Nigeria Portal | foundation.mtnonline.com |
| Ghana Portal | scholarship.mtn.com.gh |
What the MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 Covers
Both the Nigerian and Ghanaian programmes share a similar award structure, though the specific values differ by country. In Nigeria, for example, the Science and Technology Scholarship pays N300,000 per academic year.
In Ghana, by contrast, the award covers tuition, accommodation, and a research device, with the stipend value determined per cycle.
Across both markets, the following components are consistently included.
Tuition prices: MTN will pay fees directly to the institution, so college students no longer go through the compensation system.
Annual Stipend: Covers residential prices, books and shipping. Nigeria specifies N300,000; The Ghanaian tariff varies with the help of the wheel.
Laptops or Study Equipment: MTN presents laptops or tablets to recipients as part of the normal prize bundle.
Mentorship get right of entry to: Scholars connect with MTN experts and alumni through structured periods.
MTN Community Access: Scholars are entitled to access the MTN Foundation’s professional community and alumni network through the program.
Renewal Provision (Nigeria): MTN renews the scholarship annually up to graduation, supply scholars keep the desired CGPA.
Nigeria: MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 Eligibility
The MTN Nigeria Foundation (MTNF) administers the Nigerian program and currently offers scholarship bands. Since each music targets a unique scholarly organization, it is miles important to discover which one applies to you prior to beginning the usefulness.
Science and Technology Scholarship (STS)
This track awards N300,000 to 300 students per cycle. To qualify, applicants must be at 300 level in a Nigerian public tertiary institution and must study a science or technology-related discipline.
Additionally, the top 10 UTME candidates each year receive a separate direct award from 100 level onwards, independent of the STS cycle.
Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS)
Unlike the STS, the SBS welcomes students across all courses. Both 200-level and 300-level blind students are therefore eligible. For law students on a 5-year programme, however, only 300-level students may apply.
Nigeria Eligibility at a Glance
| Criteria | Nigeria (MTNF) |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Nigerian nationals enrolled in a Nigerian public tertiary institution |
| Eligible Institutions | Universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education |
| Year of Study (STS) | 300 level students (200 level for Blind Students scholarship) |
| CGPA Requirement | Minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, or 3.5 on a 5.0 scale equivalent to a Second Class Upper (university) or Credit (polytechnic). These are the two grading scales used across Nigerian public tertiary institutions. |
| Fields (STS) | Science and technology-related disciplines (priority) |
| Blind Students (SBS) | All courses eligible; 200 and 300 level blind students may apply |
| Award Value | N300,000 per academic year, renewable until graduation if the scholar maintains grades |
| Aptitude Test | Dragnet Solutions delivers the test online: Mathematics, English, General Paper (60–100 questions) |
| Portal | foundation.mtnonline.com/scholarship/stss |
Nigeria application portal: foundation.mtnonline.com/scholarship/stss
Ghana: MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 Eligibility
Known as the MTN Ghana Foundation Bright Scholarship, the Ghana programme runs as a completely separate cycle from Nigeria, with the MTN Ghana Foundation handling all administration.
Unlike the Nigerian STS, it carries an explicit financial need requirement. As a result, students who are academically strong but unable to fund their own education form the primary target group.
Priority goes to applicants from specific regions, including Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, North East, Western North, and Oti.
Furthermore, women and persons with disability receive specific encouragement to apply. Importantly, students who already hold another educational scholarship do not qualify under any circumstances.
Ghana Eligibility at a Glance
| Criteria | Ghana (MTN Ghana Foundation) |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Ghanaian nationals only |
| Eligible Institutions | Public tertiary institutions in Ghana; vocational/technical training included |
| Year of Study | First-year and continuing undergraduate students |
| Financial Need | Must demonstrate financial need (brilliant but needy) |
| Academic Record | Good conduct, strong academic results, no disciplinary record |
| Priority Fields | ICT, Computer Science, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics |
| Other Scholarship | Students who already hold another scholarship do not qualify |
| Encouraged Groups | Women and persons with disability receive specific encouragement to apply |
| Award Includes | Tuition, accommodation, research device (laptop/tablet), stipend for materials |
| Portal | scholarship.mtn.com.gh |
Ghana application portal: scholarship.mtn.com.gh
Nigeria vs Ghana: Side-by-Side Eligibility Comparison
Although both programmes carry the MTN Foundation name, they operate independently and have meaningfully different requirements.
The table below highlights the key differences so you can determine which programme suits your situation, or whether both apply.
| Factor | Nigeria | Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Nigerian nationals | Ghanaian nationals |
| Institution type | Public universities, polytechnics, colleges | Public tertiary institutions; vocational training included |
| Year of study | 300 level (STS) | Year 1 or continuing student |
| Academic bar | Min. 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 CGPA | Strong academic record (no fixed CGPA published) |
| Financial need test | Not explicitly required | Yes, demonstrated need required |
| Priority fields | Science and technology | ICT, Engineering, AI, Data Analytics |
| Dual scholarship ban | Not stated in public criteria | Yes, explicit disqualification |
| Award value | N300,000/year | Tuition + accommodation + device + stipend |
| Application portal | foundation.mtnonline.com | scholarship.mtn.com.gh |
| Typical deadline period | Historically around April | Historically around May |
How to Apply for the MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026
Nigeria Application Steps
- Visit the portal: Visit https://www.mtn.ng/foundation/mtn-scholarships/ to have access to their official application.
- Confirm Eligibility First: Before filling any period, confirm that you are within 3 hundred ranks within a public organization in Nigeria and that your CGPA meets the requirement.
- Complete the Internet Form: Enter non-public and academic data accurately considering the truth that any inconsistencies within the uploaded files will result in disqualification.
- Upload your documents: Include admission form, scholar ID, educational transcripts, passport photos and proof of citizenship.. Submit before the closing date.
- Confirm the exact end date of 2026 in the portal, as it changes every 12 months. Sit the Ability Test: Shortlisted applicants then take a whole on-line through Dragnet Solutions defending Mathematics, English and Common Papers. Passed statistical validation.
- Finally, successful candidates undergo a verification test, and MTN confirms the simplest award upon completion of this diploma.
Ghana Application Steps
- Register on the portal. Create an account at scholarship.mtn.com.gh using a valid email address.
- Fill inside the software program size. Complete all fields appropriately before proceeding to add the document.
- Write a motivation letter. Prepare a web page that honestly states your instructional and business goals, due to the fact incentive letters are an important part of Ghana utility.
- Upload the help files.Include instructional copies and evidence of monetary fraud as directed by the portal. Submit before the due date.
- Verify the exact cut-off date of 2026 in Ghana port before filing.
- Attend the panel interview. MTN finally notifies the shortlisted applicants through e-mail or SMS and invites them to face the scholarship panel.
Key Tips for the MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 Application
The following tips apply to both countries unless stated otherwise. Rather than repeating advice across multiple sections, all practical guidance is consolidated here.
- CGPA (Nigeria only): The minimum requirement is 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, or 3.5 on a 5.0 scale broadly equivalent to a B average. If you are borderline, however, a strong personal statement and community record can support your application.
- Motivation letter (Ghana only): Be unique about your goals. General papers are sincere for selection groups to discover and clarify.
- Document consistency (both countries): Your names, dates and organization information must be precisely written throughout your form and all uploaded files.
- Dual scholarship ban (Ghana only): And if you are currently holding any other scholarship, you do not qualify. So don’t apply.
- Financial need (Ghana only): The Ghana program targets students who cannot fund their individual education. Be thorough and honest about your financial situation.
- Document integrity (both countries): Both programs disqualify candidates who have false records on submitted documents, even at the very last award stage.
- Deadline (both countries): The application period has historically fallen around April (Nigeria) and May (Ghana). In either case, confirm the exact 2026 dates on the respective MTN legit portals before preparing your files.
Official Sources and References
All information in this guide comes from publicly available content on the official MTN Foundation portals listed below.
Application requirements, award values, and deadlines are subject to change each cycle.
Always verify current details directly with the relevant national foundation before applying.
| Source | URL |
|---|---|
| MTN Nigeria Foundation Scholarship Portal | Â foundation.mtnonline.com/scholarship/stss |
| MTN Ghana Foundation Scholarship Portal | Â scholarship.mtn.com.gh |
| MTN Group Corporate Website | mtn.com |
| MTN Skills Academy (post-graduate programmes) | skillsacademy.mtn.com |
This article does not represent MTN Group, MTN Nigeria, or MTN Ghana Foundation. It is an independent guide for informational purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions: MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026
Eligibility and Citizenship
Can I apply from outside Nigeria or Ghana? Each country runs its own independent cycle. Consequently, citizens of other MTN markets like Uganda, Rwanda, and Cameroon should check their local MTN Foundation portal for any active scholarship cycles.
Is the Nigeria scholarship open to private university students? Unfortunately, it is not. The MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship covers only students at Nigerian public tertiary institutions.
Does the Ghana scholarship cover private institutions? Private university students do not qualify under this programme. In Ghana, eligibility is limited to students at public tertiary institutions only.
Is there an age limit? No age limit appears in the publicly available criteria for either country. Instead, eligibility centres on year of study and academic performance.
Can I apply if I already hold another scholarship (Ghana)? Holding an existing scholarship disqualifies you from the Ghana programme. The MTN Ghana Foundation explicitly states this condition, so do not apply if you already receive other educational funding.
Academic Requirements
What does CGPA mean, and how do I know if mine qualifies? CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average. Nigerian public universities typically use either a 5.0 or a 4.0 grading scale.
Specifically, the MTNF requires a minimum of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale roughly equivalent to a B average. To confirm which scale your institution uses, check your transcript or student portal.
Does a top UTME rank help in Nigeria? Yes. MTN Nigeria Foundation awards scholarships directly to the top 10 UTME candidates from 100 level, entirely separate from the main STS application cycle.
Tests, Interviews, and Tracking
What does the Nigeria aptitude test cover? Dragnet Solutions administers the test online. Overall, it covers roughly 60 to 100 questions across Mathematics, English, and General Paper.
How do I track my Nigeria application? MTN notifies shortlisted applicants by email or SMS. In addition, you can log in to the portal at foundation.mtnonline.com to check your application status directly.
How do I track my Ghana application? After submitting, log in to scholarship.mtn.com.gh and select Payment History to monitor the status of your request.
Deadlines and Information Accuracy
Where can I find the official 2026 deadline? MTN publishes cut-off dates on business portals: foundation.mtnonline.com/scholarship/stss for Nigeria and scholarship.mtn.com.gh for Ghana
Application gaps have historically opened and closed in the April (Nigeria) and May (Ghana) rounds, yet these dates trade on an annual basis. Always confirm on the portal before preparing documents.
 Are records on third party scholarship websites reliable? Not always. Aggregator websites sometimes do not report accurate information on eligibility criteria, prize values, and deadlines.
For accurate, up-to-date information, therefore, always refer to the official MTN Foundation portal for your country.
Does MTN publish a list of past scholarship recipients? MTN Nigeria Foundation has published beneficiary announcements in previous cycles via its official website and social media channels.
To find any published lists from recent cycles, check foundation.mtnonline.com or the MTNF social accounts directly.
Other Programmes
Is there a postgraduate option? The main scholarship targets undergraduate students only. However, MTN runs separate ICT and vocational skills training programmes for graduates through skillsacademy.mtn.com.
Final Summary
MTN Foundation Scholarship 2026 is running as two awesome programs.
The Science and Technology Scholarship in Nigeria targets three hundred level college students in public institutions, paying N300,000 corresponding to 12 months with annual renewal.
In Ghana, through assessment, bright scholarships target students who are academically strong yet financially disadvantaged, masking training, accommodation and study equipment.
As eligibility policies, portals and cut-off dates are different in the 2 countries, applicants should verify all modern requirements including exact remaining dates in the authentic portal for their contry.
Before you start. Both programs check all submitted documents,that include false or inconsistent information face disqualification regardless of how long they have progressed.
Want to compare Ireland with other leading destinations? Our guide to the Best Study Abroad Countries for African Students in 2026 compares tuition fees, scholarships, living costs, student work rights, and post-study opportunities across the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Ireland, and more, helping you make a well-informed decision before you apply.
Scholarship terms and deadlines are subject to change. Always verify current details on the official MTN Foundation portal for your country before applying.