MTN Scholarship vs NNPC/Total Scholarship: Which Is Better for Nigerian Students?

For many Nigerian students, scholarships provide a much-needed lifeline to ease the financial pressure of higher education. Among the most sought-after opportunities are the MTN Foundation Scholarship and the NNPC/Total Scholarship. Both are highly competitive, reward academic excellence, and provide financial support to deserving students. However, deciding which one is better often depends on the student’s course of study, eligibility, and long-term benefits.

In this article, we will compare the MTN Scholarship and the NNPC/Total Scholarship, analyzing their requirements, benefits, and differences to help students make an informed choice.

Overview of the MTN Foundation Scholarship

The MTN Foundation Scholarship is a program sponsored by MTN Nigeria through its corporate social responsibility arm, the MTN Foundation. It is targeted at high-achieving students in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

The scholarship has three categories:

• The MTN Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (STSS) for students in science and technology-related courses.
• The MTN Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS) for visually impaired students in any discipline.
• The Top 10 UTME Scholarship, awarded to the ten students with the highest UTME scores in the country.

Winners receive ₦200,000 annually, renewable until graduation if they maintain the required academic performance.

Overview of the NNPC/Total Scholarship

The NNPC/Total National Merit Scholarship is funded by TotalEnergies in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It is one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the country, aimed at rewarding brilliant students in recognized universities across Nigeria.

Unlike the MTN Scholarship, the NNPC/Total Scholarship is open to students in various fields, including arts, social sciences, engineering, medicine, and management sciences. Beneficiaries receive ₦150,000 annually until graduation, provided they continue to meet the performance requirements.

Eligibility Requirements: MTN Scholarship vs NNPC/Total Scholarship

While both scholarships reward academic excellence, they differ in terms of eligibility.

MTN Foundation Scholarship:

• Open to Nigerian students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
• Applicants must be in their second year (200 level) or third year for direct entry students.
• A minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale for universities or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for polytechnics is required.
• Restricted mainly to students in science and technology-related courses (except for blind students who can apply from any field).

NNPC/Total Scholarship:

• Open only to university students (polytechnics and colleges of education are excluded).
• Applicants must be in their first or second year of study.
• Minimum CGPA requirement is usually 2.5 on a 5.0 scale, depending on the institution’s grading system.
• Open to students across all fields including engineering, medical sciences, social sciences, and arts.

From this comparison, the NNPC/Total Scholarship has a broader academic scope but excludes polytechnic and college of education students.

Financial Value: Which Scholarship Pays More?

The MTN Foundation Scholarship offers ₦200,000 annually, while the NNPC/Total Scholarship provides ₦150,000 annually.

Although the difference may seem small, the MTN scholarship provides slightly higher financial support. In addition, it covers a wide range of expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and accommodation.

However, both scholarships are renewable until graduation, meaning that students can receive the award for multiple years as long as they meet the academic performance conditions.

Number of Beneficiaries

Another point of comparison is the number of students each program supports annually.

• The MTN Foundation Scholarship typically supports 500 students every year across Nigeria.
• The NNPC/Total Scholarship awards go to about 400–500 students annually, depending on the budget allocation for that year.

Both scholarships are competitive, but with the MTN Foundation targeting both universities and polytechnics, the applicant pool is often larger.

Scholarship Examinations

Both programs conduct exams to test applicants before awarding scholarships.

• MTN Scholarship Exam: The test usually includes mathematics, general knowledge, English, and current affairs. For blind students, a special format is provided to ensure inclusivity.
• NNPC/Total Exam: The test is often more subject-specific and includes questions in mathematics, English, current affairs, and logical reasoning. Engineering and science students sometimes face subject-based questions as well.

Preparation for either exam requires thorough practice, with past questions serving as the best resource.

Long-Term Benefits

Beyond financial aid, both scholarships offer long-term benefits.

MTN Scholarship:

• Recognized nationwide as one of the most respected scholarships.
• Provides networking opportunities with other high-achieving students.
• Enhances a student’s CV with academic recognition.

NNPC/Total Scholarship:

• Sponsored by a multinational oil company, which can give students added prestige.
• Opens opportunities for internships or career exposure in the oil and gas sector.
• Adds weight to a student’s academic and professional profile.

While both scholarships look impressive on a CV, the NNPC/Total Scholarship has a stronger industry link, particularly for students interested in oil and gas careers.

Which Scholarship is More Competitive?

Both scholarships are highly competitive, but the level of competition differs.

• The MTN Foundation Scholarship attracts thousands of applications because it covers universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, making the applicant pool much larger.
• The NNPC/Total Scholarship, while also competitive, is limited to universities only, reducing the pool of applicants slightly.

However, since the NNPC/Total Scholarship is open to students across all disciplines, students from non-science backgrounds may find it easier to qualify compared to the science-only focus of the MTN program.

Choosing the Better Option

So, which scholarship is better for Nigerian students? The answer depends on the student’s individual circumstances:

• If you are in a science or technology course and want higher financial support, the MTN Foundation Scholarship may be more beneficial.
• If you are in arts, social sciences, or medicine, the NNPC/Total Scholarship is the better option since MTN does not cover those fields (except for blind students).
• Students in polytechnics and colleges of education can only apply for the MTN Foundation Scholarship since NNPC/Total is strictly for universities.

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