The NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship: How Freshers Can Secure N300,000 Yearly Funding

If you are truly serious about securing this grant, you are exactly where you need to be. Most people miss out not because they’re unqualified; they miss out because of small, avoidable mistakes. Tiny things. The kind you only notice after it’s too late. Stay with this till the end, and you’ll understand not just what to do, but how to do it right. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be walking into this application with clarity, confidence, and a real edge and you will be selected and win your grant with ease.

The NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship: How Freshers Can Secure N300,000 Yearly Funding

For a first-year student in a Nigerian university, the “sapa” (financial hardship) is real. Between soaring textbook prices and the cost of feeding, the dream of a degree can feel like a heavy burden. Enter the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (UGSS).

Unlike most scholarships that wait until you are halfway through your degree, the NLNG award is designed specifically for 100-level students (freshers). It offers N300,000 annually, and the best part? It is renewable. If you win this in your first year, NLNG could potentially fuel your entire academic journey until the day you toss your cap at graduation.

As a grant researcher, I’ve seen many students lose this opportunity simply because they didn’t realize it was strictly a “First Year Only” door. If you miss it now, you can’t apply in 200-level. This is your one and only shot.

Why the NLNG Scholarship is the “Gold Standard”

Most corporate scholarships in Nigeria offer between N150,000 and N200,000. NLNG sits at the top with N300,000.

• National Reach: It is open to students in all federal and state-owned universities across Nigeria.

• No Course Discrimination: Whether you are studying Medicine, Law, Theatre Arts, or Engineering, you are eligible.

• Sustainability: Once you are on the list, you stay on the list as long as you maintain a good CGPA (usually 3.5 and above).

Eligibility: The “Strict Seven”

NLNG is famously meticulous. If you don’t fit these seven criteria perfectly, your application won’t even make it to the “Review” stage:

1. Level: You must be a full-time 100-level student in the 2025/2026 academic session.

2. Institution: You must be enrolled in a Federal or State University (Private university students are currently not eligible).

3. JAMB Score: You must have scored a minimum of 200 in your UTME.

4. O-Level Prowess: You must have at least five (5) credits, including English and Mathematics, in one sitting (WAEC, NECO, or SSCE).

5. Age: You must be between 18 and 25 years old at the time of application.

6. Exclusivity: You must not be a beneficiary of any other scholarship or grant.

7. Non-Relation: You cannot be a child or spouse of an NLNG staff member 

The NLNG 2026 Freshers’ Checklist

Gathering documents as a fresher can be chaotic because you’re still trying to figure out where the Registrar’s office is. Use this checklist to stay organized.

Identity Documents:

• Birth Certificate: Must be issued by the National Population Commission (NPC). A “Declaration of Age” is often a backup, but NPC is preferred.

• LGA Identification Letter: Signed and stamped by your Local Government Chairman or Secretary.

• NIN Slip: Ensure the name on your JAMB matches your National Identity Number exactly.

Academic Documents:

• JAMB Admission Letter: (The official one from the JAMB portal).

• University Admission Letter: Issued by your institution.

• JAMB UTME Result Slip: Showing your score of 200+.

• O-Level Result: WAEC/NECO/SSCE certificate or statement of result (Single sitting only).

The Digital Assets:

• Passport Photo: White background, no glasses, taken within the last 3 months.

• Professional Email: This is where your invitation for the Online Proctored Selection Test will be sent. Do not use an email you don’t check daily.

The Secret to Winning: The Proctored Test

If you are shortlisted, you will face an Online Proctored Selection Test. This is where most students fail. Because it is “proctored,” the system uses your webcam to watch you.

• The “Zero Tolerance” Rule: If you look away from the screen too often, or if the AI detects another person in the room, you are automatically disqualified.

• The Content: The test usually focuses on Critical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability (Math), and Abstract Reasoning.

• The Prep: Start practicing GMAT-style questions or SHL past questions now. Speed and accuracy are the only things that matter in this test.

Common Pitfalls for 2026

1. Wrong Document Naming: When uploading, don’t name your file “IMG_001.jpg.” Name it “JAMB_Admission_Letter_YourName.” It makes the reviewer’s job easier and shows professionalism.

2. Multiple Sittings: If you have one credit in WAEC and the rest in NECO, do not apply. NLNG strictly requires one sitting.

3. Internet Connection: Since the test is online and proctored, a “fluctuating” connection can end your session mid-way. Invest in a stable 4G/5G data sub for the test day.

Conclusion

Securing the NLNG scholarship is like getting a N1.2 Million to N1.5 Million gift (depending on your course duration) spread over your university years. It takes the pressure off your parents and allows you to focus 100% on your books.

The portal typically opens toward the end of the year or very early in the first quarter. For 2026, keep your eyes on the NLNG Scholarship Portal. You only get one chance to be a “100-level student.” Don’t let a missing document or a missed deadline be the reason you spend your final years in school struggling for fees.