Pursuing a career in nursing or allied health is more than choosing a profession—it’s answering a call to care, heal, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Every day, nurses and healthcare professionals stand at the forefront of patient care, bringing compassion, expertise, and hope to communities across Nigeria and beyond.
Most people begin searching for educational funding immediately after their Post UTME screening.
Yet, despite their passion and dedication, many aspiring healthcare students face one major challenge: the rising cost of education. Tuition fees, clinical training expenses, textbooks, and other academic costs can place a significant financial burden on students and their families.
The good news is that numerous scholarship opportunities exist to support talented and hardworking nursing and allied health students in achieving their dreams. These scholarships not only provide financial relief but also open doors to academic excellence, professional development, and life-changing opportunities.
In this article, we’ve carefully compiled the Top 20 Scholarships Available for Nurses and Allied Health Students in Nigeria. Whether you’re a prospective student, currently enrolled in a nursing program, or pursuing a degree in an allied health field, this guide will help you discover funding opportunities that can bring you one step closer to your healthcare career goals.
This version is warm, professional, and engaging while naturally leading readers into the scholarship list.
The options below are categorized by funding type. They explicitly cover undergraduate nursing (B.N.Sc.), general nursing/midwifery diplomas, and allied health fields like Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), Radiography, and Public Health:
Specialized Healthcare and Institutional Scholarships
- FAJIM Medicare Foundation Scholarship: Specifically established for undergraduate students in Nigerian public universities studying medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health sciences.
- Beyond Education Nursing Scholarship (HUST & Sterling Bank): A fully-funded partnership program covering 100% tuition-free nursing degrees at Hillside University of Science & Technology.
- Light and Bells Health Foundation Scholarship: Provides targeted financial awards ($100 per recipient) via three specific streams: the JSI Scholarship for Nursing and the Vision Scholarship for Allied Health programs.
- Equitable Medicaid & Clinical Research Laptop Scholarship: Disburses laptops specifically to female nursing students in Nigerian institutions to support clinical research and assignments.
- Future Nursing Scholarship (NCO Healthcare Consulting): Designed for registered nursing/midwifery students and practicing staff to build leadership capacity in Nigeria.
- NANNNA Nurse Educator Scholarship: Funded by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America and Health Carousel, providing up to ₦500,000 for advanced diplomas in nursing education.
- David Umahi University of Medical Sciences (KDUMS) Scholarship: An institutional undergraduate award covering substantial annual fees for Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiography students.
Government and Public Sector Schemes
- Federal Government Scholarship Scheme (FGSS): Managed by the Federal Ministry of Education Portal, offering full tuition and a monthly allowance to university health sciences students based on exceptional JAMB performance.
- Federal Government National Health Fellows Program: A leadership fellowship for recent healthcare graduates (nursing/allied health) aiming to work directly within the coordination structures of the Ministry of Health.
- Lagos State Scholarship Board Award: Annual financial bursaries and scholarships designated for state indigenes pursuing nursing and health technology diplomas.
- Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Scholarship: Covers undergraduate and postgraduate training (including nursing and allied medical fields) for candidates from impacted oil-producing communities.
- NDDC Local Undergraduate/Postgraduate Scholarship: Sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, funding tuition for onshore students pursuing medical lab sciences, radiography, and nursing.
Corporate & Non-Profit Foundation Awards
- Dangote Scholarship Fund: A nationwide foundation program prioritising community development fields, heavily targeting high-performing healthcare students.
- Access Bank Foundation Healthcare Support: Delivers grants between ₦150,000 and ₦800,000 targeting nursing scholars with high leadership and community service potential.
- Zenith Bank Educational Foundation: Offers annual financial assistance to high-need undergraduate students studying medical and allied healthcare courses.
- Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) Scholars Program: Targets penultimate-year students at partner universities (such as UI, UNILAG, UNN), providing career development, training, and internship placement in corporate healthcare systems.
- GlaxoSmithKline CSR Nursing Scholars Grant: Corporate sponsorship worth ₦500,000 annually aimed directly at top performers in registered nursing tracks.
- Roche Oncology Nursing Specialization Fund: Targeted grants designed exclusively for students or professional nurses pursuing higher training or certification tracks in oncology.
- Aiyeku Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship: Financial aid program specifically for Ondo State indigenes enrolled in health sciences and nursing university programs.
- Bet9ja Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship: A social corporate responsibility fund providing full tuition coverage to university undergraduates, explicitly including those in medical and nursing fields.
Requirements by Academic Level
- JAMB / 100 Level Applicants: You will need a standard JAMB UTME score (typically 200+ for nursing), a minimum of 5 credits in your O’Level (WAEC/NECO) including English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and an official Admission Letter from your institution.
- Undergraduate (200 Level to 500 Level): Most corporate and foundation scholarships (like FAJIM, FAAN, or corporate banks) require you to maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale (or Second Class Upper equivalent). You must provide your official, stamped CGPA transcript from your university’s Head of Department (HOD) or exams officer.
- Diploma / Nursing Schools: For students in schools of nursing or midwifery, you will need your official index number, council registration documents, and a letter of good standing from your Principal.
- State of Origin/Local Government (LGA) Benefits
State Indigene Bursaries: Schemes like the Lagos State Scholarship Board, NDDC, or the Aiyeku Foundation require an official Certificate of Local Government Origin or an Indigene Letter signed by your traditional ruler or LGA chairman.
Zonal Allocations: Federal and regional scholarships use geographic quotas. Ensure your state identity documents match your institutional records perfectly to avoid disqualification.
- Essential Application Document Checklist
To apply successfully to any of the 20 listed scholarships, you should scan and have the following documents ready in PDF format:
- Primary Identity: Valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip, birth certificate, or valid passport.
- Academic Proof: O’Level certificates (maximum of two sittings), JAMB result slip, and your current semester results/transcript.
- Institutional Verification: School fees receipt for the current session, student ID card, and an official Letter of Attestation from your HOD or Dean.
- Support Documents: A well-written Statement of Purpose (Essay) explaining your financial need and your passion for improving healthcare in Nigeria. Some medical scholarships also require a reference letter from a practicing medical professional or community leader.
I believe this article would help you to accomplish your academic journey.
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