Secondary school
50 scholarships a year
For secondary school students. The guidelines and application steps on this page apply.
Secondary school scholarshipsOur programmes
Scholarships
We help bright students from financially disadvantaged homes stay in school, with a special commitment to young people who want to build a career in agriculture.
Overview
J. Okonkwo Foundation scholarships
Each year we award 100 scholarships: 50 for secondary school students and 50 for tertiary education.
If you are a student, or the relative or guardian of someone who would like to apply for a scholarship, please visit the Secondary School or Tertiary / University scholarship pages for information and instructions on how to apply. All requirements below must be followed to qualify for a J. Okonkwo Foundation scholarship.
Choose your level
Secondary school and tertiary scholarships
Tertiary / university
50 scholarships a year
For students in tertiary education, with scholarships in seven areas of agriculture and related courses.
Tertiary / university scholarshipsDisclaimer: We do not have any agents for our scholarship scheme, and we do not sell our scholarship form. Anyone interested in the J. Okonkwo Agric Scholarship should visit our website at www.jokonkwofoundation.org.
Scholarship guidelines
Who can apply
All requirements below must be followed to qualify for a J. Okonkwo Foundation scholarship.
Residency requirements
To be considered for J. Okonkwo Foundation scholarships, you must be Nigerian and resident in Nigeria.
Note: some specific company and member-organisation scholarships are exempt from this requirement.
Residency definition
You qualify if:
- you have been a legal resident of Nigeria for at least a year;
- you are a current Senior Secondary School graduate from within Nigeria; or
- you are a secondary, college, polytechnic or university student who is resident in Nigeria and moved out of the country only to further your education in agriculture.
You are ineligible if you are
- an individual who moved to the country only to attend college here;
- an individual who moved away from Nigeria for a purpose other than studying agriculture-related courses;
- an individual who has never lived in Nigeria; or
- not a Nigerian citizen.
Deadlines and selection
How and when we decide
Deadline: 1 November
Applications and nominations must arrive by 1 November to be considered at the December evaluation. That is six months or more before the academic year starts, in time for tuition support due in August.
Selection
The Board of Trustees meets once a year, usually in December, to consider requests for the next academic year. Everyone who qualifies is considered, even if they received support the year before.
Decision time
Applicants are told as soon as possible. Generally, a decision is made between 6 and 12 months after the request is submitted.
One request per family
Only one scholarship request per family is accepted in any calendar year. If the Trustees deny a request, the same application can't be submitted again.
Supporting documents
Documents to attach
Attach clear copies of the following to your completed application form:
- Birth certificate and baptismal certificate
- School transcripts
- Parents' tax returns
- Recommendation letters from the school, the community and the church
- Recent passport photograph
- Admission letter from your school or institution
File guidance
- Send files as PDF, JPG or PNG only.
- Keep each file under 2 MB and all attachments together under 10 MB. If your email is too large, send your documents in more than one email with the same subject line.
- For handwritten forms, scan the pages or photograph them flat, in good light, with every word readable.
- Give files clear names, for example Amina-Bello-transcript.pdf.
Apply
How to apply
Follow the four steps below. Applications must reach us by 1 November to be considered at the December evaluation.
Download the application form
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Download the form
Download the fillable PDF form above. The form is free.
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Fill it in
Type your answers into the form on a computer or phone. Or print it, fill it in by hand, then scan or photograph every page clearly.
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Attach your documents
Attach the completed form and all the supporting documents to one email.
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Email everything to us
Send your application to scholarships [at] jokonkwofoundation [dot] org.
Email subject line
Use this exact format so we can find and track your application:
Scholarship Application – [Full Name] – [School]
For example: Scholarship Application – Amina Bello – Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Email your applicationThis opens your email app with the subject filled in. Replace [Full Name] and [School] with your own details, then attach your files.
Questions about applying? Call +234 805 555 4931. Applications are accepted by email only.
Our founding programme
The Agric-Champion Scholarship
Our first programme, the J. Okonkwo Foundation Agric-Champion Scholarship, has been awarded since the 2018/19 academic session. It supports academically strong but financially disadvantaged students at Nigerian public universities and colleges who are studying agriculture and are committed to a lifelong career in it.
Why agriculture?
Agriculture goes far beyond farming. It includes forestry, dairy, fruit cultivation, poultry, beekeeping, mushroom growing, arboriculture and much more. We want young Nigerians to see it as a first-choice career and a route to prosperity.
Questions
Scholarship FAQs
The scholarship
What is the average amount of a scholarship award?
Generally, the J. Okonkwo Foundation accepts requests of up to ₦350,000 per annum.
How many scholarships are issued?
One hundred each year: fifty for secondary school and fifty for tertiary education. See the secondary school and tertiary / university scholarship pages.
What type of student does the foundation support?
Students with a B average or better.
What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship provides an award for each selected student towards tuition and books. It must be used only for the student's education, not for other family needs.
Does the scholarship cover foreign universities?
Yes. The residency rules still apply.
Are there any geographical restrictions?
Because our resources are limited, the scholarship is available to Nigerians only. See the residency requirements.
Does the foundation make multi-year scholarships?
Yes. The Board of Trustees meets once a year, usually in December, to consider requests for the next academic year. Everyone who qualifies is considered, even if they received support the previous year.
Is the scholarship renewable?
Yes. Scholars can receive an annual scholarship if they keep an overall grade of A or B (a B average or better) until they receive their degree.
When will I receive my award letter?
We issue award letters after you have sent all the required documents and we have confirmed your enrolment directly with your school or institution.
Can I accept another scholarship as well?
If you receive any other scholarship, you must tell the foundation.
Applying
How do I apply?
Download the application form from the Scholarships page. Fill it in, attach your supporting documents, and email everything to scholarships [at] jokonkwofoundation [dot] org with the subject line Scholarship Application – [Full Name] – [School].
Where can I get an application form?
Download it from our Scholarships page and email it to scholarships [at] jokonkwofoundation [dot] org. The form is free: we do not sell our scholarship form, and we do not have any agents.
Do I have to fill in the form and send it back to you by email?
Yes. Download the PDF form and type your answers into it, or print it and fill it in by hand, then scan or photograph every page clearly. Email the completed form and your supporting documents to scholarships [at] jokonkwofoundation [dot] org using the subject line Scholarship Application – [Full Name] – [School].
What is the deadline for applications and nominations?
1 November, to be considered at the December evaluation. That is six months or more before the academic year starts, in time for tuition support due in August.
How long until I hear whether my request has been accepted?
We notify applicants as soon as possible. Generally, a decision is made between 6 and 12 months after the request is submitted.
Which supporting documents are acceptable?
Birth and baptismal certificates, school transcripts, parents' tax returns, and recommendations from your school, community and church. See the full list of documents.
Should I wait until all my documents are ready before sending anything?
No. Please send your documents as soon as each one is ready, using the same subject line every time. This helps us see which documents we are still waiting for and sort out any problems before the deadline.
How often may we apply?
Only one scholarship request per family is accepted in any calendar year. If the Trustees deny a request, the same application can't be submitted again.
Can I use an electronic signature, or do I have to print the form?
We prefer a handwritten signature. If you cannot print the form and scan it, we will accept an electronic signature.
Which file types can I send?
Please send PDF, JPG or PNG files only. Keep each file under 2 MB and each email under 10 MB. If your files are larger, send them in more than one email with the same subject line.
Did you receive my email?
We receive many emails during the application period, so please be patient. If you have not heard from us within three days, send each document in a separate email. Large emails sometimes fail to arrive.