NAE Postgraduate Scholarship 2026/2027 in Nigeria — Fully Funded
The NAE Postgraduate Scholarship 2026/2027 is open to Nigerian graduates pursuing a one-year master’s degree, either locally or abroad, in disciplines tied directly to the oil and gas industry. The scholarship is fully funded — covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, book allowance, and a return flight for overseas applicants — and is offered by Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited on behalf of the NNPC/NAE Production Sharing Contract. The deadline to apply is 7 May 2026, with a Computer-Based Test scheduled for 30 May 2026 for shortlisted candidates only.
This scholarship is narrower than many general postgraduate awards, and that narrowness is the most important thing to understand before applying. NAE is not funding postgraduate study broadly — eligible disciplines are limited to Geosciences, Engineering (covering petroleum, mechanical, civil, electrical, marine, chemical, environmental, and renewable streams, among others), Petroleum Economics, and Oil and Gas or Petroleum Law. If your intended master’s programme falls outside these areas, you are not eligible, regardless of your academic record or NYSC status.
You must already hold an admission offer for a one-year master’s programme before you apply — NAE funds the cost of postgraduate study you have already secured, not the application process itself. There are two distinct categories: Overseas, for study at a recognised international university, and Local, for study at a recognised Nigerian university. You may apply to both categories simultaneously, but submitting more than one application within the same category results in disqualification.
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NAE Postgraduate Scholarship in Nigeria Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | NAE Postgraduate |
| Host Country ⇒ | Nigeria / Overseas |
| Study Level ⇒ | Masters |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — Tuition, Accommodation, Living Expenses, Book Allowance, Field Trip Support, Return Flight (overseas category) |
| Funded By ⇒ | Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, on behalf of the NNPC/NAE Production Sharing Contract |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Nigeria |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 7 May 2026 |
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About the NAE Postgraduate Scholarship
Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited operates the NAE Postgraduate Scholarship as part of a broader commitment under the NNPC/NAE Production Sharing Contract to build skilled manpower for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Unlike scholarships funded by a foundation or government body for general educational access, this award is industry-specific — NAE is funding the next generation of professionals it expects to work within geosciences, engineering, petroleum economics, and energy law, fields directly relevant to its own operations and the wider sector.
This industry alignment shapes every part of the scholarship’s design, from the restricted list of eligible disciplines to the requirement that candidates pass a Computer-Based Test before being considered. The scholarship funds one-year master’s programmes specifically, rather than longer two-year degrees, reflecting a focus on accelerated, targeted postgraduate training rather than extended academic study.
The scholarship has run across multiple cycles and remains one of the more substantial fully funded postgraduate awards available to Nigerian graduates working toward careers in oil, gas, and energy. Selection is competitive, conducted through NAE’s official SCHOLASTICA application platform, with shortlisting followed by an aptitude test as the deciding stage of the process.
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What the NAE Postgraduate Scholarship Covers
The NAE Postgraduate Scholarship covers the full duration of your one-year master’s programme:
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation support
- Living expenses
- Book allowance
- Field trip support, where relevant to your programme
- Return economy flight ticket, provided for applicants in the overseas category only
This is a comprehensive award that covers both the academic and living costs of your programme for its full one-year duration. The local category does not include flight support, since it applies to study within Nigeria.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the NAE Postgraduate Scholarship 2026/2027, you must meet all of the following:
- You must be a Nigerian graduate
- You must hold a minimum of a Second Class Upper (2:1) degree
- You must have already secured admission for a one-year master’s programme, either locally or overseas
- You must not be above 28 years of age by 31 December 2026
- You must have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme
- You must hold a valid international passport if applying in the overseas category
- Your chosen course must fall within the approved disciplines: Geosciences; Engineering (including Petroleum, Mechanical, Civil, Subsea, Electrical/Electronics, Marine, Chemical, Offshore, Environmental, or Renewable); Petroleum Economics; or Oil and Gas/Petroleum Law
You are not eligible if:
- You are currently employed by NAE or an affiliated company
- You are a dependent of NAE staff
- You are a past or current beneficiary of a similar scholarship
The age limit and the 2:1 minimum are both firm cutoffs with no stated exceptions. If you are uncertain whether your degree classification or NYSC completion date meets the requirement, confirm with NAE directly before submitting your application, rather than after.
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Required Documents
Prepare the following documents before starting your application:
- Passport photograph — recent, with a white background
- Admission letter for your postgraduate programme
- First-degree certificate
- NYSC discharge certificate
- Valid identification — National ID, voter’s card, or driver’s licence
- International passport, required for overseas category applicants
- Birth certificate
- NAE Compliance Declaration Form
All documents must be scanned clearly and uploaded in the correct format specified on the SCHOLASTICA portal. Blurred scans, incorrect file formats, or missing pages are common and avoidable reasons applications are flagged as incomplete — check each document before uploading.
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How to Apply
- Visit the official scholarship portal on SCHOLASTICA — this is the only accepted application platform
- Click “Register Now” to create your account
- Verify your email address
- Log in and complete your profile, including your personal, undergraduate, and postgraduate details
- Upload all required documents
- Review your application carefully before submission — once the deadline passes, no further edits or additions are possible
- Submit before the deadline of 7 May 2026
You may apply to both the local and overseas categories if you have admission offers for both, but submitting more than one application within the same category leads to disqualification. Email applications are not accepted under any circumstances — only submissions through the SCHOLASTICA portal will be considered.
After submission, you will receive an automated email acknowledging receipt. If you are shortlisted for the Computer-Based Test, you will be contacted by email or SMS. If you are not shortlisted, you will be notified at the end of the scholarship campaign rather than immediately.
The Computer-Based Test
Shortlisted candidates are required to take a Computer-Based Test, scheduled for 30 May 2026, conducted online. Only candidates who pass the initial application review will be invited, and invitations are sent by email or SMS — check both regularly in the weeks following the application deadline. The test forms a key part of the selection process, so candidates who clear the document and eligibility review should treat the period between application submission and the test date as active preparation time, not a waiting period.
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Application Deadline
7 May 2026
No specific time is published for the deadline. Submit your application well before this date to allow time to resolve any document upload issues on the SCHOLASTICA platform, since incomplete applications are disqualified and cannot be corrected once the deadline has passed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NAE Postgraduate Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition, accommodation, living expenses, a book allowance, field trip support, and a return flight ticket for overseas category applicants. It funds the complete duration of a one-year master’s programme.
Can I apply for both the local and overseas categories?
Yes. Applicants can apply for both categories. However, submitting more than one application within the same category will result in disqualification.
Do I need an admission offer before applying for this scholarship?
Yes. You must have already secured admission for a one-year master’s programme, either at a recognised Nigerian university (local category) or an international university (overseas category), before applying.
What courses are eligible for the NAE Postgraduate Scholarship?
Eligible disciplines are limited to Geosciences, Engineering (including Petroleum, Mechanical, Civil, Subsea, Electrical/Electronics, Marine, Chemical, Offshore, Environmental, and Renewable streams), Petroleum Economics, and Oil and Gas or Petroleum Law. Courses outside these fields are not eligible.
What is the minimum degree classification required?
A minimum of Second Class Upper (2:1) is required. There is no stated exception for lower classifications.
Can I correct an error in my application after submitting it?
Yes, but only before the application deadline. Log into your SCHOLASTICA profile, go to “My Account,” then “My Messages,” and send a message to the scholarship administrator describing the correction needed. Once the deadline has passed, no further changes or additions can be made, and incomplete applications will be cancelled.
How will I know if I am shortlisted for the Computer-Based Test?
Shortlisted candidates are contacted by email or SMS. The test is conducted online on 30 May 2026. Candidates who are not shortlisted are notified at the end of the scholarship campaign rather than immediately after the application deadline.
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Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official NAE Postgraduate Scholarship listing on the SCHOLASTICA platform as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly from the official source before submitting your application.
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