Frequently Asked Questions

ELIGIBILITY AND APPLYING FOR THE JIM OVIA SCHOLARS PROGRAM

i.  What is the Jim Ovia Scholars Program

The Jim Ovia Scholars Program is a national initiative to educate and develop next-generation leaders who will contribute to social and economic progress of Nigeria. The Program enables Nigerian youths from economically disadvantaged communities to complete a quality tertiary education, and make successful transitions to further education or to the workforce in Nigeria.

ii.  Who is a Jim Ovia Scholar?

A Jim Ovia scholar is any individual that has benefitted or was awarded a Jim Ovia Scholarship as financial support for the purpose of completing his/her undergraduate tertiary education.

 

iii.  Who can apply?

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

The Jim Ovia Scholars program for undergraduate level students is open to matriculated full-time University/College applicants who are residents and citizens of Nigeria. This program aims to support academically qualified, yet economically disadvantaged, youths in Nigeria who will contribute to the transformation of the future of the country.

 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

The Jim Ovia Scholars program for Masters and Ph.D level students is currently closed for applications.

iv.  How do I apply to the Jim Ovia's Scholar’s Program?

Please note that all applications to the Jim Ovia scholars Program is only accepted online. Handwritten applications and verbal referrals are not acceptable.

Please VISIT THE HOME PAGE and follow the prompt at the bottom of the page for New Beneficiaries and Returning Beneficiaries, accordingly. All applicants must complete their application online on our website in order to be considered for the scholarship. No applications will be accepted via mail or hand-delivered. We will not accept phone calls regarding applications. All inquiries must be made via email and sent to enquiry@jimoviafoundation.org

You can check the status of your application online in your Jim Ovia Scholars Account.

 

v.  How much do the Jim Ovia scholarship awards come to?

Beneficiaries of the Jim Ovia scholarship receive an annual award of 150,000 Nigerian Naira, renewable for up to the entire duration of the beneficiary’s educational tenure. Take note that awards are not automatically renewed annually. Students who have previously been awarded the Jim Ovia Scholarship must fill-out a renewal application online to re-apply.

Incomplete or non-submission of the required documentation, unverifiable or forged documents will automatically disqualify you for the scholarship.

vi.  How many awards are available each year?

There are 100 new scholarships available for award each year. All eligible renewing applicants who meet the renewal scholar’s criteria will be re-awarded a renewal scholarship.

vii.  When is the deadline to apply?

The current application portal is open from October until December (subject to review).

 

viii.  Can I still apply after the deadline?

Application deadlines are firm. Once the deadline has elapsed, no more applications will be accepted. You will have to wait till the next award year to apply. 

 

viii.  Can I apply through an agent?

The Jim Ovia Scholarship is wholly and solely run by the Jim Ovia Foundation. Any organisation purporting to assist you with applications are not affiliated with us.

Upon discovery that your submission was made through an "agent", you would be blacklisted from the Scholarship programme.

 

ix. Once a Beneficiary, always a Beneficiary?


No

When awarded the Jim Ovia Scholarship, a beneficiary must reapply annually by filling out the Scholarship Renewal Application and submiting all supporting documents reflecting continued enrolment at host institution, satisfactory grade point avaerage, and identification documents. The scholarship board will then proceed to review and re-verify your status with your school along with other supporting documents in order to re-award you the scholarship.

x.  Are there any fees payable to the Jim Ovia Foundation to submit an application?

 We do not collect any application fees. All applications are free. Please report any persons or organizations alleging to collect fees on our behalf to us at enquiry@jimoviafoundation.org. Note that paying to submit an application is a waste of your resources and you would end up blacklisted.

xi.  What documentation is required for my application?

The following documents are required to submit a full application for a New or Renewal Scholarship Award. Please note that all scanned copies must be of the original document, photocopied scans will not be accepted.

 

New Applicant’s documentation:

a)    Completed online application

b)    Valid Government ID (e.g. International passport, Voter’s Card, National ID or Driver’s License)

Please note that a certificate of origin or birth certificate will not be accepted as a valid form of ID. The only exception will be for minors below the age of 18 years who are unable to apply for a government ID. In which case, a birth certificate will be accepted in lieu of a government ID for such minors.

c)    An official original letter (not photocopied) letter from your school/Head of Department stating the following:

  • Your full-name
  • Course Title
  • Department of Study
  • CGPA
  • Gender
  • Matriculation number

OR

  • Newly matriculated who have not yet received a matriculation number or school ID must provide a provisional admission letter to their institution of study.

d)    Original Secondary School Certificate (WAEC or NECO)

e)    Original JAMB result certificate

f)     A valid student ID for your host institution (University/College)

g)    A passport photograph

 

Renewing Applicant’s documentation:

a)    Completed online application

b)    Valid Government ID (e.g. International passport, Voter’s Card, National ID or Driver’s License)

Please note that a certificate of origin or birth certificate will not be accepted as a valid form of ID. The only exception will be for minors below the age of 18 years who are unable to apply for a government ID. In which case, a birth certificate will be accepted in lieu of a government ID for such minors.

c)    An official original letter (not photocopied) letter from your school/Head of Department stating the following:

  • Your full-name
  • Course Title
  • Department of Study
  • CGPA
  • Gender
  • Matriculation number

d)    A valid student ID for your host institution (University/College)

e)    A passport photograph

f)     The most recent CGPA result slip (signed and stamped by the HOD or from the ICT centre)

 

xii.  Will my documentation be verified?

All submitted documents will be verified by the scholarship selection committee. Applicants found to have submitted false information or unverifiable or forged documents will no longer be eligible to apply for the Jim Ovia Scholars Program.

 

xiii.  What are the guidelines for filling out the Jim Ovia Scholarship applications?

Complete application instructions will be available on each application form. To access the scholarship application, you have to first of all open a Jim Ovia Scholars Account. Once you open your account, application forms will become available to you between the months of October and December (see article vii above)  in your scholars account. If you would like further guidance on filling out the application, read more on our Scholarship Application Guide

 

xiv.  What happens after I submit my application?

All submitted applications will be reviewed and processed in the order in which they are received. All short-listed candidates will be contacted on the next step in the process. Ensure that all contact details you submitted are accurate and reliable. There is no need to contact us once you submit an application. Remember that you can always check the status of your application in your Jim Ovia Scholars Account.

 

xv.  How long before shortlisted candidates are contacted?

Every application is carefully reviewed by a designated scholarship committee. For the most part, decisions on finalists will be communicated as soon as a decision in made. The review process can take up to 20 weeks. You can check back from time to time in your Jim Ovia Scholars Account for updates on your submission by clicking on the 'submitted applications' tab underneath your profile picture in your account.