PAP scholarship 2026/2027 application guide

Reviewed by Miles Obi

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) scholarship is a government-backed award that covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly allowance and books for eligible students from the Niger Delta. It is run by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta (OSAPND), which administers the Presidential Amnesty Programme. This guide explains who can apply for the 2026/2027 PAP scholarship, what it covers, how selection works, what documents to prepare and where to apply. Every fact below comes from the official OSAPND scholarship page. Anything the page does not state is marked “check the official site”.

What the PAP scholarship is

The scholarship supports human capital development and the reintegration of ex-agitators and qualified individuals from impacted communities in the Niger Delta. It gives access to quality tertiary education. Undergraduate beneficiaries must complete a one-year service in the Niger Delta after they graduate, so the award is tied to the region’s development as well as to your studies.

Is the application free?

Yes. The official page says the application process is free. Never pay anyone who claims they can help you apply, speed up your file or guarantee a place. If someone asks for money, stop and report them.

Who can apply

The scholarship is open only to eligible beneficiaries from nine Niger Delta states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. Applicants must be a registered beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme as an ex-agitator, or an eligible individual from an impacted community. You must also meet the admission requirements for your programme and be willing to comply with all scholarship terms.

Undergraduate applicants

• You must have sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), or have secured admission as a new entrant into a 100-Level programme for the 2026/2027 academic session.
• You must have a valid 2026 UTME result.
• You must meet the minimum requirements set by the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
• You must have complete O’Level results. Candidates still waiting for WAEC or NECO results are not eligible to apply.

Master’s and PhD applicants

• You must be newly admitted into a Master’s or PhD programme for the 2026/2027 academic session.
• You must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution.
• Where applicable, you must present a valid NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate.

The official page adds a note for previous PAP undergraduate beneficiaries who want sponsorship for a Master’s degree. They must have graduated with a First Class or Second Class Upper Division degree. Approval of Master’s sponsorship depends on available funds and the discretion of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Who is not eligible

Some applicants will not qualify. Check these before you spend time on the form:

• You live outside the nine listed Niger Delta states and cannot show that you belong to an impacted community in one of them.
• You are an undergraduate applicant whose WAEC or NECO result is still pending, or whose O’Level results are incomplete.
• You are a Master’s or PhD applicant without a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution.
• You are a previous PAP undergraduate who graduated below a First Class or Second Class Upper Division, and you are asking for Master’s sponsorship.
• You plan to study at a foreign institution. The official page says the scholarship applies only to approved institutions within Nigeria.

If any of these applies to you, you are not eligible for this cycle. Do not submit a form hoping reviewers will overlook it, because false declarations may lead to disqualification.

What the scholarship covers

According to the official page, the scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• A monthly In-Training Allowance (ITA)
• A book allowance

The official page does not publish the naira amounts for the ITA or the book allowance, and it does not state the tuition or accommodation amounts. For all current figures, check the official site.

How selection works

Shortlisted applicants may be required to take part in a written aptitude test and an oral interview. The official page says selection is based on merit and on compliance with all programme requirements. Being eligible does not guarantee an award.

How to prepare for the aptitude test and interview

1. Revise the core subjects from your O’Level and UTME syllabi, especially English and mathematics.
2. Practise reading comprehension and logical reasoning under timed conditions.
3. Know your own application details well: your programme, your state, your LGA and your UTME year.
4. Be honest in the interview. If you do not know an answer, say so calmly rather than guessing.

The page does not publish the test syllabus, pass mark, venue or interview dates. Check the official site for those details.

What the one-year Niger Delta service means

The official page says undergraduate beneficiaries must complete a mandatory one-year service in the Niger Delta after they graduate. The scholarship is not only a grant for your study. It asks you to give one year of service back to the region. Before you accept, think about where you would live and work for that year, and whether your plans allow it. The page does not describe the placement process or the terms of the service, so check the official site before you assume anything about them.

Conditions you must keep after you are awarded

• Maintain the minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) set by the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the whole scholarship.
• Observe good conduct and follow all the rules and guidelines of the programme.
• Complete the one-year Niger Delta service if you are an undergraduate beneficiary.

The page warns that failing to meet these conditions may lead to withdrawal of the scholarship.

Documents checklist

Scan each document clearly before you start the form, so the upload does not stall at the last step. Keep the originals safe.

Undergraduate applicants

1. Completed application form
2. O’Level result(s)
3. 2026 UTME result
4. Local Government Area (LGA) identification letter
5. Birth certificate or age declaration
6. Letter of admission, where available

Master’s applicants

In addition to the documents above, upload:

1. Degree certificate or statement of result
2. NYSC discharge or exemption certificate

The portal may ask for more than this list. Check the official site for the current requirements.

How to apply

The official page directs you to the PAP Scholarship Application Portal. Use the APPLY button on the official scholarship page to reach it. Then:

1. Visit the PAP Scholarship Application Portal from the official page.
2. Create an applicant account.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Upload all required documents.
5. Review your application and submit it online.

Here is the official scholarship page, which is where the APPLY button sits:

Verify everything on the official PAP scholarship page: https://osapnd.gov.ng/scholarship/

Deadline

The official page does not state a closing date for the 2026/2027 application. The deadline reads “check the official site”. The window can open and close without much notice, so check the OSAPND scholarship page regularly.

Common scam tactics to avoid

Scammers prey on people excited by a free scholarship. Watch for these tactics:

• Anyone asking for a “processing fee”, “registration fee” or “bribe” to secure a slot.
• Agents who promise a guaranteed award or ask for your portal password.
• Links sent by text or social media that do not match the official OSAPND page.
• Requests to send your documents by email or WhatsApp instead of through the official portal.
• Fake “result release” or “award letter” messages that ask you to click a link and pay.

The application is free. If you are unsure, go to the OSAPND scholarship page directly, do not follow a link someone sent you, and never share your login details with anyone.

Frequently asked questions

Does the scholarship cover all degree levels?

The official page says scholarships are available for undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral degree programmes, subject to programme guidelines and funding availability.

Can I apply if my WAEC or NECO result is still pending?

No. The official page says candidates awaiting WAEC or NECO results are not eligible to apply.

Does the scholarship cover study abroad?

The official page says the scholarship applies only to approved institutions within Nigeria.

For the official rules, deadlines and any updates, read the OSAPND scholarship page directly. This guide is for information only.

Official PAP scholarship page

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