Wilson and Yinka Badejo Scholarship (WYBF) 2026 For Nigerians — How to Apply
The Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation (WYBF) Scholarship 2026 supports Nigerian students enrolled in public tertiary institutions through two categories: the Legacy Scholarship, open to students across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and selected theological seminaries; and the Nurturing Hearts Scholarship, a renewable award for young women aged 18–28 pursuing work connected to children’s ministry. Both categories target students who demonstrate financial need alongside strong academic performance and good character.
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Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Overview | Scholarship Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation (WYBF) |
| Host Country ⇒ | Nigeria |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate |
| Benefits ⇒ | Partially Funded — Financial Support Toward Educational Expenses |
| Funded By ⇒ | Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation (WYBF) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Nigeria (Residents Studying at Public Institutions) |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 29 May 2026 |
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About the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation Scholarship
The Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation has supported indigent students in Nigeria since 2008 through its Legacy Scholarship programme. The foundation later introduced the Nurturing Hearts Scholarship to support young women dedicated to children’s ministry and youth development work.
The Legacy Scholarship is a one-time award for students enrolled in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria — universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and selected theological seminaries are all included. The Nurturing Hearts Scholarship targets a narrower group: females aged 18 to 28 pursuing studies, vocational training, or professional development connected to children’s ministry. Unlike the Legacy award, Nurturing Hearts is renewable once, meaning a recipient can receive support across two cycles if they continue to meet the requirements.
Both categories prioritise applicants who can demonstrate genuine financial need — this scholarship is built for students who would otherwise struggle to continue their education, not as a general merit award.
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What the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation Scholarship Covers
The WYBF Scholarship provides:
- Financial support toward educational expenses
- Targeted assistance for students from low-income backgrounds
- Recognition for academic excellence and leadership, where demonstrated
- Reduced financial burden for continuing your tertiary education
- For Nurturing Hearts recipients, a renewable second cycle of support
This is a partial award — no specific amount is published in the scholarship listing. The award is intended to ease financial pressure rather than cover the full cost of your studies. Confirm the current award amount directly with the foundation when applications reopen.
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Eligibility Requirements
General Requirements (Both Categories)
- You must demonstrate financial need.
- You must have strong academic performance and good character.
- You must be enrolled or admitted into an accredited public tertiary institution in Nigeria.
- You must not have received the WYBF scholarship more than twice previously.
Additional Requirements — Legacy Scholarship
- You must be a resident of Nigeria.
- You must be studying at a public tertiary institution in Nigeria.
- You must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 if you are already enrolled and have grades.
- If you are in your first year without a GPA yet, you must submit your JAMB score instead.
- You must provide a recommendation letter if shortlisted.
Additional Requirements — Nurturing Hearts Scholarship
- You must be female, aged 18 to 28.
- You must be passionate about children’s ministry work — this should be reflected in your activities, not just stated.
- You must submit a 500–750 word essay on the impact of children’s ministry.
- You must provide two recommendation letters.
- You must be willing to attend an interview if shortlisted.
The key disqualifier across both categories: if you have already received the WYBF scholarship three or more times, you are not eligible to apply again.
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Required Documents
Prepare the following:
- Completed online application form
- Personal statement demonstrating your financial need
- Academic records or GPA result
- JAMB score — required only for first-year students without a GPA
- Recommendation letter(s) — one for Legacy applicants if shortlisted, two for Nurturing Hearts applicants
- Essay for Nurturing Hearts applicants (500–750 words on children’s ministry impact)
- Proof of age and identity, where applicable
A practical note for Legacy applicants: if you are a first-year student, do not wait until you have a full GPA to apply — your JAMB score serves as your academic evidence at this stage. For Nurturing Hearts applicants, the essay and two recommendation letters are the most time-consuming parts of the application. Start drafting your essay early and approach your referees as soon as possible, since recommendation letters often take longer to secure than expected.
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How to Apply
- Visit the official WYBF scholarship application portal.
- Choose your preferred category — Legacy Scholarship or Nurturing Hearts Scholarship.
- Complete the online application form in full, ensuring you select the correct category before proceeding.
- Upload all required documents for your chosen category — personal statement, academic records or JAMB score, recommendation letters, and (for Nurturing Hearts) your essay.
- Submit your application before the deadline.
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Application Deadline
29 May 2026
If a new cycle of the WYBF Scholarship is announced, the application structure described above is likely to remain similar based on the foundation’s existing format.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the WYBF Scholarship fully funded?
No. The WYBF Scholarship is a partial award that provides financial support toward educational expenses for students from low-income backgrounds. It does not cover full tuition, accommodation, or all living costs. No specific award amount is published — confirm this with the foundation when a new application cycle opens.
Can students at private universities apply for the WYBF Scholarship?
No. Both the Legacy Scholarship and the Nurturing Hearts Scholarship require applicants to be enrolled at a public tertiary institution in Nigeria — including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and selected theological seminaries. Students at private universities are not eligible under this scholarship.
What is the difference between the Legacy Scholarship and the Nurturing Hearts Scholarship?
The Legacy Scholarship is a one-time award open to students at public tertiary institutions in Nigeria with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (or a JAMB score for first-year students). The Nurturing Hearts Scholarship is specifically for females aged 18–28 involved in children’s ministry work, requires an essay and two recommendation letters, and is renewable once.
Can I apply if I have received the WYBF Scholarship before?
Yes, but only if you have not received it more than twice previously. If you have already been awarded the scholarship three times, you are not eligible to apply again.
What GPA do I need for the Legacy Scholarship?
You need a minimum GPA of 3.5 if you are already enrolled with academic results. If you are a first-year student without a GPA yet, you submit your JAMB score instead — there is no separate minimum JAMB score specified in the scholarship listing.
When will the next application cycle open?
No information on a future cycle is available in the source material for this post. Check the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation’s official channels directly, or follow their social media platforms, to be notified when a new round of the WYBF Scholarship opens.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, award values, and eligibility criteria were drawn from materials describing the WYBF Scholarship 2026 cycle, with a stated deadline of 29 May 2026 that has now passed. This information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm current application status and deadlines directly on the official Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation source before relying on any details in this post.
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