Is the Elechi Scholarship the End of “Free Money” for UNN Students?

If you’re a 300-level student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, you’ve probably seen the headlines about the 2026 Elechi Scholarship. But before you start celebrating a “big payday,” you need to realize that this isn’t your typical Nigerian scholarship where you get a fat check and walk away.

This year marks the fourth edition of the program, but the organizers are calling it a “maiden test run” for a brand new funding model. For now, they are keeping things exclusive to UNN students to see how this new approach holds up.

What’s different about this scholarship?

The team behind the Elechi Scholarship noticed a few recurring problems with how student aid usually works in Nigeria, mainly that big, one-time payments often vanish quickly, and there’s rarely any follow-up on how the money actually helps a student’s education, leaving a major concern.

To fix this, they’ve moved to a “steady support” model:

• Direct Payments: They handle your tuition and accommodation fees by paying UNN directly. No middleman, no stress.
• Monthly Allowance: Instead of a lump sum, the rest of the award is broken down into monthly stipends to help you cover daily living costs throughout the year.
• Performance-Based: The scholarship lasts for one year, but if you keep your grades up and your referees give you a thumbs-up, you can get it renewed.

Do you qualify?

The criteria for this round are very specific. You must be:

1. A student at UNN.
2. Currently in your 300 Level. (Note: If you don’t meet both of these, your application won’t be considered this time around.)

The Paperwork You’ll Need

Before you jump into the application form, make sure you have these three things ready:

• Academic Transcript: This needs to be signed and stamped by your department. They are flexible here as long as at least 70% of your results from the previous year are ready, you can apply.
• Motivation Letter: Keep it under 500 words. Be direct and clear about why you’re the right fit for this. Save it as a PDF or Word doc.
• Referee Letter: You’ll need a recommendation from a lecturer in your department. Choose someone you actually get along with, as the organizers will keep in touch with them to track your progress.

How to Get Started

The application is entirely online. You can find the submission link through the Elechi Scholarships 2026 application form.

The Clock is Ticking:

• Opened: January 24, 2026
• Deadline: February 26, 2026 (at 11:00 PM WAT)

If you run into any hitches, you can reach out to the team via email at [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to +2347043184330