Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Scholarship 2026/2027 — Full Tuition, Accommodation & Monthly Allowance for Niger Delta Beneficiaries

If you're a registered beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme — an ex-agitator or eligible individual from an impacted Niger Delta community — the 2026/2027 PAP Scholarship Programme is worth applying for.

The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta (OSAPND), through the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), invites applications from eligible beneficiaries for its 2026/2027 Scholarship Programme. The Scholarship Programme is designed to promote human capital development and support the reintegration of ex-agitators and qualified individuals from impacted communities in the Niger Delta by providing access to quality tertiary education.

Importantly, this scholarship is strictly limited to registered PAP beneficiaries from the nine Niger Delta states — it is not open to the general Nigerian public.

What Is the PAP Scholarship Programme?

As part of the Programme, beneficiaries of the undergraduate scholarship will be required to undertake a one-year post-graduation service to support development initiatives within the Niger Delta region — so this scholarship comes with a service commitment attached, not just funding.

Scholarships are offered at Undergraduate, Master's, and Doctoral levels, subject to Programme guidelines and funding availability, and the scholarship is applicable only to approved institutions within Nigeria (Onshore Programme) — there is no study-abroad component.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The scholarship covers:

- Tuition fees

- Accommodation

- Monthly In-Training Allowance (ITA)

- Book allowance

This is a comprehensive funding package rather than a partial or tuition-only scholarship.

Is This a Grant or a Loan?

This is a scholarship, not a loan — there's no repayment obligation. However, undergraduate beneficiaries must complete one mandatory year of service in the Niger Delta region after graduation, and all beneficiaries must maintain the minimum required CGPA throughout the scholarship duration or risk withdrawal of funding.

Who Can Apply?

All applicants must:

- Be a registered beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) as an ex-agitator or an eligible individual from an impacted community

- Meet all admission requirements for the programme of study

- Be willing to comply with all terms and conditions governing the PAP Scholarship Programme

For Undergraduate Applicants specifically:

- Have sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or have secured admission as a new entrant into a 100-Level programme for the 2026/2027 academic session

- Possess a valid 2026 UTME result

- Meet the minimum UTME score prescribed by the Presidential Amnesty Programme

- Possess complete O'Level results — candidates awaiting WAEC or NECO results are not eligible to apply

For Postgraduate (Master's and PhD) Applicants specifically:

- Be newly admitted into a Master's degree programme for the 2026/2027 academic session

- Possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution

- Where applicable, present a valid NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate

Important note for returning beneficiaries: Applicants who previously benefited from the PAP Undergraduate Scholarship and are seeking sponsorship for a Master's degree must have graduated with a First Class or Second Class Upper Division degree. Approval of Master's sponsorship is subject to the availability of funds and the discretion of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Eligible states: The PAP Scholarship is available only to eligible beneficiaries from the Niger Delta states, namely: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.

Selection Process

Shortlisted applicants may be required to participate in:

- A written aptitude test

- An oral interview

Selection shall be based on merit and compliance with all Programme requirements.

What You Need Before Applying

Undergraduate Applicants must upload:

1. Completed application form

2. O'Level result(s)

3. 2026 UTME result

4. Local Government Area (LGA) Identification Letter

5. Birth Certificate or Age Declaration

6. Letter of Admission (where available)

Postgraduate (Master's) Applicants must also upload:

7. Degree Certificate or Statement of Result

8. NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate

How to Apply for the PAP Scholarship 2026/2027

Step 1 — Confirm Your Beneficiary Status

Confirm you're a registered PAP beneficiary from one of the nine eligible Niger Delta states.

Step 2 — Visit the PAP Scholarship Application Portal

Go to: 👉 https://scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng/Identity/Account/Register

Step 3 — Create an Applicant Account

Register using your details to set up your applicant account.

Step 4 — Complete the Online Application Form

Fill in all required personal, academic, and admission details.

Step 5 — Upload All Required Documents

Attach the documents listed above based on whether you're applying at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Step 6 — Review Your Application

Double-check all entries and uploaded documents for accuracy.

Step 7 — Submit Online

Submit your completed application through the portal.

Step 8 — Await Shortlisting

If shortlisted, be prepared for a written aptitude test and/or oral interview.

Where to Apply

Official Application Portal:

👉 https://scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng/Identity/Account/Register

Programme Information Page:

👉 https://osapnd.gov.ng/scholarship/

Important Scam Warning

The application process is completely FREE. Applicants are advised not to make any payment to any individual or organisation claiming to facilitate the application process.

The official portal itself displays this same warning directly: "No fees, ever. The PAP scholarship never asks for payment at any stage — report anyone who does to the Programme office."

Given how well-known and high-profile this programme is, be especially cautious of unofficial agents on social media or WhatsApp claiming to guarantee selection or fast-track your application for a fee.

Important Notes

- This scholarship is exclusively for registered PAP beneficiaries — it is not open to the general public, even within the nine eligible states.

- Candidates awaiting WAEC or NECO results cannot apply — you must have complete O'Level results at the time of application.

- The portal has noted scheduled maintenance windows for NIN verification infrastructure — if you can't access registration temporarily, this may be planned downtime rather than a fault with your application.

- Approval of Master's sponsorship depends on fund availability and Programme discretion, even for eligible applicants.

Tips for a Strong Application

Confirm Your Beneficiary Status First — Since eligibility is restricted to registered PAP beneficiaries, verify your status before investing time in the full application.

Have Complete O'Level Results Ready — Applications from candidates awaiting results will not be accepted, so don't start the process until your O'Level results are fully out.

Prepare for Aptitude Tests and Interviews — Since shortlisted applicants may face both a written test and an oral interview, prepare across both formats.

Maintain Required CGPA Awareness If Selected — Understand upfront that continued funding depends on maintaining the prescribed minimum CGPA each session.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Applying without confirmed PAP beneficiary registration status.

- Applying while still awaiting WAEC or NECO results.

- Paying any individual or organisation claiming to speed up or guarantee your application — the process is completely free.

- Submitting incomplete document uploads.

- Assuming Master's sponsorship for returning undergraduate beneficiaries is automatic — it requires First Class or Second Class Upper and is subject to fund availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any Nigerian apply for this scholarship?

No. It is restricted to registered PAP beneficiaries who are ex-agitators or eligible individuals from impacted Niger Delta communities.

Which states are covered?

Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.

Does it cover study abroad?

No. The scholarship applies only to approved institutions within Nigeria.

Is there an application fee?

No. The application process is completely free — never pay anyone claiming to facilitate it.

Do undergraduate beneficiaries have any post-graduation obligation?

Yes. Undergraduate beneficiaries must undertake a mandatory one-year service in the Niger Delta upon completion of their studies.

Can returning PAP undergraduate scholars apply for a Master's scholarship?

Yes, but only if they graduated with a First Class or Second Class Upper Division degree, and approval depends on fund availability.

Where do I apply?

👉 https://scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng/Identity/Account/Register

Official Links

Application Portal:

https://scholarship.osapnd.gov.ng/Identity/Account/Register

Programme Information Page:

https://osapnd.gov.ng/scholarship/