NNPC/Renaissance JV Scholarship 2026/2027: How to Apply

Applications are open for the NNPC/Renaissance JV Niger Delta Postgraduate Overseas Scholarship 2026/2027, a funded opportunity for eligible graduates from selected Niger Delta states to complete a postgraduate degree in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship is offered by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the operator of the joint venture involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Renaissance, TotalEnergies and AENR. Renaissance currently operates the joint venture with NNPC holding 55%, Renaissance 30%, TotalEnergies 10% and AENR 5%.

For the University of Aberdeen route, the scholarship is available only to students studying physically at the university’s Aberdeen campus. Online programmes and courses delivered at another campus are not covered under this particular application route.

The programme is targeted at qualified applicants who are indigenes of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo or Rivers State. It supports postgraduate courses relevant to the oil and gas industry and aims to develop graduates with the knowledge, leadership ability and technical skills needed in the energy sector.

Applicants must first secure admission into an eligible postgraduate programme at the University of Aberdeen before completing the scholarship application. The deadline is Friday, 17 July 2026.

What Is the NNPC/Renaissance JV Postgraduate Scholarship?

The NNPC/Renaissance JV Niger Delta Postgraduate Overseas Scholarship is an annual capacity-development programme for young Nigerian graduates from selected Niger Delta states.

The 2026/2027 edition is the seventeenth year of the overseas postgraduate scholarship programme. It provides successful applicants with the opportunity to undertake postgraduate study in disciplines connected to the oil, gas, energy, engineering, technology and related industries.

For this application route, successful candidates will study at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, United Kingdom.

The scholarship is competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership potential and a clear reason for choosing their proposed postgraduate course.

Who Sponsors the Scholarship?

The scholarship is sponsored through the NNPC/Renaissance/TotalEnergies/AENR Joint Venture.

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited became the operator of the joint venture following the acquisition of Shell’s former shareholding in SPDC and the subsequent rebranding of the company in March 2025.

The participating organisations are:

• Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited
• Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited
• TotalEnergies
• AENR

The scholarship forms part of the joint venture’s investment in education, professional development and the growth of skilled workers from the Niger Delta.

NNPC/Renaissance JV Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers the major expenses associated with completing an eligible postgraduate programme at the University of Aberdeen.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Full tuition fee coverage
• One economy return flight from Nigeria to the United Kingdom
• A contribution towards living expenses

The University of Aberdeen’s official scholarship page confirms these three main benefits.

Renaissance’s current programme announcement also describes the wider scholarship scheme as providing tuition, return airfare, a living allowance and settling-in support for successful candidates studying at participating UK universities.

Applicants should note that the official Aberdeen page describes the living support as a contribution towards living expenses. It does not publish a fixed amount on the scholarship page.

Candidates should therefore avoid relying on unofficial figures shared on social media. The final award letter should explain the exact financial arrangements applicable to successful scholars.

Eligible States

The scholarship is not open to applicants from every Nigerian state.

You must be an indigene of one of the following states:

• Bayelsa State
• Delta State
• Imo State
• Rivers State

Living, working or attending university in one of these states may not be enough. Applicants should be prepared to provide credible evidence that they are indigenes of an eligible state.

People from other Niger Delta states, including Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Abia and Ondo, are not included in the eligibility list published for this particular scholarship cycle. The official University of Aberdeen page names only Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy all the main academic, personal and nationality requirements.

Academic ability

You must display strong intellectual ability and leadership potential.

The scholarship selection process is likely to consider your university results, professional development, achievements, personal statement and performance during any interview.

University admission offer

You must have received an offer to study an eligible course at the University of Aberdeen through the university’s normal admission process.

Applying for the scholarship without first applying for university admission does not follow the stated procedure.

Degree classification

You must already hold, or expect to receive before the programme begins, a degree equivalent to a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree.

In Nigeria, this normally means applicants should have at least a Second-Class Upper degree, commonly called a 2:1, or another qualification accepted by the University of Aberdeen as equivalent.

English language requirement

Applicants must have an adequate standard of English.

The published scholarship requirement refers to an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or satisfaction of the University of Aberdeen’s language requirements through another accepted route.

A score of 6.5 does not automatically satisfy every programme. Some courses may require higher overall or individual component scores. Applicants should check the English language requirements on the page of their chosen course.

NYSC requirement

You must have completed the National Youth Service Corps programme by September 2026.

Applicants who are still serving may apply only if they will complete their NYSC programme before the stated deadline.

Age requirement

Applicants must be between 21 and 28 years old by 30 September 2026.

Someone who will be younger than 21 or older than 28 on that date may not qualify under the published rules.

Previous overseas study

Applicants must not have previously studied in the United Kingdom or another developed country.

The programme is intended to give eligible candidates an overseas postgraduate study opportunity. Previous study in one of the restricted destinations may therefore make an applicant ineligible.

Passport requirement

You must hold a Nigerian international passport that remains valid until at least December 2027.

Applicants whose passports will expire earlier should renew them immediately rather than wait until the final stages of selection.

Who Cannot Apply?

Certain categories of applicants are specifically excluded.

You cannot apply if you are:

• An employee of Renaissance
• A relative of a Renaissance employee
• A former Renaissance employee who left the organisation fewer than five years before the application
• An employee of a participating university
• A relative of an employee of a participating university
• From a state outside Bayelsa, Delta, Imo or Rivers
• Outside the stated age range
• Unable to complete NYSC by September 2026
• Previously educated in the UK or another developed country
• Without an admission offer for an eligible programme

The official scholarship page states that employees, their relatives and certain former employees of Renaissance or participating universities are not eligible.

Eligible University of Aberdeen Courses

Applicants must receive admission into an approved programme relevant to the oil and gas or energy industry.

The University of Aberdeen scholarship page confirms that candidates must hold an offer for an eligible course, but the page does not reproduce the complete course list within its main text.

Applicants should therefore confirm course eligibility before submitting the scholarship form.

Programmes commonly associated with the Aberdeen route in current scholarship campaign materials include postgraduate study in areas such as:

• Geophysics
• Petroleum geoscience
• Chemical engineering
• Safety and reliability engineering
• Data science
• Renewable energy engineering

Do not assume that every engineering, computing or energy-related programme at Aberdeen qualifies. Your admission offer should match a course approved for the 2026/2027 scholarship cycle.

You can search the University of Aberdeen’s postgraduate programmes at https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/.

University of Aberdeen Admission Application

The first stage is to apply for postgraduate admission.

The University of Aberdeen states that applicants for programmes beginning before January 2027 should use its existing Postgraduate Applicant Portal. The university does not charge an application fee for postgraduate taught or research applications.

The postgraduate application portal is https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/.

During the admission application, you may be required to provide:

• Personal information
• Details of your proposed programme
• University degree certificate
• Academic transcript
• English language information
• Employment history
• Curriculum vitae
• Reference details
• A personal statement or supporting information
• A copy of your international passport

Requirements may differ by course. Follow the instructions shown on your selected programme page and application portal.

How to Apply for the NNPC/Renaissance JV Scholarship

The application involves two connected stages: university admission and the scholarship application.

Step 1: Choose an eligible postgraduate course

Visit the University of Aberdeen postgraduate course directory and identify a programme relevant to the oil and gas or energy industry.

Check:

• Entry requirements
• Degree background required
• English language conditions
• Programme duration
• Aberdeen campus availability
• September 2026 start date
• Scholarship eligibility

The scholarship is available only to Aberdeen campus students. Do not select an online course or another study location.

Step 2: Apply for admission

Create an account through the University of Aberdeen Postgraduate Applicant Portal at https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/.

Complete the form accurately and upload the required documents.

There is no University of Aberdeen application fee for a normal postgraduate taught or research application.

Step 3: Obtain a formal admission offer

The university will assess your academic qualifications and supporting documents.

You must receive a formal offer of admission for an eligible programme before completing the scholarship process. The offer may be conditional if you still need to provide an English test, final certificate or another document.

Step 4: Complete the scholarship form

After securing the relevant admission offer, complete the official NNPC/Renaissance JV scholarship application.

The scholarship form linked from the University of Aberdeen’s official funding page is available at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=rRkrjJxf1EmQdz7Dz8UrP2nLVocPTGxKm9HhzkFnuLpUMkFPMDZVS1hWQjVRRE5ITEpUMlA4MVZHOS4u&route=shorturl.

The same Microsoft Forms application is linked directly from the university’s official scholarship page.

Step 5: Submit before the deadline

Completed scholarship applications must reach the participating university no later than 17 July 2026.

Do not wait until the closing hours. Check that the form has been submitted successfully and save any confirmation message or email.

Step 6: Prepare for possible shortlisting

The University of Aberdeen will process the applications and select candidates who may attend interviews with Renaissance.

Shortlisting does not mean an applicant has won the scholarship. Final selection will take place after the interview and any further verification.

Documents to Prepare

The official application form will determine the exact documents required. However, serious applicants should prepare the following:

• University admission offer
• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Complete academic transcript
• NYSC discharge certificate or proof of expected completion
• Nigerian international passport
• State of origin or local government identification
• Birth certificate or age declaration
• IELTS result or other accepted English evidence
• Updated curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Passport photograph
• Professional certificates, where relevant
• Evidence of leadership or community involvement
• Contact details of referees

Documents should be clear, genuine and consistent.

Your name and date of birth should match across your passport, university documents, NYSC certificate and application form. Where there is a difference, prepare an appropriate legal document or explanation.

Writing a Strong Scholarship Application

The scholarship requires more than meeting the basic conditions.

Explain your academic preparation

Show how your first degree prepared you for the proposed postgraduate programme.

Instead of simply saying that you studied engineering, explain the relevant courses, projects, research, industrial training or professional experience that developed your interest.

Connect the course to the energy industry

The scholarship supports courses relevant to oil, gas and energy.

Explain how the skills you will gain can solve real problems in areas such as:

• Energy production
• Process safety
• Environmental protection
• Data analysis
• Asset reliability
• Renewable energy
• Carbon reduction
• Petroleum exploration
• Industrial efficiency

Demonstrate leadership

Leadership does not always mean holding a major political or organisational position.

You may demonstrate leadership through:

• Coordinating a university project
• Leading a community initiative
• Mentoring younger students
• Managing a professional team
• Organising technical training
• Solving a workplace problem
• Volunteering in your community

Use a specific example and explain the result.

Explain your plans after graduation

A strong application should show that the degree is connected to a realistic career plan.

Explain how you intend to apply your training in Nigeria, particularly within the energy sector or the wider development of the Niger Delta.

Avoid vague claims such as “I want to change the world”. State the particular problem, skill or industry area you intend to address.

NNPC/Renaissance JV Scholarship Interview

Shortlisted candidates will attend an interview involving Renaissance before the final selection is made.

Interview questions may focus on:

• Your academic background
• Your chosen master’s programme
• Your understanding of the energy industry
• Your leadership experience
• Your career plans
• Why you selected the University of Aberdeen
• How your course relates to Nigeria’s development
• Your knowledge of the Niger Delta
• Information provided in your application

Review your personal statement before attending the interview. Be ready to explain every claim you made.

Applicants should answer honestly rather than memorising exaggerated responses.

Application Deadline

The closing date for the NNPC/Renaissance JV Niger Delta Postgraduate Overseas Scholarship is:

17 July 2026

The University of Aberdeen states that completed scholarship forms must reach the participating universities by this date.

An admission application alone is not the scholarship application. You must complete the required scholarship form after obtaining a formal offer.

Important Application Links

Use only the official links below:

Official University of Aberdeen scholarship page: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/690

University of Aberdeen postgraduate application portal: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/

Postgraduate course directory: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/

Official scholarship application form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=rRkrjJxf1EmQdz7Dz8UrP2nLVocPTGxKm9HhzkFnuLpUMkFPMDZVS1hWQjVRRE5ITEpUMlA4MVZHOS4u&route=shorturl

Renaissance Africa Energy Company website: https://renaissanceafrica.com/

These links are enough to complete the Aberdeen route. Avoid websites asking you to pay for access to the form or promising guaranteed selection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying without an admission offer

The published procedure requires applicants to first apply for and receive an offer for an eligible course.

Choosing an ineligible course

Not every postgraduate programme at Aberdeen is covered. Confirm that your chosen course is approved for the scholarship.

Selecting an online programme

The scholarship page clearly states that the opportunity is available only to Aberdeen campus students.

Ignoring the state requirement

Only indigenes of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states qualify for this cycle.

Using an expired or short-validity passport

Your Nigerian passport must remain valid until at least December 2027.

Applying outside the age range

You must be between 21 and 28 years old by 30 September 2026.

Waiting until the deadline

Admission decisions and document preparation can take time. Leaving everything until the closing date increases the risk of an incomplete application.

Providing inconsistent information

Differences in your name, age, state of origin or academic history can delay verification and weaken your application.

Is the Scholarship Fully Funded?

The scholarship covers tuition fees, one economy return flight and a contribution towards living expenses. These are substantial benefits and can cover the major costs of completing a one-year postgraduate programme in the UK.

However, the University of Aberdeen page uses the phrase “a contribution towards living expenses” rather than publishing a guaranteed amount for every personal expense.

Applicants should wait for the official award terms before deciding whether every possible cost will be covered.

Conclusion

The NNPC/Renaissance JV Niger Delta Postgraduate Overseas Scholarship 2026/2027 offers eligible graduates from Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states an opportunity to complete postgraduate study at the University of Aberdeen.

The scholarship covers tuition fees, one economy return flight and a contribution towards living expenses. Applicants must demonstrate academic ability and leadership potential, hold at least the equivalent of a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree, complete NYSC by September 2026 and meet the age, passport and English language requirements.

The correct process is to apply for an eligible Aberdeen campus programme, receive a formal admission offer and then complete the official scholarship form.

All applications must be submitted by 17 July 2026.

FAQs About the NNPC/Renaissance JV Scholarship

What is the NNPC/Renaissance JV scholarship?

It is an overseas postgraduate scholarship for eligible graduates from selected Niger Delta states to study courses relevant to the oil and gas industry.

Which states are eligible?

Applicants must be indigenes of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo or Rivers State.

What does the scholarship cover?

It covers tuition fees, one economy return flight from Nigeria to the UK and a contribution towards living expenses.

What is the deadline?

The application deadline is 17 July 2026.

Can an applicant from Akwa Ibom apply?

No. Akwa Ibom is not included in the four eligible states published for this scholarship cycle.

Do I need admission before applying for the scholarship?

Yes. You must apply through the university’s normal admission process and receive an offer for an eligible course before completing the scholarship application.

What degree result is required?

Applicants must hold or expect to hold a qualification equivalent to a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree, normally a Second-Class Upper degree from a Nigerian university.

Is IELTS compulsory?

The scholarship page refers to at least 6.5 in IELTS or meeting the university’s English language requirements through an accepted route. The exact requirement may depend on your course.

Can someone who is still serving in NYSC apply?

Yes, provided the applicant will complete the NYSC programme by September 2026.

What is the age limit?

Applicants must be between 21 and 28 years old by 30 September 2026.

Can applicants who previously studied in the UK apply?

No. The eligibility conditions exclude applicants who have previously studied in the UK or another developed country.

Can I apply for an online University of Aberdeen programme?

No. The scholarship is available only to students studying at the Aberdeen campus.

Does the University of Aberdeen charge an admission application fee?

No. The university states that there is no application fee for postgraduate taught or research applications.

Where can I complete the scholarship application?

The official form linked by the University of Aberdeen is available at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=rRkrjJxf1EmQdz7Dz8UrP2nLVocPTGxKm9HhzkFnuLpUMkFPMDZVS1hWQjVRRE5ITEpUMlA4MVZHOS4u&route=shorturl.