NWDC Opens 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Scheme to Empower North-West Youth and Bridge Educational Divide
As part of its mandate to foster inclusive development and uplift underserved communities, the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has officially launched applications for its 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Scheme. This transformative initiative targets talented students from Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone, aiming to create a pipeline of globally trained professionals who can drive regional growth and innovation.
Open to applicants from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, the programme supports undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD studies in key developmental fields including Engineering, Medical Sciences, ICT, and Education—disciplines critical to addressing regional disparities in health, infrastructure, and technology.
Established under the 2024 NWDC Act signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commission’s scholarship programme is more than a funding opportunity—it is a strategic intervention to break cycles of poverty, build human capital, and promote educational justice in historically marginalized areas.
Applicants must meet rigorous academic criteria, including:
- Five O’Level credits (for undergraduates) in core science subjects;
- A Second Class Upper minimum (for Master’s candidates); and
- A 4.00 CGPA or above (for PhD applicants).
The age limit is 35 years for undergraduates and Master’s applicants, and 40 years for PhD candidates.
Applications are to be submitted via the official portal at [nwdc.gov.ng/scholarships], with required documents including a CV, academic transcripts, NYSC certificate, proof of indigene status, international passport, and a motivation letter—highlighting both academic goals and a commitment to regional development.
In a parallel effort, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has also announced its 2025/2026 Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. This fully funded programme supports MSc and PhD studies in priority sectors such as energy and engineering, at leading institutions in the UK, Germany, France, Malaysia, and the PTDF College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna. It covers tuition, travel, insurance, living stipends, and research costs.
Together, the NWDC and PTDF scholarships reflect a growing national recognition that education is not a privilege but a tool of social transformation. By investing in youth from underrepresented regions, the schemes signal a shift toward equity-driven development, where no Nigerian is left behind due to geography or socioeconomic background.
These programmes are not just about sending students abroad—they are about bringing back a new generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and public leaders who can help rebuild their communities with global knowledge and local impact.