State Government Scholarships in Nigeria with High Acceptance Rate (2025 Update)
Nigerian educational fees are increasing year in year out and it’s a big burden to most families. This is even worse for students in government universities, polytechnics and institutions of higher learning and education where tuition, accommodation fee, text books and others keep rising.
Though the federal government provides scholarships and grants to solve this burden, many students are still struggling. Another thing most people don’t know is that state governments in Nigeria also offer scholarships and bursaries to their indigenes.
The acceptance rate in these programs funded by the state is very high because these programs are specifically designed for local students. Unfortunately many students will be left out because either they are not aware of these opportunities or they don’t know how to go through it.
In this guide we shall consider state scholarships which are not only real and active scholarships but also easy to apply and more likely to admit the students as opposed to the federal or international based scholarships.
Why State Government Scholarships are Important
Most students are targeting federal or foreign scholarships to reduce the load of school fees burden. Although these avenues may be quite rewarding, they are also quite competitive. Tens of thousands of students around the country (and in other cases outside the country) struggle to get these few positions. This makes it extremely difficult to win such scholarships regardless of how smart or needy you are.
Meanwhile most of the states in the Republic of Nigeria introduce their own scholarship plans almost secretly whenever a year passes. Most of these programs do not receive a lot of publicity and thus few individuals are aware of such programs or even bother to apply.
Due to this fact the amount of applicants is normally not big thus making the rate of acceptance very high. If you are a citizen of the state that provides that scholarship and you meet their general requirements the probability of your selection is quite high. In fact some states offer scholarship just because you are an indigene and studying in an accredited school.
What Is a High Acceptance Rate in Scholarships?
A high acceptance rate of a scholarship is where many applicants get in. Many state government scholarships select hundreds or thousands of students while federal or international scholarships have thousands applying to get few positions.
As long as you can prove you are of the state, enrolled in a registered institution and you don’t fake any of the required documents, then you are good to go. That’s why these are state scholarships which is a very smart and usually overlooked way of reducing your education expenses.
State Government Scholarships in Nigeria with High Acceptance Rate (2025)
Here are the best state government scholarships in Nigeria with easy access and higher chance of getting the scholarship:
1. The Lagos State Scholarship Board
Acceptance Rate: Very High
Eligibility: Lagos indigenes in tertiary institutions
Award Type: Bursary and full scholarship
Application Mode: Online
Lagos State offers bursary (for all Lagos students) and merit scholarships (for students with first class or distinction). When you are a Lagos indigene and can provide a Letter of origin and school ID, you will likely succeed.
2025 Update: The application portal will open between March and May. In 2024, thousands were selected.
2. Rivers State Government Scholarship
Scholarship Competitiveness: High
Eligibility: Rivers State indigenes
Award Type: Local and international (for STEM and health students)
Application Mode: Online and physical screening
In 2024, Rivers State Scholarship Board reintroduced local and overseas scholarships with huge consumption. Proof of state origin of most applicants and admission to school was required for only a few shortlisted students.
Hint: Special considerations (STEM, medicine and marine studies students) are usually given priority.
3. Bayelsa State Scholarship Scheme
Acceptance Rate: Very High
Student accepted: Indigen of Bayelsa (students only)
Type of scholarship awarded: Undergraduate scholarship, masters scholarship, and the PhD scholarship.
Application Mode: Physical submission and interview
Bayelsa used to focus on foreign scholarships, but now they are helping more local students. Over 800 students were sponsored in 2024; many of them were science-related courses and education-related courses.
Focus 2025: Youngsters who want to be an entrepreneur, education or an engineer.
4. Anambra State Scholarship Board
Scholarship Competitiveness: High
Eligibility: Must be from Anambra and in school
Award Type: Undergraduate bursary
Application Mode: School-based registration
The scheme is operated through the local government offices. In most LGAs, students are required to present admission letters and evidence of state origin only.Pro Tip: In most cases, there is no online form to fill and so even rural students can apply.
5. Kano State Government Foreign Scholarship Program
Acceptance Rate: Medium to High (if shortlisted)
Eligibility: First-class and 2:1 graduates from Kano
Award Type: Full foreign scholarship
Application Mode: Physical interview and documentation
Kano gives scholarships to bright students to study abroad, mostly in science and engineering fields. Shortlisting is tough and after selection, most of the candidates are accepted if they have been interviewed.
2025 Update: Additional money given by the governor of 2025 batch.
6. Akwa Ibom State Bursary and Scholarship Scheme
Acceptance Rate: Very High
Eligibility: Akwa Ibom students in higher institutions
Award Type: Yearly bursary, special scholarships for top students
Application Mode: Portal-based application
Over 10,000 students have been funded since 2021. Indigenes get an annual bursary and the best in medicine, law and engineering receive additional aid.
Application Date 2025: Expected to be in July-September 2025.
7. Oyo State Scholarship and Bursary Scheme
Scholarship Competitiveness: High
Student accepted: Oyo State indigenes (tertiary institutions)
Type of scholarship awarded: One-time bursary and annual scholarship
Application Mode: Through Oyo State Scholarship Board
This scheme is for college, poly and university students. Once you are registered with the state scholarship board and you present evidence of origin, your chance of being selected is high.
Note 2025: Government is planning to digitalise the application process.
8. Borno State Education Trust Fund Scholarship
Scholarship Competitiveness: High
Eligibility: Borno students displaced by conflict or in public universities
Award Type: Special education grant
Application Mode: Manual registration through school or NEMA
This scheme is for students affected by insurgency. Most beneficiaries are IDPs expressing interest in further education.
Major Focus: Educational rehabilitation skills and skills acquisition is the focus of 2025.
What You Need to Apply for State Scholarships
- Certificate of State of Origin
- Admission letter from school
- Student ID card
- Passport photograph
- Some may require academic transcript or local government clearance
To improve Your Chances:
Make your application in time- Before the deadline has passed (some schemes shut down in less than 2 weeks)
- Prepare your documents- prepare your school ID, origin certificate and admission letter
- Keep updated, Friend your state scholarship board on social media
- Check LGA office – the local governments share some bursaries
- Join student Unions/groups – In some cases, they are updated in person
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| No online information | Visit Ministry of Education or scholarship board physically |
| Short notice application | Always prepare documents ahead of time |
| Political preference | Stay updated through student unions and school announcements |
| Internet issues | Use a cyber café or seek help from friends |
FAQs about State Government Scholarships in Nigeria
Q1: Only indigenes get state scholarships?
Yes, most state scholarships in Nigeria are for indigenes of that state. The state governments create these programs to accommodate their own people so they can take off the financial burden from the family. In your application you will usually be asked to deposit a certificate of origin issued by your local government. It’s a paper document that confirms you are a citizen of that state. Without it, your application may not even be considered. So if you intend to apply then you should have your certificate of origin.
Q2: What if I want to apply for more than one state scholarship? Will I be eligible?
Yes, you are permitted to apply for more than one scholarship apart from you state. But don’t lie about the state you are in. You don’t present false information that you are indigene of a particular state just to get an opportunity to have their scholarship. Many scholarship boards conduct background checks and if they find out you lied, you might be disqualified permanently from that scholarship and even other scholarships. It’s always safer not to apply where you don’t really qualify.
Q3: Are these full tuition scholarships?
It depends on the state. Some states like Rivers, Kano or Lagos can cover entire tuition or even maintenance allowances. But many state scholarships are partial. They may give you a certain amount each year or contribute to your tuition fees which is usually referred to as bursary. It doesn’t have to be a full scholarship to pay less money that your parents or sponsors have to spend. So don’t overlook them, even a small amount of support is important.
Q4: Can polytechnic students apply?
Yes! University, polytechnic and colleges of education students are eligible to state scholarship programs. So you just have to be a state indigene, attend a recognized school and meet other requirements and you are good to go. Maybe everywhere but always check the particular announcement of your state to be sure, but in most cases polytechnic and COE students are welcomed with open arms.
Q5: How can one get updates?
The smart one can follow their scholarship board or Ministry of Education pages and websites on social media. This is where they usually post first. The offices can also be visited or we can check local newspapers. By being current you won’t miss deadlines as well as other requirements of the application.
Conclusion
The truth is, you don’t have to wait forever to see big federal or foreign scholarships. Nigeria has working, real state government scholarships of high acceptance rates, especially in 2025.
Start in your state. Visit the scholarship board, ask and submit applications as soon as possible. Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Kano and Rivers, each of these has a scholarship for them, all you need to do is reach out to them.
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