NDDC Postgraduate Scholarship 2026/2027: Requirements, Approved Courses and How to Apply Before 8 November

The Niger Delta Development Commission runs two postgraduate scholarship schemes: a foreign scholarship for study abroad and a local scheme for master’s degrees at Nigerian universities. This guide is about the local scheme, which NDDC opened for the 2026/2027 academic session in October. NDDC’s website confirms the programme and the 8 November deadline.

The most important thing to know before you start: you must already have a master’s admission letter. This is not a scholarship you can win first and use to find a school later.

Key Facts

Who Is Eligible?

According to NDDC’s call for applications, you must:

1. Be an indigene of the Niger Delta region. The NDDC covers nine states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. You will need a letter from your local government to prove it.
2. Be 40 years old or younger.
3. Hold a relevant bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Lower Division from a recognised university, or an HND with at least an Upper Credit plus a relevant Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) where applicable.
4. Have a valid admission letter for a master’s degree programme at a recognised Nigerian university.
5. Have your NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate.
6. Meet any other requirement the Commission sets.

The 12 Approved Disciplines

Your master’s programme must be in one of these areas, and your first degree must be relevant to it.

Documents to Upload

• A recent passport photograph
• Local Government identification letter
• Master’s degree admission letter from a recognised Nigerian conventional university
• Your academic certificate(s): degree, or HND and PGD
• NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate
• Birth certificate or a valid statutory declaration of age
• Any other document the Commission asks for

Scan each document clearly before you start. A blurred LGA letter or admission letter is one of the easiest ways to be screened out.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Go to scholarship.nddc.gov.ng (or click “Apply Now” on nddc.gov.ng) and create an account with your email address.
2. Complete the application form carefully. Your details must match your certificates and LGA letter.
3. Upload all the documents listed above.
4. Choose your preferred test zone if the form asks for one.
5. Submit. The portal generates a unique registration number.
6. Print and keep your acknowledgement slip. Log in later to check your application status.

What Happens After You Apply

The call describes a multi-stage selection: preliminary screening of qualifications and documents, a computer-based test for shortlisted candidates at centres in Akwa Ibom, Edo and Rivers states, an oral interview for those who meet the CBT cut-off, and final verification of admission, certificates and indigene status. Candidates from oil-producing host communities and LGAs are to be given priority, provided they meet the approved cut-off.

Avoid Scholarship Scams

NDDC says the application is free of charge. Nobody can sell you a form, “fast-track” your application or guarantee a place for money. Apply only on scholarship.nddc.gov.ng, and be wary of WhatsApp messages and social media pages offering help for a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the NDDC scholarship 2026 deadline?

8 November 2026 for the Local Post-Graduate (Master’s Degree) Scholarship.

Can I apply without an admission letter?

No. A valid admission letter for a master’s programme at a recognised Nigerian university is required.

Can HND holders apply?

Yes, with at least an Upper Credit plus a relevant Postgraduate Diploma where applicable.

Which states qualify for the NDDC scholarship?

The nine NDDC states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

Is this the NDDC foreign scholarship?

No. This call is for master’s degrees at Nigerian universities. The foreign postgraduate scholarship is a separate programme with its own call.

Sources

1. Niger Delta Development Commission – official website (2026/2027 Local Post-Graduate Scholarship notice and deadline) and scholarship portal – nddc.gov.ng, scholarship.nddc.gov.ng
2. Niger Delta Development Commission – 2026/2027 Local Post-Graduate Scholarship: Call for Applications, published on NDDC’s official channels, October 2026

Last updated: 21 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Education Desk. NaijaSabi is not affiliated with the NDDC.