Ejiro M Ukiri International Scholarship 2026
Nigerian students who are preparing to pursue higher education in Nigeria can apply for the Ejiro M Ukiri International Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship provides financial assistance toward the first-year cost of university, college, polytechnic or other forms of higher education in Nigeria, with the foundation stating that it intends to cover eligible first-year expenses up to ₦150,000.
Applications for the current scholarship cycle are open from September 1 to September 30.
About the Ejiro M Ukiri International Scholarship Fund
The Ejiro M Ukiri International Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to students living in Nigeria who want to attend a university, college, polytechnic or any other form of higher education.
The organisation is headquartered in the United States and was named after its founder, Ejiroghene Mary Ukiri, who has always had a special place in her heart for students.
The fund’s mission is to inspire graduating Senior Secondary School students to begin their journey toward obtaining a university or college education in Nigeria. It aims to financially support their dreams and aspirations while reducing some of the burden associated with the cost of further education.
Scholarship Benefits
The Ejiro M Ukiri International Scholarship Fund intends to fund the expenses of scholarship winners relating to their first year of university.
The scholarship award covers eligible first-year education expenses up to ₦150,000.
The organisation says its support is intended to give students:
- Greater opportunities for higher-paying jobs and earnings over their lifetime.
- A more level playing field when competing with students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
- An opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s development rather than being forced to leave the country in search of better opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
According to the official scholarship website, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a Nigerian citizen.
- currently attending or intending to pursue a post-secondary school degree in Nigeria
The current application form further emphasizes that the scholarship is strictly for Nigerian students in Nigeria who intend to pursue further education in Nigeria.
Documents Required
The current application form requires applicants to provide several pieces of information and supporting documents.
These include:
Personal Information
Applicants will be asked to provide:
- First name
- Last name
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Phone number
- Parent’s email address
- Parent’s phone number
- Residential address
- City
- State/Province
- Postal/ZIP code
University Information
Applicants must provide:
- Name of their university or college
- Course of study
Proof of Admission
Applicants must upload:
Proof of admission to university.
The application form specifically provides a file-upload section for this document.
Most Recent Report Card
Applicants must also upload:
Their most recent report card.
This is consistent with the eligibility information on the scholarship’s main website.
Scholarship Essay Requirement
The application includes a mandatory essay.
Applicants must submit a completed essay answering the following question:
“What is the biggest challenge you are facing, and how could artificial intelligence help you solve it?”
The essay must contain a minimum of 500 words.
The foundation makes it clear that an application will be considered incomplete without the essay attached.
Important AI Essay Rule
Applicants should pay particular attention to this requirement.
The scholarship application explicitly states:
Do not use AI to write your essay.
The foundation wants applicants to express their own unique voice and opinion. Using AI to write the essay can result in disqualification.
So, while the essay asks applicants to discuss how artificial intelligence could help solve a challenge they face, the essay itself must be written by the applicant.
Optional Essay
The application also includes an optional essay.
Applicants can use this section to tell the scholarship committee more about themselves, including:
- What makes them who they are
- Who they were
- Who they are today
- Who they are trying to become
This essay is optional, unlike the 500-word AI-related essay, which is mandatory.
Application Period
The current application form states that applications are open from:
September 1 – September 30
The form does not state a specific year alongside these dates, but the live scholarship page is currently displaying the application window, so applicants should treat September 30 as the application deadline for the current cycle.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the online scholarship application form.
Step 1: Open the Application Form
Visit the official application page:
Step 2: Complete Your Personal Details
Provide your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, parent’s contact details and address.
Step 3: Provide Your Education Details
Enter your university/college and course of study.
Step 4: Upload Your Documents
Upload:
- Proof of admission to university
- Your most recent report card
- Your mandatory essay
Step 5: Submit the Application
Review your information and submit the completed application before the deadline.
Application Deadline
The current application form states that applications are open from September 1 through September 30.
Deadline: September 30
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their applications, particularly because supporting documents and the required essay must be uploaded.
About the Foundation’s Mission and Vision
The mission of the Ejiro M Ukiri International Scholarship Fund is to encourage graduating Nigerian Senior Secondary School students to pursue university or college education in Nigeria.
The organisation wants to reduce the financial burden associated with further education and give young and talented students a meaningful opportunity to succeed.
Its vision is to finance the further education of graduating Nigerian Senior Secondary School students nationwide, providing as much financial aid as possible regardless of a student’s state of origin or background.
Previous Scholarship Winners
The foundation’s website shows previous scholarship recipients, demonstrating that the programme has supported students pursuing a range of university courses.
Its 2025 winners include students studying fields such as:
- Medicine and Surgery
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Nursing
- English and Literature Studies
- Neuroscience
- Community Health Nursing
The winners attended institutions including Delta State University, Federal University of Technology, University of Jos, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, University of Lafia and others.
The website also lists previous winners from the 2024 cohort, including students studying Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Agricultural Economics, Economics and Mechanical Engineering.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
Before applying, keep these points in mind:
- The scholarship is for Nigerian students.
- Further education must be pursued in Nigeria.
- The main website identifies graduating SS3 students as eligible.
- A current report card is required.
- The current application form asks for proof of university admission.
- You must provide your university/college and course of study on the form.
- The mandatory essay must contain at least 500 words.
- The mandatory essay must answer the question about the biggest challenge you are facing and how AI could help you solve it.
- Do not use AI to write the essay. Doing so can lead to disqualification.
- An optional personal essay is also available.
- Applications are currently open from September 1–30.
Contact Information
For questions about the scholarship, the foundation provides the following email address:
ejiromukiriinternational@gmail.com
The official website also provides links to its Home, Apply, Donate, About Us and Instagram pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Ejiro M Ukiri Scholarship worth?
The foundation intends to cover first-year higher-education expenses for scholarship winners, with funding of up to ₦150,000.
Who is eligible?
The official website says applicants must be Nigerian citizens, currently attending or intend to pursue further education in Nigeria and be able to submit a current report card.
Can I study outside Nigeria with this scholarship?
No. The current application form explicitly states that the scholarship is for Nigerian students who intend to pursue further education in Nigeria.
Is the essay compulsory?
Yes. The application states that your application will be considered incomplete without the mandatory essay. It must be at least 500 words.
Can I use ChatGPT or another AI tool to write my essay?
No. The application specifically prohibits using AI to write the essay and warns that doing so will result in disqualification.
Is there an optional essay?
Yes. Applicants can optionally write about themselves, including who they were, who they are and who they are trying to become.
When does the application close?
The current application form states that applications are open from September 1 to September 30.
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
The Ejiro M Ukiri International Scholarship Fund provides financial support to Nigerian students pursuing higher education in Nigeria. The foundation intends to cover eligible first-year education expenses up to ₦150,000, helping reduce some of the financial pressure associated with entering higher education.
The current application requires applicants to provide their university and course information, proof of admission, their most recent report card and a minimum 500-word essay answering how artificial intelligence could help them solve their biggest challenge.
Most importantly, the essay must be written in the applicant’s own words without using AI, as the foundation warns that AI-generated essays can lead to disqualification.
Application period: September 1–30
Scholarship value: Up to ₦150,000
Study location: Nigeria
Eligible applicants: Nigerian students meeting the foundation’s requirements
Official application:
Contact: ejiromukiriinternational@gmail.com
