NLNG Postgraduate Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Scholarship for Nigerians
The NLNG Postgraduate Scholarship 2027 funds Nigerian graduates through a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom, with tuition, accommodation, living expenses, flights, and medical insurance all covered. It is run by Nigeria LNG Limited under its Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme (PGSS), and it is one of the most generous awards available to Nigerians anywhere. It is also one of the smallest and hardest to get, and the eligibility rules have a few surprises that most websites skip over. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the NLNG Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
Two things to understand before you set your heart on it. First, the scheme typically funds only around ten scholars per cycle, so the competition is severe. Second, who can apply changes with each edition: the standard PGSS has been open to graduates of Nigerian public universities nationwide, but the most recent cycle was a Special Edition restricted to indigenes of NLNG’s host communities in Rivers State. Read the current advert carefully before you prepare anything, because the edition determines whether you are eligible at all.
NLNG also runs an Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme for students at Nigerian universities and a Post-Primary Scholarship Scheme in Rivers State. This guide covers the postgraduate scheme, the one that funds study abroad. All three are listed on the NLNG scholarships portal.
Related Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians
- PTDF Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarship
- Chevening Scholarship
- Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students
NLNG Postgraduate Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s
- Institution(s): Recognized universities in the United Kingdom
- Study Destination: United Kingdom
- Courses Offered: Oil, gas, and energy-related programs set out in each advert, such as petroleum, subsea, petrochemical, and chemical engineering, and MSc Renewable Energy and Climate Studies
- Program Period: One academic year (UK master’s), September entry
- Awards per cycle: Around 10
NLNG Scholarship Deadline
NLNG announces each PGSS cycle in its own advert, and the deadline changes with each edition. The most recent cycle closed in early December for the following September’s entry. Check the NLNG scholarships portal for the current advert and closing date, and treat any date you see on a blog as unconfirmed until you see it there.
NLNG Scholarship Coverage
The NLNG Postgraduate Scholarship is fully funded. Selected scholars receive:
- Full tuition fees, paid to the UK university
- Accommodation and living expenses for the academic year
- Return flight between Nigeria and the United Kingdom
- Medical insurance for the study period
Two conditions come with the money. Scholars are not allowed to take up employment during the program, and every scholar commits to returning to Nigeria after completing the degree. Course-related internships are the one exception NLNG encourages.
Eligibility Criteria for the NLNG Scholarship
To qualify for this scholarship, the candidate must fulfill the following requirements:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: Nigeria (Nigerian citizens resident in Nigeria)
- A first degree with a minimum of Second Class Upper (2:1) from a Nigerian public university, in a field relevant to the advertised programs
- A completed NYSC (discharge certificate)
- Not more than 30 years of age at the time of application
- A provisional admission letter from a recognized UK university for one of the advertised programs. You apply to the university first and to NLNG second, so start your UK application months ahead.
- An English test score of IELTS 8.0, TOEFL 102, or PTE 73–79. This deserves a plain warning: IELTS 8.0 is one of the highest English requirements of any scholarship in the world, well above what UK universities themselves ask for. Book your test early and prepare for it seriously, because this single line eliminates most applicants.
- A domiciliary account in GBP and USD with GTBank or First Bank, which NLNG uses for disbursement if you are selected
- Not currently holding any other scholarship, bursary, or grant
- Not a spouse, child, ward, or direct relation of NLNG staff
- Able to obtain a UK student visa if successful
For Special Edition cycles, applicants must also be indigenes of NLNG’s host communities, confirmed with an indigene letter. NLNG welcomes applications from Persons Living with Disabilities.
How to Apply for the NLNG Scholarship?
Please follow the instructions below to apply for the NLNG Postgraduate Scholarship:
- Wait for the official advert on the NLNG scholarships portal and confirm which edition is running and whether you are eligible for it.
- Secure provisional admission to one of the advertised master’s programs at a UK university before applying. Without the admission letter, your application cannot proceed.
- Sit your English test early enough to have the result in hand: IELTS 8.0, TOEFL 102, or PTE 73–79.
- Create an account on the application portal named in the advert using your own personal email address. Recent cycles ran through the Scholastica platform, and NLNG disqualifies applications made through someone else’s account.
- Fill in the form and upload your documents. Name each file according to what it contains so nothing gets mixed up.
- Submit before the deadline and keep the confirmation email.
- Shortlisted candidates go through NLNG’s selection process, and successful scholars are notified before the September intake.
Documents Required for the NLNG Scholarship
- Passport photograph on a white background, not more than three months old (450px by 450px, under 200KB)
- First degree certificate
- NYSC discharge certificate
- Provisional admission letter from a UK university
- IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE result
- Local Government Area letter of identification
- Host community indigene confirmation letter (Special Edition cycles)
- Employer consent letter, where applicable
Your name must appear in the same order on every document, because mismatched names are a standard reason for disqualification. Our guides on writing a statement of purpose and preparing an academic CV will help with the UK admission you need before the scholarship application itself.
Website
To learn more about the NLNG Postgraduate Scholarship, please visit the official website:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NLNG scholarship open to all Nigerians?
It depends on the edition. The standard PGSS has been open to graduates of Nigerian public universities nationwide, while the most recent Special Edition was restricted to indigenes of NLNG’s host communities in Rivers State. The current advert states who can apply, so check it before preparing anything.
Why is the IELTS requirement 8.0? That seems very high.
It is very high, and it is deliberate: NLNG sets the bar above what UK universities require, and it filters out most of the applicant pool. If your IELTS is below 8.0, retaking the test is part of the application plan, not an optional extra.
Do I need UK admission before applying?
Yes. A provisional admission letter from a recognized UK university for one of the advertised programs is a required document. Apply to universities months before the NLNG advert opens so the letter is ready.
How many people get the NLNG scholarship?
Historically, around ten scholars per cycle, which makes it one of the most competitive awards available to Nigerians. Treat it as one application in a wider plan rather than your only hope, and pair it with the Commonwealth and Chevening scholarships, which fund the same UK master’s route.
Can I work in the UK during the scholarship?
No. Scholars are required to focus on their studies and are not permitted to take employment, though course-related internships are encouraged where appropriate.
Why does NLNG ask for a GTBank or First Bank domiciliary account?
Disbursements to selected scholars are made through a GBP and USD domiciliary account with one of those two banks. You do not need it to submit the application in every cycle, but you will need it if selected, and opening one takes time, so it is worth arranging once you are shortlisted.
