Every year, thousands of Nigerian medical students sit at desks in hostels, under fluorescent lights, studying for clinical exams that eat every hour of every day and quietly worrying about where next semester’s fees will come from. The MTN Foundation Scholarship has always been one of the best lifelines available, but for most of those students, it lived under a STEM umbrella that didn’t quite fit the reality of a six-year medical programme.
That changed with the 2026 edition. Medical students, who were previously included under the STEM scholarship category, have now been separated into their own dedicated category to provide more targeted support for students studying medicine in public universities and teaching hospitals. It’s a small structural change on paper but in practice, it means medical students are finally getting the focused attention their demanding programmes have always deserved.
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything: what actually changed, who qualifies, how to apply step by step, and what to do to actually win one of those coveted slots. Whether you’re a 400-level medical student or a 300-level science and technology student, stay with me — this one’s for you.
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Overview of the MTN Foundation Scholarship
A Programme That Has Stood the Test of Time
Now well over a decade old, the MTN Foundation Scholarship Programme has remained a cornerstone of the Foundation’s education and youth development initiatives, supporting thousands of students nationwide. When it launched in 2010 as the Science and Technology Scholarship (STS), the goal was straightforward: identify high-performing students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions and make sure financial hardship doesn’t cut their education short. Since its inception, the MTN Foundation has disbursed nearly ₦3 billion in scholarships to over 4,200 students.
Those aren’t just numbers. That’s thousands of engineers, scientists, doctors, and tech professionals who might never have graduated without this kind of support. That’s the weight and track record behind every new cycle of this scholarship.
What You Actually Get
Each cycle, successful applicants receive an annual scholarship award of ₦300,000. The funding is structured to support tuition, textbooks, and living expenses, enabling recipients to focus fully on their academic pursuits without financial strain. From the 2026 cycle, 400 beneficiaries are selected in total, 100 of whom are medical students under the new dedicated category.
But the money isn’t the only thing worth talking about. Beyond financial aid, beneficiaries also participate in mentorship programmes, technical training, and employability workshops under the Foundation’s Skill Up initiative, aimed at preparing them for opportunities in a fast-evolving global economy. When you graduate, you’re not just handed a cheque — you’re plugged into a network.
The Three Categories at a Glance
| Category | Full Name | Target Students | Slots Per Cycle | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STS | Science & Technology Scholarship | 300-level STEM students in public universities, polytechnics & colleges of education | 300 | 2010 |
| Medical | Medical Students Scholarship | 400-level medical students in public universities & teaching hospitals | 100 | 2026 |
| SBS | Scholarship for Blind Students | 200 & 300-level visually impaired students in public tertiary institutions | Part of 400 total | 2012 |
Note: The fact that MTN has maintained and expanded this programme for over fifteen consecutive years says something real about institutional commitment. A lot of corporate scholarships start strong and fizzle after a few cycles. This one keeps growing and that matters when you’re deciding whether to invest time in an application.
What Changed for Medical Students? The New Dedicated Category Explained
The Old Structure and Why It Didn’t Work
Before 2026, medical students who wanted to apply for the MTN Foundation Scholarship had to squeeze themselves into the Science and Technology Scholarship (STS) box. That category was built for students in engineering, computer science, and related disciplines. I mean students whose academic structure, calendar, and grade systems are very different from what medicine looks like.
Think about it: a STEM student in a four-year programme at 300 level is roughly at their midpoint. But a medical student at 300 level is still in pre-clinical, hasn’t even started wards, and is operating under a completely different academic grading framework. Lumping them together was convenient but it wasn’t fair.
What the 2026 Edition Changed
Medical students were hitherto placed under the STEM scholarship but have now been separated for focused and adequate support. Here’s what that separation means in practical terms:
| Feature | Before 2026 (Under STS) | From 2026 (Dedicated Medical Category) |
|---|---|---|
| Application level | 300 level (alongside STEM students) | 400 level (or transitioning from 300 level) |
| Minimum grade | 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (Second Class Upper) | Pass grade or equivalent |
| Dedicated slots | None — competed with all STEM students | 100 exclusive slots per cycle |
| Eligible institutions | Public universities & polytechnics | Public universities AND teaching hospitals |
| Support rationale | General science support | Targeted healthcare workforce development |
Why MTN Made This Move
Nigeria’s healthcare system desperately needs more qualified doctors. Training one takes at least six years and that journey is expensive, gruelling, and long. By carving out a dedicated category for medical students, MTN Foundation is essentially saying: we understand that your journey is different, and we want to support it differently too. The relaxed Pass grade requirement especially makes sense here. Medical school grades don’t always translate to the same GPA scale used in other faculties, and demanding a 3.5 CGPA from a system that operates on a 50-pass threshold was always an awkward fit.
As for whether medical students can still apply under STS, based on how the 2026 structure is framed, medical students should apply under the dedicated medical category, not the STS track. Always verify this on the official portal at www.mtn.ng/scholarships before submitting your application.
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Full Eligibility Criteria for All Categories
Who Qualifies?
Before you invest an hour filling out forms, let’s make sure you actually qualify. Here’s the full eligibility criteria, laid out clearly across all three categories.
| Criteria | STS (STEM) | Medical Students | SBS (Blind Students) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible institutions | Public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education | Public universities, teaching hospitals | Public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education |
| Level of study | 300 level (or transitioning from 200 level) | 400 level (or transitioning from 300 level) | 200 level or 300 level (Law: 300 level only) |
| Minimum CGPA | 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (2nd Class Upper); polytechnic: 3.0 (Upper Credit) | Pass grade or equivalent | 2.5 (university/college of education); 2.0 OND (polytechnic) |
| Nationality | Nigerian | Nigerian | Nigerian |
| Enrolment type | Full-time | Full-time | Full-time |
| Institution ownership | Public (not private) | Public (not private) | Public (not private) |
| Course type | Science & Technology related | Medicine and health sciences | Any course |
Direct Entry and Polytechnic Students Are Not Left Out
Direct Entry STEM students must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (upper credit) from their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) programme and must have secured admission into 300 level or 3rd year in a public university. Similarly, STEM students in polytechnics need a minimum CGPA of 3.0 upper credit from their OND and must have secured HND admission. The Foundation accommodates varying academic calendars and entry routes, so these students are not excluded.
What Disqualifies You Automatically
- Being enrolled in a private institution
- Studying part-time
- Submitting CGPA figures that don’t match your official transcript
- Applying in the wrong category (e.g., a medical student applying under STS)
- Incomplete or missing documents
Step-by-Step Application Guide for the MTN Foundation Scholarship
Official Portal and Application Window
All applications are submitted through the official MTN Nigeria scholarships page: www.mtn.ng/scholarships. The programme runs annually, with applications typically opening around May each year. If the current cycle’s portal is closed when you’re reading this, bookmark the page and check back when the next cycle opens, usually around the same time the following year.
Documents You’ll Need Before You Start
- Valid student ID card or matriculation letter
- Most recent academic transcript or result sheet (with your CGPA clearly stated)
- Passport photograph (recent, clear background)
- JAMB admission letter
- For polytechnic students: HND admission letter
- For SBS applicants: documentation confirming visual impairment status
- A government-issued ID (National ID, international passport, or driver’s licence)
How to Apply Step by Step
- Visit the official portal at www.mtn.ng/scholarships and click Create Account.
- Register with your name, email address, and a strong password, then click Submit. Check your email inbox for a confirmation message.
- Log in with your email and password. Copy the 12-digit PIN displayed on your dashboard, then click Apply for Scholarship.
- Enter your 12-digit PIN and click Apply Now to begin filling the form.
- Fill in your personal and academic details such as: full name, date of birth, contact information, institution name, department, level of study, and CGPA. Match every figure to your official result sheet exactly.
- Upload your documents: student ID or matriculation letter, most recent academic transcript, and passport photograph. Make sure files are clear and within any size limits specified on the portal.
- Select the correct category: STS, Medical, or SBS. Do not guess; re-read the eligibility table above first.
- Preview everything carefully before final submission. Once submitted, corrections may not be possible.
- Submit and keep a screenshot or email confirmation as your record.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
MTN Foundation verifies academic records. If your stated CGPA does not match your transcript, your application will be disqualified. Cross-check your figures from your official result sheet, not from memory. Beyond that, watch out for:
- Uploading blurry or low-resolution scans
- Submitting on the very last day, Portal traffic near deadlines can cause crashes
- Using an informal email address that might filter confirmation mails to spam
- Selecting the wrong scholarship category
Selection Process, Tips for Success, and Renewal Conditions
How Winners Are Chosen
The MTN Foundation employs a rigorous selection process: initial screening for eligibility and document authenticity, academic assessment and review of transcripts, an aptitude test consisting of about 60–100 questions in Mathematics, English, and General Paper, an interview process for shortlisted candidates, and a final comprehensive evaluation based on merit.
In short, it’s not just about your CGPA. Your performance in the aptitude test can elevate you above candidates with higher grades, and your interview presence matters in the final round. Successful candidates are announced in newspapers and on the MTN website.
Tips That Actually Help You Win
- Apply as early as the portal opens. Early applicants tend to have calmer, error-free submissions. Last-day rushers get flustered and make avoidable mistakes.
- Prepare for the aptitude test. Review JAMB-style questions in Maths and English. The test is straightforward but still needs preparation. Don’t go in cold.
- Keep your transcript spotless. Maintain your grades consistently across semesters. This isn’t a one-time sprint — it’s a cumulative academic record they’re evaluating.
- Be accurate in your application. MTN Foundation’s verification process will catch inconsistencies. Accuracy over inflation, always.
- Monitor the MTN website for updates. Supplementary instructions, portal changes, and timeline updates will always appear there first.
Renewal Conditions: Keeping the Scholarship Till Graduation
Winning the scholarship is not a one-and-done deal. The ₦300,000 grant is renewable annually until graduation, subject to the maintenance of a minimum CGPA of 3.5 for STS recipients and 2.5 for SBS recipients. Medical students should confirm their specific renewal CGPA on the official portal, given that their minimum entry requirement is a Pass grade.
Once selected, you’ll be formally inducted into the MTN Foundation Scholars community. Tuition support is typically paid directly to your institution, while your stipend is disbursed in installments. You’ll also be expected to participate in Foundation programmes, mentorship initiatives, and community events. Maintaining your academic performance is required. Failure to sustain your CGPA can result in the award being reviewed or withdrawn.
“Financial limitations shouldn’t stifle academic potential.” — Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation
If you’re not selected in a given cycle, don’t write it off as a closed door. Re-evaluate your CGPA, work on any aptitude test areas where you were weak, and position yourself for the next cycle. The programme runs annually, and a number of past beneficiaries had applied in a previous year before eventually winning.
Benefits and Beyond the Scholarship
Financial and Non-Financial Perks
The ₦300,000 annual grant is just the headline number. What it covers such as tuition, textbooks, and maintenance, takes a real weight off your shoulders during academic sessions. But the non-financial benefits are arguably just as valuable over time.
- MTNF Skill Up Training: Upon graduation, each scholar takes part in the MTNF Skill Up Training to ensure they are well equipped to compete and add value to Nigeria’s labour market. Scholars are also encouraged to pursue professional certifications such as PMI (Project Management Institute).
- Alumni Network: As members of the Alumni chat group, scholars are kept informed about job opportunities and career resources directly relevant to their fields.
- Mentorship: The programme connects scholars with professionals and leaders across industries and this is something money can’t buy at 300 level.
What It Means Specifically for Medical Students
For a medical student, the impact of ₦300,000 per year goes beyond the obvious. Clinical years are the most expensive phase of medical training. Textbooks for internal medicine, surgery, and obstetrics alone can cost tens of thousands per semester. Lab fees, clinical materials, licensing exam prep, it all adds up fast. Having consistent funding from 400 level through to finals means one less thing pulling your attention away from the wards.
And the mentorship angle matters here too. Being connected to a network of professionals while you’re still in medical school gives you something most of your peers won’t have: visibility and career direction before you even write your final MBBS.
Complementary Scholarships for Medical and STEM Students in Nigeria
Whether you’re waiting for the next MTN cycle or looking to stack multiple funding sources, here are other well-established opportunities worth pursuing:
| Scholarship | Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Government Scholarship (BEA) | Nigerian undergraduates | Ministry of Education; merit-based; covers multiple disciplines |
| Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) | Students from Niger Delta states | Foreign and local study options; medicine included |
| Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) | STEM and sciences, including health sciences | Local and overseas scholarship streams |
| NNPC/SNEPCo Scholarship | Science and technology students | Competitive; merit-based; reputable industry backing |
| Agbami Medical Scholarship | Medical students specifically | One of the most targeted scholarships for medical training in Nigeria |
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously where you qualify. There’s no shame in securing your education from more than one source.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does the MTN Foundation Scholarship application open each year?
The MTN Foundation Scholarship runs annually, with applications typically opening around May each year. The 2026 cycle had a deadline of May 31, 2026. For future cycles, always check the official page at www.mtn.ng/scholarships for the exact opening and closing dates, as these are updated each year. Bookmark the page so you don’t miss the window when it opens.
2. Is the MTN Scholarship open to medical students, and what are the requirements?
Yes, and from the 2026 cycle onwards, medical students have their own dedicated category. To qualify, you must be a Nigerian student studying medicine in a public university or teaching hospital, enrolled at 400 level (or transitioning from 300 level), on a full-time basis. The minimum academic requirement is a Pass grade or equivalent. And this is significantly more accessible than the 3.5 CGPA previously required under the general STEM category.
3. What CGPA or grade is needed for medical students versus other applicants?
Medical students need a minimum of a Pass grade or equivalent. STEM students in public universities or colleges of education need a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (Second Class Upper). STEM students in polytechnics need a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (Upper Credit) from their OND programme. Blind students need a minimum CGPA of 2.5 in universities and colleges of education, or 2.0 (OND) in polytechnics.
4. How do I apply for the MTN Foundation Scholarship, and what documents are needed?
Apply through the official portal at www.mtn.ng/scholarships. Create an account, log in, enter your 12-digit PIN, and complete the application form. Required documents include: your student ID or matriculation letter, most recent academic transcript (with CGPA clearly stated), a recent passport photograph, your JAMB admission letter, and a government-issued ID. Polytechnic students should also include their HND admission letter. SBS applicants need documentation confirming visual impairment status.
5. What are the benefits and renewal conditions for successful applicants?
Successful applicants receive ₦300,000 annually towards tuition, textbooks, and living expenses. The scholarship is renewable every year until graduation, provided you maintain the required minimum CGPA (3.5 for STS; 2.5 for SBS — medical students should confirm their renewal threshold on the official portal). Beyond the financial support, scholars gain access to the MTNF Skill Up Training, mentorship programmes, employability workshops, professional certifications, and the MTN Foundation Alumni network, which includes job opportunity updates.
6. How does the dedicated medical category differ from the previous STEM inclusion?
Previously, medical students competed directly with STEM students under a single umbrella with the same 3.0–3.5 CGPA threshold and no guaranteed slots. From the 2026 cycle, they have 100 exclusive dedicated slots, a more appropriate entry point at 400 level (reflecting the longer medical programme), and a relaxed academic threshold of just a Pass grade. Teaching hospitals are also explicitly listed as eligible institutions. It’s a meaningful structural improvement, not just a cosmetic rename.
Conclusion
Here’s the honest truth: the MTN Foundation Scholarship is one of the most credible, well-structured, and consistently funded undergraduate scholarship programmes available in Nigeria today. With the new dedicated medical category introduced from 2026, it is now more accessible to aspiring doctors than it has ever been. A relaxed grade requirement, 100 exclusive slots, and support specifically calibrated for long medical programmes — that combination is genuinely rare in the Nigerian scholarship space.
If you’re a 400-level medical student or transitioning from 300 level in a Nigerian public university or teaching hospital, this is your category. Get your documents ready, verify your eligibility one more time, and head straight to www.mtn.ng/scholarships to check if the current application window is open.
And if the current cycle has closed by the time you’re reading this, don’t be discouraged. Use the time between now and the next cycle to shore up your CGPA, sharpen your aptitude test skills, and get every required document in order. Students who prepare ahead are the ones who win when the portal opens again.
- ✅ Confirmed you’re in a Nigerian public institution (not private)
- ✅ Verified your level of study matches the category (300 level for STS, 400 level for Medical, 200/300 for SBS)
- ✅ Cross-checked your CGPA with your official transcript
- ✅ Gathered all required documents before opening the portal
- ✅ Selected the correct scholarship category
- ✅ Reviewed everything before clicking Submit
- ✅ Saved your confirmation screenshot or email
Ready to Apply?
Visit the official MTN Foundation Scholarship portal to check the current application status and submit your application.
Visit the Official Portal →Information in this article is based on the MTN Foundation’s official communications and verified news reports covering the 2026 scholarship cycle. Always confirm current eligibility criteria, deadlines, and application details on the official MTN Nigeria website before applying, as terms may be updated with each new cycle.