For any Ekiti indigene chasing a degree inside a Nigerian tertiary institution, the cost of tuition, textbooks, and accommodation can quickly become overwhelming. That is exactly the gap the Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 steps in to fill. Run by the Ekiti State Scholarship Board under the administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, this scheme channels real financial support directly into the hands of Ekiti students who meet its academic and residency criteria.
This guide walks you through every single thing you need to know — who qualifies, the categories available, the documents required, how to use the application portal, and the deadline that decides whether your file even reaches the screening committee. Grab a notebook, because the information here could unlock serious financial relief for your academic journey.
What Is the Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026?
The Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 is a state-funded financial assistance scheme designed exclusively for Ekiti State indigenes pursuing higher education in approved Nigerian tertiary institutions. Administered by the Ekiti State Scholarship Board (ESSB) headquartered at the New Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the programme combines two separate categories of support — the scholarship award, which rewards academic excellence, and the bursary award, which cushions general educational expenses.
The bursary portion is jointly funded by the State Government and Local Governments on a 50:50 basis, which keeps the scheme sustainable year after year. Reported award values for this cycle reach up to ₦750,000 per beneficiary, making it one of the most generous state-level scholarship schemes currently running in southwest Nigeria.
The scheme covers a wide band of learners — undergraduates, NCE students, polytechnic students, college of health technology students, school of nursing and midwifery students, master’s students, PhD students, and physically challenged students across the country.
Categories Available
The scheme is divided into clear, well-defined categories so students always know where they fit:
- Undergraduate Scholarship Award for university students from 200 level upwards
- Polytechnic / NCE / College of Education Scholarship for ND, NCE, and HND students
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, and College of Health Technology Scholarship
- Master’s Degree Scholarship for postgraduate students at the master’s level
- Ph.D Scholarship for doctoral candidates in recognised universities
- Physically Challenged Scholarship Award for students with disabilities across all tertiary levels, including the Nigerian Law School
- Bursary Award for general financial support across tertiary institutions
Part-time and sandwich course students are not eligible under any category, so read the rules carefully before starting the form.
Benefits of the Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026
The Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 delivers direct, meaningful financial value rather than vague promises. Key benefits include:
- Cash awards that can reach as high as ₦750,000, depending on your category and academic level
- Support that covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and day-to-day academic expenses
- Official recognition from the Ekiti State Government as a beneficiary
- A boost of motivation that often pushes beneficiaries to maintain stronger academic performance
- Zero application fees — forms are completely free to download and submit
- A pathway for physically challenged students that acknowledges their unique circumstances
- Long-term peace of mind for students whose families carry heavy financial responsibilities
For many beneficiaries, the biggest win is the freedom to focus on lectures and assignments without the quiet, constant distraction of unpaid fees hanging over their heads.
Eligibility Criteria for the Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026
Before you open the portal, confirm that you tick every box. The Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 is strict about its eligibility rules, and missing even one requirement will send your application straight to the reject pile:
- You must be a bona fide indigene of Ekiti State with a valid certificate of origin
- You must be a full-time student in a recognised Nigerian tertiary institution
- Undergraduates must be in their 2nd year or above at the point of application
- You must possess WASSCE or NECO results with a minimum of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, at one sitting
- University students need a CGPA of 4.0 and above on a 5.0 scale, or a Second Class Upper Division
- Polytechnic and College of Education students need a CGPA of 3.50 and above on a 4.0 scale
- Master’s applicants must hold at least a Second Class Upper Division at undergraduate level
- PhD applicants must have a Distinction in their master’s degree
- Part-time and sandwich course students are not eligible under any circumstance
- Physically challenged students are eligible across all tertiary levels, including the Nigerian Law School
The CGPA benchmarks are deliberately set high. If your grades currently sit below the cut-off, focus on pulling them up before the next cycle opens.
Required Documents
Prepare these documents well ahead of time. Missing paperwork remains the single fastest way to lose an otherwise solid application:
- A valid means of identification (National ID, driver’s licence, or international passport)
- Your Certificate of Local Government Origin signed by your Local Government Chairman or Secretary
- Original and photocopy of your admission letter
- A certified academic transcript or statement of result signed by the Registrar of your institution
- Your WAEC, NECO, or equivalent O’Level result
- Three years’ tax payment certificate and development levy receipts of your parent or guardian
- Two recent passport photographs
- Your student ID card
- For postgraduate applicants: first-degree certificate and transcript
- For physically challenged applicants: medical evidence of the disability from a recognised hospital
Save everything as clean, legible PDFs. Blurry phone photos of documents frequently get knocked out at the verification stage.
Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 Application Portal
Applications are submitted exclusively online through the official Ekiti State Scholarship Board (ESSB) portal. The Board has fully digitised the process, meaning no in-person submissions, no WhatsApp forms, and no third-party agents. Anyone requesting money to “help” you secure the Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 is running a scam — the application is 100% free from start to finish.
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the Ekiti State Scholarship Board website and locate the scholarship application link
- Register with a valid, active email address you check daily
- Select the scholarship category that matches your academic level and status
- Fill out the online form with accurate personal, academic, and family details
- Upload every required document in the specified format
- Review each entry carefully before clicking submit
- Print or save the confirmation slip as proof of submission
The Board’s physical office is located at the New Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti, for inquiries and walk-in support, but every actual submission must be completed electronically through the portal.
Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 Deadline
The official application window for the Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 ran from Monday, 9th February 2026 to Friday, 27th February 2026. The Board has made it clear that late applications are not accepted under any circumstance, and the February 27 deadline stands as final.
If you missed the deadline for this cycle, the scheme runs annually, so you can start preparing now for the next round:
- Bookmark the Ekiti State Scholarship Board portal and check monthly
- Follow FESSU (Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union) on social media for real-time alerts
- Reach out to your institution’s FESSU Chapter President for updates
- Start gathering your documents early — Certificate of Origin and tax payment receipts often take weeks to process
- Keep your CGPA sharp throughout the academic year so you are always above the benchmark
If you submitted successfully before the deadline closed, continue monitoring your email for screening and interview invitations.
Selection Process
Once submissions close, the ESSB reviews every application in a clear, structured process:
- Stage 1 — Document verification confirms the authenticity of your Certificate of Origin, academic transcript, and supporting papers
- Stage 2 — Eligibility screening checks your CGPA, academic level, and course type against the scheme’s rules
- Stage 3 — Shortlisting identifies candidates who cross every benchmark
- Stage 4 — Final approval and disbursement sees successful candidates published and the award processed through verified bank details
Some cycles include a brief verification interview, especially for postgraduate and physically challenged applicants. Honesty during every stage is non-negotiable — any mismatch between your claims and reality leads to automatic disqualification.
Smart Tips to Stand Out
The scheme is competitive, with thousands of Ekiti indigenes applying each year. These strategies help:
- Secure your Certificate of Local Government Origin early — it is the most commonly missing document
- Keep your CGPA above the benchmark throughout the semester, not just during application week
- Double-check every detail on your form. Small typos silently signal carelessness
- Upload documents in the exact format requested, with clear file names
- Submit at least 72 hours before the deadline in case the portal gets overloaded
- Keep your bank account details accurate and active — disbursement relies on this
- Save your submission confirmation in multiple places (email, phone, cloud)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 only for Ekiti indigenes? Yes. Only students who can verify Ekiti State origin through a valid Certificate of Origin qualify.
2. How much is the award worth? Values vary by category. Reported awards in this cycle reach up to ₦750,000 per beneficiary.
3. Is the application free? Completely free. Anyone asking for money is running a scam.
4. Can 100-level students apply? No. Undergraduates must be in 200 level or above at the time of application.
5. Are part-time students eligible? No. Part-time and sandwich course students do not qualify.
6. What CGPA do I need to qualify? University students need 4.0 and above on a 5.0 scale. Polytechnic and College of Education students need 3.50 and above on a 4.0 scale.
7. Can physically challenged students apply? Yes. There is a dedicated category for physically challenged students across all tertiary levels.
8. Can I apply offline? No. The entire process is online through the ESSB portal.
9. What was the 2026 deadline? February 27, 2026. Late applications are not accepted.
10. When will the next cycle open? The Board typically opens applications early in the year (January–February window). Monitor the portal and FESSU channels for official announcements.
Final Thoughts
The Ekiti State Scholarship and Bursary Award 2026 is one of the clearest, most direct ways the Ekiti State Government invests in the education of its own children. If you submitted your application before the February deadline, keep your email active and monitor the Board’s official channels for screening updates. If you missed it, use the coming months to organise your documents, lift your CGPA, and position yourself strongly for the next cycle.
Bookmark this page, share it with a course mate who might need the information, and drop any remaining question in the comments section below. A single, well-timed application could genuinely reshape the rest of your academic story.