Scholarships for Secondary School Students in Nigeria: A Guide
Scholarships for secondary school students in Nigeria: where to look, how to apply, how to spot scams and how to plan for tertiary scholarships ahead of time.
ExamPadi Editorial · Updated · 7 min read
Every year, parents and students search for scholarships and find a swamp of outdated posts, expired deadlines and outright scams. The honest truth is that scholarships for secondary school students in Nigeria exist but are limited, and most large, well-known awards are for university or other tertiary study. This guide shows where to look, how to prepare, how to tell real offers from fake ones, and how to plan early so you are ready when tertiary opportunities appear. It deliberately avoids amounts and deadlines, because those change and belong on each provider's official page.
What kinds of support exist
| Type | Who runs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company or foundation secondary scholarships | Oil and gas companies, banks, foundations | Often competitive and limited in number |
| State government awards or bursaries | State scholarship or education boards | Usually require state indigene status; check your state's official site |
| School-based awards | Individual schools, alumni associations | May reduce fees or reward performance |
| Community, faith-based and philanthropic support | Churches, mosques, local groups and individuals | Often informal; ask your school or community leaders |
| Tertiary scholarships to plan for | Federal, state, corporate | Not for secondary school, but preparing early helps |
Examples from official sources
Two examples show how to read official information, not recommend a particular scheme.
- Shell Nigeria's education programmes. Shell Nigeria has a scholarships and education programmes page, and past NNPC/SNEPCo schemes have included secondary school awards (a 2017 Shell media release is listed in our sources). We could not confirm from the page text whether a secondary school intake is open now, and the NNPC/SNEPCo awards advertised today are mostly for university students. We state no amounts, intake sizes or deadlines; check the Shell Nigeria education page for the current position and eligibility.
- Federal Scholarship Board. The Federal Ministry of Education and its Federal Scholarship Board publish the federal awards. The Board describes its awards, including the "Nigerian Awards" for local scholarships and bursaries, as going to undergraduate and postgraduate students, so they are aimed at tertiary students. Secondary school students should read the official pages to plan ahead, not apply now. See education.gov.ng and the board's portal for current categories, eligibility and calendar.
Many other organisations offer scholarships, but we only point you to those we can trace to an official page. When you find any scheme, apply the verification steps below.
How to verify a scholarship before you apply
- Find the provider's official website yourself, by typing the address or searching for the organisation's name, not by clicking a link in a message.
- Read the eligibility carefully: level of study, state of origin, age, school type, academic requirements.
- Confirm dates on the official page. Do not trust reposted deadlines.
- Check the application route. Real schemes publish how to apply. If the route is a personal WhatsApp number or an unofficial form, be suspicious.
- Look for red flags (see below).
- Ask your school. Principals and counsellors often know about local opportunities and can write references.
Red flags and scams
- A fee to apply or to "secure" a slot. Legitimate schemes do not usually require applicants to pay agents for placement.
- A personal account for payment with no official receipt.
- Guaranteed selection. No genuine scheme guarantees that you will win.
- Pressure. "Pay today or lose your place."
- Requests for sensitive details such as passwords, OTPs, ATM PINs or BVN in an online "application".
- Unofficial sites that copy a company's logo and look but use a different web address.
If in doubt, stop and ask a teacher, parent or the provider through its official channels. Also see how to avoid exam malpractice for related scams around exams and "special arrangements".
Preparing a strong application
Even without a specific scheme in view, you can prepare the things most applications ask for.
Academic record
Good grades help, but so does a steady record. Keep your report cards and certificates safe. How to study effectively will help you improve term by term. Start with a clear plan and consider free practice on the WAEC practice page. ExamPadi has 46,182 practice questions across JAMB, WAEC, NECO and NABTEB, free to start.
Documents
Collect and keep copies of:
- Birth certificate or age declaration.
- Recent passport photographs.
- Report cards and certificates.
- State of origin or local government identification, if required.
- A letter or document showing need, if the scheme asks for it.
References
Ask a teacher or school leader who knows you well. Give them time, the scheme's details and a short summary of your achievements.
Essay or personal statement
Many schemes ask you to explain who you are and what you want to do. Tips:
- Answer the question you are asked.
- Be specific. Describe real things you did, such as leading a class club or improving a subject.
- Be honest. Do not exaggerate or copy another essay.
- Ask a teacher to read your draft.
- Check spelling and grammar.
Activities and character
Participation in school clubs, community service or leadership roles shows qualities beyond grades. Pick activities you care about and stick with them.
Plan ahead for tertiary scholarships
Because many large awards target university and polytechnic students, start preparing now:
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| SS1 and SS2 | Keep strong grades, join activities, save documents |
| SS3 | Prepare for WAEC or NECO and JAMB; learn which tertiary schemes exist from official pages |
| After admission | Check each scheme's eligibility and calendar; apply on time |
Read how to choose a course in university and university vs polytechnic, because scholarship eligibility sometimes depends on the type of institution or course.
Other ways to reduce costs
If scholarships are not available to you, there are other steps:
- Ask your school about fee plans, discounts or bursaries.
- Use free learning tools to cut the cost of lessons. ExamPadi, for example, is free to start, with a Pro tier. Look at the WAEC practice page or free WAEC past questions.
- Share textbooks and notes with classmates.
- Look for community support through religious or civic organisations. Ask leaders how they select beneficiaries.
- Save for exam fees early and use only official payment channels.
A simple tracking sheet
Keep a table so that you never miss a date.
| Scheme | Official link | Eligibility met? | Documents needed | Deadline (from official page) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Update it every month.
What parents can do
- Help your child collect documents early.
- Check each offer on the official website.
- Never pay agents for a scholarship.
- Encourage steady study over last-minute panic.
- Talk to the school about references and local opportunities.
Next step
Open the official pages for the Shell Nigeria education programmes and the Federal Ministry of Education's scholarships, read the eligibility, and note anything you cannot yet meet. Then create your tracking sheet, gather your documents, and put a weekly study routine in place. Start with a subject on the WAEC practice page today.
Practise with real past questions and worked answers
Build the grades that scholarships look forFrequently asked questions
Are there scholarships for secondary school students in Nigeria?
Yes, but they are fewer than tertiary scholarships and are run by different organisations, including companies, foundations, states and schools. Eligibility, amounts and deadlines change, so check each provider's official page.
Do I have to pay to apply for a scholarship?
Legitimate scholarship schemes do not usually ask applicants to pay agents for a place. Be suspicious of anyone who asks for fees, a transfer to a personal account or login details. Verify on the provider's official website.
Can I apply for the Federal Government scholarships while in secondary school?
The Federal Scholarship Board's published awards are aimed mainly at tertiary students. Read the Federal Ministry of Education's official pages to see current categories and eligibility.
What do scholarship committees look for?
Requirements vary, but common elements include academic records, an application form, references, and sometimes proof of need or an essay. Read each scheme's criteria and prepare documents early.