If you are a second-year student in a Nigerian university with a strong first-year result, the NNPC/SNEPCo National University Scholarship is worth an afternoon of careful paperwork. The listing we reviewed gives a deadline of 30 November 2026. That leaves about five weeks from today, 24 October, and most of that time will go on getting documents signed, not on typing.
This post uses the details on the listing page (linked at the bottom). The page itself is a scholarship directory and refers to the programme as the "2025" award while showing a 2026 deadline. So confirm dates and the current application link on the official scholarship portal before you submit anything.
What the scholarship is
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) invites applications on behalf of itself, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and its co-venture partners. The programme aims to promote academic excellence and improve the skills of young Nigerians.
It is a grant, not a loan. According to the listing, it pays ₦250,000 per year to successful applicants from their second year until they finish their undergraduate degree. No essay is required and no language test is needed.
Who can apply
The listing gives four requirements. You must:
- Be a Nigerian citizen.
- Currently be in the second year of full-time study at a Nigerian university accredited by the NUC.
- Have a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5-point scale, or the equivalent in another grading system.
- Not be a beneficiary of any other scholarship from an entity in the oil and gas industry, national or international.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The listing also says a very large list of courses is eligible (it shows more than 800), so check your exact course name on the official portal rather than assuming.
Check the fine print on your situation
- Part-time or distance learning: the listing says full-time study. If you are not on a full-time programme, ask the scholarship board before applying.
- Direct entry students: the listing says second year of study and asks for results of at least two academic semesters. If your first session was your first at that university, you may still fit, but confirm.
- Other oil and gas awards: if you already hold one, you are not eligible. Do not hide it. A disclosed conflict is better than a disqualification later.
Documents to prepare first
The portal asks for scanned uploads. Start collecting these now, because some depend on other people:
- A recent passport photograph in JPEG format, not more than 200 KB. The application steps say to use a white background.
- Your university or JAMB admission letter.
- Your UTME result.
- O'Level result(s), plus A'Level, OND or NCE results where they apply.
- A Letter of Identification from your state of origin showing your local government of origin.
- Your CGPA after the first year, covering at least two semesters of results.
- The signed Government Official declaration form. The listing links to a download for it.
The slowest item is usually the state-of-origin letter. Your local government office decides how quickly it is issued, so ask for it this week. Also keep in mind that your Head of Department must sign your application profile later in the process.
Step-by-step application
- Open the scholarship webpage from the official application link.
- Click "Apply Now" at the top right, then "Register Now" to create an account.
- Check your email and activate the account.
- Enter your personal details, National Identification Number (NIN), educational information and other requested details, then upload your documents.
- Make sure the name you use matches the names on all your documents, in the same order. If it does not, the listing says to upload a sworn affidavit or certificate.
- Open each uploaded file to confirm it is clear and correct.
- Recheck everything, then click "Apply Now" to submit.
- You should get an email and an SMS confirming a successful application.
- Log back in at the candidate portal given in the listing (candidate.scholastica.ng), download your profile, and have your Head of Department sign it.
- Upload the scanned signed profile. It is used for verification.
The listing warns that multiple applications attract a disqualification penalty. Submit once, carefully.
Worked example (hypothetical)
Say Ada is in 200 level at a federal university. Her first-year CGPA is 4.1 on the 5-point scale, so she clears the 3.5 threshold. She has no other scholarship. On 24 October she plans like this:
- This week: request her state-of-origin letter, download the declaration form, and find her UTME slip and O'Level results.
- Next week: scan everything, resize her photo under 200 KB, and fix a name mismatch (her certificate has her middle name first, so she prepares an affidavit).
- Mid-November: register and submit, then take the printed profile to her HOD.
- Before 30 November: upload the signed profile, with buffer days for network failure.
If she is awarded the grant and keeps to the programme, the ₦250,000 yearly payment, as described, would run through the rest of her degree. Treat it as help with books, transport or fees, not a full ride.
Common mistakes
- Name mismatch. Surname order differing between your JAMB slip, certificate and NIN is the easiest way to stall. Fix it with an affidavit as instructed.
- Oversized photo. Over 200 KB or the wrong format will fail the upload. Use a free image compressor on your phone.
- Leaving the HOD signature to the last day. Lecturers travel and strike. Book it early.
- Applying twice because the confirmation email was slow. Check your spam folder and SMS first.
- Waiting for power and data. Do uploads in daytime with a charged phone or power bank and a stable connection.
Protect yourself from scams
The listing mentions no application fee. Anyone asking you to pay to "secure" a slot, or promising to fix your result, is not offering a real service. Never share your portal password. Read How to Spot Fake Scholarship Agents and Paid-For-Award Scams before paying anyone for help.
If you do not qualify
If your CGPA is below 3.5 or you are past second year, this one is closed to you. Look at other options and compare their real value in Tuition Waiver vs Stipend Scholarships: Compare the Real Cost. If you are planning for a master's abroad after graduating, start with A 12-Month Scholarship Application Timeline for Nigerian Graduates.
Frequently asked questions
Is an essay required?
The listing says no.
How much is the award?
₦250,000 per year, from second year to the end of the undergraduate programme, per the listing.
Can final-year students apply?
The requirement is current second-year, full-time study. Final-year students do not appear to qualify.
Which course lists count?
The listing shows a long list of eligible courses. Check yours on the official portal.
Next step: today, request your state-of-origin letter and check your name spelling across every document. Everything else can follow.
Listing referenced: NNPC-SNEPCo University Scholarship Award on Scholarship Region.
Sources
Details checked against the official sources above on 24 October 2026. Things change, so confirm on the official site before you act.
Scholarship details, deadlines and eligibility can change. Always confirm on the official website before applying, and never pay anyone who promises to "guarantee" a scholarship.