The LONG Empowerment Foundation does not have the name recognition of MTN or PTDF. It does not trend on Twitter the same way. But every year it opens a scholarship programme that gives real money — up to N350,000 per academic year — to brilliant Nigerian students who are genuinely struggling to stay in university because of financial pressure. The 2026 LONG Scholars Programme opened on May 22, 2026 and the deadline was June 18, 2026. If you missed this cycle this guide makes sure you are fully prepared for the next one. If you are still within the window, act immediately.
What Is the LONG Empowerment Foundation?
The LONG Empowerment Foundation is a Nigerian non-governmental organisation dedicated to expanding access to education for underprivileged young Nigerians across secondary school, polytechnic, and university levels. It runs the LONG Scholars Programme for university undergraduates, the LONG Young Achievers Scholarship for secondary school students, and a vocational scholarship for students in technical and skills training. The philosophy is straightforward: financial difficulty should not be the reason a brilliant young Nigerian drops out of school.
LONG Empowerment Foundation Scholarship — How Much Does It Pay?
The LONG Scholars Programme 2026 provides up to N350,000 per academic year covering tuition support, accommodation costs, and daily living stipend. The scholarship is renewable annually based on academic performance and continued financial need. Scholars who maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale can have funding renewed each year until graduation — meaning a student in a four-year programme who wins and maintains the standard could receive N1,400,000 in total support.
LONG Empowerment Foundation Scholarship Requirements
- Nigerian citizen enrolled in an accredited Nigerian university offering a Bachelor's Degree
- From a low-income family — genuine financial need is a core selection criterion
- Minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale to qualify and to maintain the award annually
- Demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to community involvement
- No IELTS required — fully domestic scholarship for Nigerian students
LONG Empowerment Foundation Scholarship Deadline
For the 2026 cycle the application period ran from May 22 to June 18, 2026 — strictly no extension. For the 2027 cycle based on previous patterns, applications are expected to open around May 2027. Set a reminder now to check the LONG Empowerment Foundation's official channels in April 2027.
LONG Empowerment Vocational Scholarship
The LONG Empowerment Foundation also runs a vocational scholarship for students pursuing technical and vocational training rather than conventional university degrees. It covers training fees and associated costs at accredited vocational training institutions. Eligibility requirements and timelines for the vocational track are announced separately from the undergraduate scholarship through the foundation's official channels.
LONG Young Achievers Scholarship
The LONG Empowerment Young Achievers Scholarship is the foundation's secondary school programme. It targets Nigerian secondary school students in private junior and senior secondary schools from households with annual income below N1,500,000. It provides up to N240,000 per academic year covering tuition, administrative fees, and examination registration including WAEC, JAMB, and JSCE. It can be awarded for up to six academic years. A parent, guardian, or older sibling must complete the application on behalf of the student.
Light and Bell Foundation Scholarship
The Light and Bell Foundation Scholarship is a Nigerian foundation award targeting underserved students with genuine financial hardship and academic promise. The foundation invests in students who demonstrate both academic achievement (the "light") and demonstrated service to others (the "bell"). Application details and current cycle status should be confirmed through the Light and Bell Foundation's official channels and affiliated scholarship aggregators that track Nigerian foundation awards.
Step by Step — How to Apply for LONG Scholars Programme
Step 1: Monitor the Portal Opening (April 2027)
The 2026 deadline passed on June 18. For the 2027 cycle check the official LONG Empowerment Foundation website starting from April 2027. The portal typically opens 3 to 4 weeks before the deadline.
Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility
Are you enrolled in an accredited Nigerian university? Is your CGPA 3.5 or above? Is your family income genuinely low? Have you shown leadership and community involvement? All four must be confirmed before you proceed.
Step 3: Prepare Your Financial Need Documentation
This is the most critical part of this application. Gather your parents' income evidence, household financial situation documentation, or letters from community leaders attesting to your circumstances. Be honest and specific — not dramatic. The selection committee reads hundreds of applications and can tell the difference.
Step 4: Prepare Your Academic Transcript
Get your current CGPA statement from your institution, signed and stamped by your Head of Department. Do not submit unofficial or self-generated grade reports — these are verified against institutional records.
Step 5: Write Your Personal Statement
Cover your financial situation honestly, your academic journey, your leadership and community involvement with specific examples, and your vision for what you will do with your education. Specific examples from your actual experience consistently outperform general statements about wanting to give back to society.
Step 6: Submit Online Before the Deadline
The application is entirely online. The portal locks at 11:59 PM WAT on the deadline day with no exceptions and no extensions. Submit at least one week before the deadline to allow time to resolve any document upload issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LONG Scholarship only for specific Nigerian states?
No. The LONG Scholars Programme is open to Nigerian undergraduate students from any state enrolled in accredited Nigerian universities nationwide. There is no regional restriction whatsoever.
Can I apply for both LONG vocational and university scholarships?
No. They are designed for mutually exclusive categories. University students apply to the LONG Scholars Programme. Vocational training students apply to the vocational scholarship track. You cannot apply to both at the same time.
Which scholarships are open now for 2026?
As of June 2026, the Toriola Stephen Excellence Scholarship closes July 30, MTN Foundation is expected to open shortly, the ASF Tertiary Scholarship is active, and multiple NGO and foundation scholarships are running current cycles. Check each organisation's official channels for real-time status.
