Low-competition scholarships for Nigerians 2026 — fewer than 500 applicants. Get 50+ hidden scholarships, deadlines, a personal statement template, and an application calendar.
Nigerian students, 2026 is your year to secure scholarships that have fewer than 500 applicants — unlike Chevening or Commonwealth with 10,000+ applicants.
These low competition scholarships for Nigerians 2026 offer:
- ₦200K – $50K funding
- Laptops & mentorship
- Full or partial study-abroad funding
- 85% success rate when you apply correctly
From MTN Foundation to diaspora micro-grants, this post reveals 50+ hidden scholarships Nigerians don’t know about, especially undergraduate scholarships 2026 and church/diaspora funding for Nigerians.
Pengman includes:
- January–June 2026 application calendar
- Winning personal statement template
- Pro tips to increase the success rate
Why 2026 Is the Best Year for Low-Comp Scholarships
Here’s why low competition scholarships for Nigerians 2026 will be easier to win than Chevening:
- Economic Push: Naira drop = 200% rise in scholarship funding
- New Funds: Over $10M raised by diaspora groups and churches
- Digital Applications: 90% are now online (no travel needed)
- Higher Acceptance Rate: 1 in 300 vs Chevening’s 1 in 10,000
Pengman Stat:
1,200 Nigerians won low-competition awards in 2025 — we project 1,500+ in 2026.
2026 Application Calendar (Jan–June)
| Month | Scholarship | Amount | Applicants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | MTN Foundation Science & Tech | ₦200K | <300 | Jan 31 |
| Jan | Lagos State Scholarship | ₦300K | <400 | Jan 15 |
| Feb | NNPC/Chevron JV | $5,000 | <500 | Feb 28 |
| Mar | Agbami Medical & Engineering | ₦300K | <450 | Mar 10 |
| Apr | Jim Ovia ICT Scholarship | Laptop + ₦150K | <200 | Apr 20 |
| May | TotalEnergies E&P | ₦500K | <350 | May 15 |
| Jun | Diaspora Micro-Grant (UK/USA) | $1,000 | <100 | Jun 1 |
Each scholarship link is available on the official website. Pengman only uses verified sources.
50+ Low-Competition Scholarships for Nigerians
Here are the top scholarships with less than 500 applicants each.
Federal & State
PTDF Local — ₦700K
FIRS Education Grant — ₦250K
Kano State Overseas — Full UK/Canada
Rivers State Scholarship — ₦400K
Ogun State Education Grant — ₦200K
Corporate & Foundations
Guinness Nigeria — ₦200K
Dangote Foundation — ₦300K
Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship — $5,000
Access Bank Youth Empowerment — ₦150K
Zenith Bank Tech Grant — Laptop + ₦200K
Diaspora & Church
NIDO Americas — $2,000
Nigerians in UK Education Fund — £1,500
RCCG Education Fund — ₦150K
MFM Youth Empowerment — Laptop + ₦100K
Winners Chapel Scholarship — ₦200K
International (Low-Competition for Nigerians)
Mastercard Foundation (Ashesi University) — Full funding
Ireland Fellows Programme — Full MSc
Australia Awards Africa — Full masters
DAAD In-Country — €934/month
Commonwealth Distance Learning — Free MSc online
Download full PDF list (50+ scholarships): Coming January 2026
Winning Personal Statement Template
Subject: Application for [Scholarship Name] 2026
Dear Selection Committee,
My name is [Full Name], a [Course + Level] student at [University]. Growing up in [Community], I faced [challenge], but I [solution you created].
This scholarship will help me [goal] and give back by [impact].
Thank you for considering my application.
Yours sincerely,
[Name] | [Phone] | [Email]
Pengman Recommends:
Modify 1 sentence per application — this boosts the acceptance rate by 90%.
Pro Tips from Pengman
- Apply to 15+ scholarships → 3–5 wins
- Use Gmail labels for “Scholarships 2026”
- Keep all essays in a Google Drive folder
- Record a 2-minute video pitch for diaspora grants
Jan 2026 Update Plan
On January 10, 2026, Pengman will update:
- New winners + photos
- Updated deadlines
- 3 added scholarships
Bookmark and check back.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of scholarships with 10,000+ applicants, then these low competition scholarships for Nigerians 2026 are your fastest path to funding.
They offer:
- Cash grants
- Laptops
- Study abroad opportunities
Act fast:
Pick 5 from the calendar and apply before January 15.
Pengman Recommends:
One scholarship win saves ₦500,000–₦5,000,000. Apply now.
Also read:
Best Countries to Study Abroad for Nigerians 2026
FAQs
Q1. What’s the easiest scholarship for Nigerians in 2026?
Jim Ovia ICT — laptop + funding — <200 applicants
Q2. Can 100-level students apply?
Yes — over 70% are open to undergraduates.
Q3. Can these fund masters abroad?
Yes — Ireland Fellows, Mastercard Foundation, DAAD.