NDDC Local Postgraduate Scholarship 2026/2027: Full Guide for Nigerian Students
The NDDC Local Postgraduate Scholarship 2026/2027 closes on 8 November 2026, so Niger Delta graduates have about ten days left to apply.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is funding master’s degree study at recognised Nigerian universities for indigenes of the oil-producing region. Applying costs nothing, and the whole process runs online.
This guide explains who qualifies, what to prepare, how selection works and how to avoid the scams that appear around every NDDC call. It covers the local programme only. The NDDC’s foreign postgraduate scheme is separate, and its 2026 window closed on 19 April 2026.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | NDDC Local Post-Graduate (Master’s Degree) Scholarship |
| Session | 2026/2027 |
| Deadline | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
| Who can apply | Indigenes of the Niger Delta region, aged 40 or younger |
| Study location | Recognised universities in Nigeria |
| Application fee | None |
| Where to apply | Official NDDC website, www.nddc.gov.ng |
| Help desk | scholarship@nddc.gov.ng |
The nine NDDC states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.
Who is eligible
You qualify if you meet every point below:
- You are an indigene of a Niger Delta state and can get a Local Government Identification Letter.
- You are 40 years old or younger.
- You hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with at least a Second Class Lower Division, and you have completed NYSC.
- Alternatively, you hold an HND with at least an Upper Credit, plus a relevant postgraduate diploma where the programme requires one.
- You have admission to a master’s programme at a recognised Nigerian university.
Admission matters. The NDDC asks for your admission letter, so a candidate without one cannot complete the application. Meeting the criteria also does not guarantee an award, because the NDDC states that submitting an application is not an offer of scholarship.
Courses and benefits
The 2026/2027 call targets priority fields. Listings published so far include Information Technology, Law, Management and Social Sciences, Medical Sciences, Education, and Biotechnology/Biomedical Science. Check the official announcement for the full list before you pick a programme.
The NDDC describes the scheme as financial support for an approved master’s programme. Its call does not state an amount, and one third-party site lists a figure of N600,000 that I could not confirm from an NDDC source. Treat any amount as unverified until the NDDC publishes it.
The local scheme does not send you abroad. Foreign study falls under a separate NDDC programme with different rules.
Documents to prepare
Scan each item clearly and keep file sizes small before you start:
- Recent passport photograph
- Local Government Identification Letter
- Master’s admission letter from a recognised Nigerian university
- Relevant academic certificates (degree, or HND plus PGD)
- NYSC discharge or exemption certificate
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- WASSCE or NECO results
- National Identification Number (NIN) slip
The last two appear in the screening criteria rather than the core upload list, so have them ready in case the portal asks.
How to apply, step by step
- Secure your master’s admission first, since the letter is mandatory.
- Get your Local Government Identification Letter from your local government secretariat.
- Gather and scan the documents in the checklist above.
- Open the NDDC website at www.nddc.gov.ng and find the 2026/2027 Local Postgraduate Scholarship announcement.
- Create your profile, fill in each section carefully and upload your documents.
- Review everything, submit before 8 November 2026 and save your confirmation.
Do not wait for the last day. Past NDDC cycles saw the portal slow down sharply in the final 48 hours.
How selection works
- Online application. You submit through the NDDC portal.
- Preliminary screening. Officials check WASSCE/NECO results, your undergraduate and any postgraduate qualifications, your Local Government Identification and your NIN slip.
- Computer-based test (CBT). Shortlisted candidates sit a test at designated centres. Several reports cite a 70% cut-off, but passing it does not guarantee an award.
- Final selection. Only candidates who meet the approved criteria are considered.
Candidates from oil-producing host communities and local government areas get preference, provided they meet the cut-off mark and other requirements.
Tips, scam warning and FAQs
Tips to improve your chances
- Apply early and double-check names so they match across every document.
- Practise computer-based tests, since the CBT is the main filter.
- Choose a programme in one of the listed priority fields.
- Keep your login details safe so you can track your status later.
Scam warning. The NDDC says the process is free. Never pay anyone for forms, the CBT, selection or an award, and rely only on official NDDC channels.
Is the deadline really 8 November? Most reports agree on 8 November 2026. One outlet gave 5 November, so confirm on the official portal.
Can I apply if I study abroad? No. This call covers study in Nigeria only.
Does applying guarantee funding? No. Selection depends on screening, the CBT and the approved criteria.
Who do I contact? Email scholarship@nddc.gov.ng.
