The Jim Ovia Foundation scholarship programme for Nigerian undergraduate students is a prestigious scholarship that provides a ₦250,000 annual financial award towards tuition and living expenses until graduation. The application period lasts just a week, so prospective applicants should prepare key documents and verify eligibility criteria in advance.
Application Deadline & Key Dates:
- Cycle Status: Opening Soon / Active for the 2026 Scholarship Cycle.
- Submission Rule: Strict single-submission policy (multiple entries result in automatic disqualification).
Tell Me About The Program:
The Jim Ovia Foundation Scholarship provides financial support to exceptional undergraduate students studying in accredited public universities across Nigeria. Funded by the Jim Ovia Foundation, the program aims to ease financial burdens and empower young Nigerians to achieve academic and professional excellence through a one-time scholarship award of ₦250,000.
Which Fields are Eligible:
- All Courses and Programs of Study (There are no restrictions on your major or degree course).
Type:
Undergraduate Financial Aid Scholarship Grant (Nigerian Universities)
Who can Apply:
- Nationality & Student Status: Must be a Nigerian citizen admitted into an accredited State or Federal University in Nigeria.
- Age Requirement: Must be at least 16 years old at the time of application.
- Educational Background: Must have completed Senior Secondary School and secured admission into a Nigerian university.
- O’Level Requirement: Must have a minimum of five (5) credit passes in O’Level examinations (WAEC, GCE, or NECO).
- Banking Requirement: Must possess a personal, active Zenith Bank account registered in the exact name of the applicant.
- Strict Integrity Rules: Applicants must apply independently (no agents permitted; no payment required). Email addresses used must contain your first and last name (Gmail or Yahoo accounts only).
How Applicants Are Selected:
Applications are screened based on strict compliance with documentation guidelines, verification of academic records (CGPA, O’Level results, JAMB/University admission letters), and eligibility criteria. Falsified or altered documents result in immediate disqualification.
Which Countries Are Eligible:
Nigeria (Open exclusively to Nigerian students studying in Nigerian universities).
Where will the Program be Taken:
Accredited Federal and State Universities in Nigeria.
How Many Fellows / Grantees:
Annual cohort of undergraduate beneficiaries across Nigerian public universities.
What is the Benefit of the Program:
- Cash Grant: A direct financial scholarship award of ₦250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) disbursed as a single payment into the recipient’s Zenith Bank account.
Required Application Documents:
- Birth Certificate: Names must match all other submitted documents (include a sworn affidavit if there is a discrepancy).
- Government-Issued ID: International Passport, National ID Card, or NIN Slip.
- Passport Photograph: Clear, recent passport photo.
- Zenith Bank Account Details: Personal, active account in the applicant’s exact legal name.
- JAMB Admission Letter: Official JAMB admission document.
- University Admission Letter: Official institutional admission letter.
- University Admission Acceptance Letter: Copy of the accepted offer submitted to the university.
- UTME Result Slip.
- Current Academic Calendar: Published, signed, and stamped by the institution.
- Academic Results / Transcripts: Signed and stamped results showing all courses taken, individual grades, semester GPAs, and cumulative CGPA:
- 100 Level Students: Resubmit your JAMB result.
- 200 Level & Above: Combine all results from 100 level up to the semester preceding your current level.
- Medical Students (MBBS above 100 Level): Must convert PASS/FAIL grades to a computed CGPA with a formal conversion methodology signed by school authorities.
- HOD’s Recommendation Letter: Original, signed, and stamped letter from your Head of Department detailing your full name, matriculation number, level, session, semester, and current CGPA.
- School Identity Card.
- O’Level Certificate: Scanned copy of original WAEC, GCE, or NECO certificate.
How to Apply:
- Review all eligibility rules and gather every required document in a clear, legible digital format (scanned PDF/JPEG).
- Ensure you have created a personal Zenith Bank account and prepared a compliant email address (containing your first and last names).
- Access the official application portal via the Jim Ovia Foundation Scholarship Portal.
- Select “APPLY NOW – NEW APPLICANTS” (or returning applicants link if applicable).
- Complete the form accurately without using an agent, upload all verified supporting documents into their designated fields, review your entries, and submit only once.
