List of State Government Bursaries Currently Open in Nigeria
List of State Government Bursaries Currently Open in Nigeria
If you assumed only the federal government gives out money for school, you have been missing out on some of the easiest financial support to access in the country.
State government bursaries are one of the most underused opportunities available to Nigerian students. They are less competitive than national scholarships because only indigenes and residents of that specific state can apply. The amounts may look smaller on paper, but they add up fast, and many of them are renewable every session until you graduate.
This guide walks you through which states are currently running bursary programs, how those programs typically work, and exactly how to position yourself so you do not miss your state's window when it opens.
What Is a State Government Bursary?
A state government bursary is financial support paid by a state government to help its own indigenes or residents cope with the cost of tertiary education. Unlike a scholarship, which is usually tied strictly to academic excellence, a bursary is often awarded on compassionate or need based grounds, although some states combine both a scholarship and a bursary arm under the same board.
Most state bursary schemes are managed by a dedicated Scholarship Board or Bursary Board under the state Ministry of Education, and payments are typically made directly into the student's personal bank account once verification is complete.
Who Is Offering These Bursaries?
Nearly every state in Nigeria runs some version of a scholarship or bursary program, though the scale, frequency, and amount vary widely from state to state.
The Lagos State Scholarship Board, established in 1968, is one of the oldest and most structured in the country, running both a compassionate bursary arm and a merit based scholarship arm for indigenes and residents.
The Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board runs the Students Special Assistance Scheme, a bursary program open to Delta State indigenes in universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.
The Ondo State Scholarship Board runs an annual Bursary, Scholarship Award, and Financial Assistance program for indigenes studying in recognized tertiary institutions.
Akwa Ibom State recently increased its student bursary award from ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 per beneficiary, with the state government approving a fresh ₦1.3 billion allocation for the payment of bursaries to eligible students.
The Adamawa State Scholarship Trust Fund runs targeted schemes, including a Special Female Scholarship aimed at supporting female students from the state.
Other states, including Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Osun, and Rivers, also run bursary or scholarship schemes through their respective ministries of education or state scholarship boards, though several of these still rely on paper based or in person submission rather than fully digital portals.
Beyond state level programs, many local government areas run their own smaller bursary schemes, such as the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiatives Limited scholarship and bursary awards for indigenes and residents of Ikorodu Division in Lagos State.
READ MORE: Latest Scholarships and Bursaries Available for Nigerian Students This Month (July 2026)
Why You Should Apply for a State Bursary
You should apply because these programs are built specifically for people like you. A national scholarship might attract tens of thousands of applicants from across the country, but a state bursary only competes among indigenes of that one state, which dramatically improves your odds.
You should apply because many state bursaries do not require a first class result. Programs built on compassionate grounds are designed for students facing genuine financial hardship, not just the top of the class.
You should apply because the money often arrives faster and with fewer bureaucratic layers than some national schemes, since it moves through a single state board rather than a nationwide verification chain.
Finally, applying costs you nothing but time. Legitimate state bursary boards do not charge application fees, so there is no financial risk in putting your name forward.
Who Is Eligible for State Bursaries?
Eligibility generally depends on the same core factors across most states, though exact requirements differ.
You must usually be a verified indigene of the state, which typically means providing a letter of identification from your local government area or a recognized traditional ruler. Some states also allow residents, meaning people who live in the state without being indigenes, though residents are often required to submit additional proof, such as a state residents' registration card.
You must be enrolled full time in a recognized tertiary institution, whether that institution is located inside or outside your home state.
You are typically expected to be in at least your second year of study, since many boards want to see a verifiable academic record before awarding funds, although this rule varies.
Some states set a minimum CGPA or O'Level requirement for their scholarship arm specifically, while the bursary arm is generally more flexible and focused on financial need.
What Documents Do You Need?
Before any state portal opens, prepare the following so you can move quickly.
You will need your admission letter and current school identification card.
You will need your O'Level result, whether WAEC or NECO, and in some cases your JAMB result slip if you are a fresh admission.
You will need proof of indigeneship, which is usually a letter from your local government area or a recognized Oba, Emir, or other traditional authority, confirming that you or your family are indigenes of that state.
If you are applying as a resident rather than an indigene, you will need proof of residency, such as a state residents' registration card.
You will need a valid bank account in your own name, since most boards now pay bursaries directly rather than through cheques or physical collection.
Some states also request a letter of recommendation, a sworn affidavit for compassionate cases, or evidence of your family's financial circumstances, so check your specific state's checklist before you begin.
When Do State Bursary Windows Open?
There is no single national date, because every state runs its own calendar. That said, a general pattern has emerged over recent years.
Many state boards open their portals early in the year, between January and March, once the state budget for education has been approved. The Lagos State Scholarship Board, for example, opened its 2025/2026 portal on January 19, 2026.
Other states open later in the academic session, between April and June, once institutions have confirmed their new intake. Delta State's bursary registration for the 2025/2026 session ran from May 11 to June 10, 2026, before being extended by an extra week due to demand.
A smaller number of states and local government bodies run bursary announcements later in the year, sometimes as late as the third quarter, especially when the funding approval itself comes later, as seen with Akwa Ibom's recent bursary increase, which was approved and announced in July 2026.
Because timing varies so widely, the smartest approach is to bookmark your specific state's scholarship or bursary board page and check it at least once a month, rather than assuming a fixed annual date.
Where Can You Apply?
Where you apply depends entirely on your state, since each board manages its own system.
Lagos State indigenes and residents apply through the Lagos State Scholarship Board's official portal.
Delta State indigenes apply through the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board's official portal.
Ondo State indigenes apply through the Ondo State Scholarship Board.
Other states typically direct applicants either to an official state government website, a dedicated scholarship board portal, or in some cases, a physical submission point at the state Ministry of Education, especially in states that have not yet fully digitized their process.
If you cannot immediately find your state's portal, search for "[Your State] Scholarship Board" or "[Your State] Ministry of Education bursary" directly, and always confirm you are on an official government domain before entering your personal details.
READ MORE: One Million Nigerian Students Scholarship Programme: How to Apply
How Are Successful Applicants Selected?
Selection generally happens in two stages.
The first stage is verification. The board checks that you are genuinely an indigene or resident, that you hold a valid admission, and that your documents are consistent and complete.
The second stage is ranking or screening. For scholarship arms, this usually leans on your CGPA, O'Level results, or in some cases a computer based test covering English, Mathematics, and general knowledge, as used by the Lagos State Scholarship Board for its merit based category. For bursary arms based on compassionate grounds, screening leans more heavily on evidence of financial need, such as a sworn affidavit or supporting letters describing your family's situation.
Successful applicants are usually notified by email or SMS, and many boards also publish shortlists directly on their official website.
How Are Successful Applicants Paid?
Once approved, most state boards now pay bursaries directly into the beneficiary's personal bank account, rather than through cheques or physical collection at a government office. This is part of why having an active, correctly registered bank account in your own name matters so much at application stage.
The amount varies significantly by state and by category. Some bursaries pay a flat one time amount per session, such as Akwa Ibom's recently increased ₦50,000 award, while scholarship categories under the same board often pay considerably more and may cover tuition directly.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
Do not assume your state does not run a bursary scheme simply because you have not heard about it. Many state programs are poorly publicized outside their own state media, so search specifically for your state's scholarship board rather than relying only on national scholarship blogs.
Do not submit a proof of indigeneship letter that does not match your other documents. If your local government area is listed differently across your birth certificate, admission letter, and indigeneship letter, resolve that mismatch before applying.
Do not ignore the difference between the indigene category and the resident category if your state offers both. Applying under the wrong category can lead to automatic disqualification.
Do not pay any agent, portal, or intermediary who claims they can guarantee your bursary approval for a fee. Legitimate state boards do not charge students to apply or to be considered.
Do not miss the window while waiting for a "reminder." Many state bursary portals stay open for only a few weeks, and once closed, most boards do not reopen until the next academic session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a state bursary and a federal scholarship at the same time? In most cases, yes. State bursaries and federal opportunities like NELFUND or PTDF are managed separately, so you can generally apply to both unless a specific program states otherwise.
Do I have to be studying inside my home state to qualify? No. Most state bursary schemes support indigenes studying at any recognized tertiary institution in Nigeria, not only institutions located within the state itself.
What if my state does not have a fully online application system? Some states still use paper based or in person submissions through the Ministry of Education or a local government office. Contact your state Ministry of Education directly to confirm the current process.
Is there an age limit for state bursaries? This depends on the specific state and category. Many bursary categories have no strict age limit, while some scholarship categories tied to academic excellence may set one. Always check your specific state's guidelines.
Can final year students still apply? Yes, in most states, as long as you are still enrolled and meet the eligibility requirements for that session.
Final Advice for Applicants
Identify your state's scholarship or bursary board today, even if no window is currently open, and save the page. Boards often announce openings with only a week or two of public notice.
Get your proof of indigeneship or residency sorted out well in advance. This single document causes more delays than almost anything else in the state bursary process.
Apply the moment a window opens rather than waiting to see how many other people apply first. Many state bursary schemes work on a rolling review basis, and early applicants are processed with less backlog.
Official Application Link
Lagos State Scholarship Board: https://lagosscholarship.org
Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board: https://dsbsb.dl.gov.ng
For all other states, search "[Your State] Scholarship Board" or visit your state Ministry of Education's official website for the current application status.
Conclusion
Do not assume state bursaries are too small to matter or too hard to reach. For many students, a state bursary is the difference between paying school fees on time and missing an entire semester.
Find your state's board today, get your documents ready, and apply the moment the window opens. Share this guide with a classmate from your state who may not know this support exists.
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