Studying nursing in Nigeria comes with expenses beyond ordinary school fees.
Students may have to pay for clinical training, uniforms, transportation, textbooks, practical materials, departmental charges and other professional requirements.
For students looking for nursing scholarships in 2026, healthcare-specific opportunities are worth checking because their eligibility requirements may fit nursing students better than general undergraduate scholarships.
Two nursing funding opportunities Nigerian students should know about are the Light and Bells Health Foundation JSI Tuition Support Scholarship and the Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation College of Nursing Sciences Bursary Award.
Light and Bells Health Foundation Nursing Scholarship 2026
The Light and Bells Health Foundation provides tuition assistance to students studying healthcare-related courses at government-owned institutions across Africa.
Its scholarship program is divided into three categories covering medicine, nursing and allied health courses.
Nursing students apply under the JSI Tuition Support/Assistance Scholarship.
Who Can Apply for the JSI Nursing Scholarship?
The JSI scholarship is specifically available to students pursuing:
- Bachelor of Nursing Science, B.N.Sc
- HND Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN
Applicants must be studying at a government-owned institution.
The Foundation accepts government institutions at the:
- Federal level
- State level
- Local level
For the 2026 scholarship cycle, two nursing students were to be selected under the JSI category.
This means students attending private nursing institutions should not assume that they qualify.
Can Nigerian Nursing Students Apply?
Yes.
The Light and Bells Health Foundation scholarship is designed for healthcare students across Africa, and Nigerian students studying nursing at eligible government-owned institutions can apply if they meet the requirements.
Applicants must be enrolled in an eligible nursing program and provide accurate personal, academic and institutional information.
How Much Is the Light and Bells Nursing Scholarship?
Each successful applicant receives $100 in tuition assistance.
The amount is normally paid directly to the student’s university, nursing school or institution.
The Foundation states that payment to a student’s personal account will only be considered in rare situations where the institution does not permit direct deposits.
This is important because the scholarship should not be treated as an unrestricted cash award.
Its main purpose is to provide tuition assistance.
How Many Nursing Students Will Receive the Scholarship?
Two students are selected under the nursing category.
The full Light and Bells scholarship program provides six awards altogether:
- Two Medicine students under the G&G Scholarship
- Two Nursing students under the JSI Scholarship
- Two Allied Health students under the Vision Scholarship
Nursing students should therefore make sure they select the JSI Tuition Support/Assistance Scholarship when applying.
Light and Bells Nursing Scholarship Requirements
Applicants were required to:
- Be studying an eligible nursing program
- Attend a government-owned institution
- Complete every required part of the application form
- Provide accurate personal information
- Provide verifiable academic information
- Provide correct institutional information
Incomplete applications were not considered.
Students should make sure that the information they provide matches their official school records.
Documents Nursing Students Should Prepare
The official scholarship guidelines emphasize accurate and verifiable academic and institutional information.
Before applying for another round, nursing students should therefore have their main academic documents ready.
These may include:
- Admission letter
- Current school ID card
- Academic results or transcript
- O’Level result
- Recent passport photograph
- Evidence of current enrollment
- Correct institution details
- Active email address
- Active phone number
Students should follow the document instructions shown on the current application form because requirements can change between application cycles.
Do not upload documents that have been altered or provide academic information that cannot be verified.
How to Apply for the Light and Bells Nursing Scholarship
Applications are completed through the Light and Bells Health Foundation scholarship application process.
When applications reopen:
- Visit the official Light and Bells Health Foundation scholarship page. : https://lightandbellshealth.com/scholarships-and-grants
- Read the current scholarship guidelines.
- Select the JSI Tuition Support/Assistance Scholarship for nursing students.
- Complete all required sections of the application.
- Enter your personal information correctly.
- Provide your institution and academic details.
- Upload any requested supporting documents.
- Complete any personal statement or written questions.
- Review your information carefully.
- Submit before the deadline.
The Foundation does not accept late or incomplete applications.
Can Students Use AI to Write the Scholarship Application?
This is an important requirement.
Light and Bells Health Foundation allows applicants to use AI tools only for limited assistance such as:
- Grammar correction
- Spelling
- Language improvement
However, the Foundation says personal statements, achievements, experiences and supporting information must genuinely reflect the applicant’s own life.
Applications containing substantial AI-generated content can be disqualified.
Nursing students should therefore write their personal statements themselves.
If you use a writing tool, use it only to correct your English rather than inventing experiences or producing an artificial scholarship story.
What Should You Write in Your Nursing Scholarship Personal Statement?
If the application asks why you deserve the scholarship, avoid writing only:
“I need money to continue my education.”
Explain your actual circumstances.
You can discuss:
- Why you chose nursing
- Your current nursing program
- Your academic progress
- Financial challenges affecting your studies
- Clinical or practical experience
- Community health activities you have participated in
- Your career plans after graduation
- How the scholarship would help you continue your training
Use specific experiences.
For example, if you participated in a health outreach, vaccination campaign, clinical posting or community health education program, explain what you actually did.
Your statement should sound like you, not like a general essay copied from the internet.
Light and Bells Nursing Scholarship Deadline 2026
Applications for the 2026 scholarship opened on July 6, 2026.
The deadline was:
October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM WAT.
The 2026 application is therefore closed.
Students interested in the next cycle should monitor the Foundation’s official scholarship page instead of applying through old forms shared on WhatsApp or social media.
When Will Successful Applicants Be Announced?
The Foundation says applicants from the 2026 cycle will be notified of the selection outcome by:
December 18, 2026
Notification will be sent by email.
Applicants should therefore make sure the email address entered in the application is correct and accessible.
Students who already applied should also check their spam or junk folder around the notification period.
What Happens After Receiving the Scholarship?
Successful beneficiaries are expected to provide feedback about how the scholarship helped their education.
The Foundation asks beneficiaries to submit either:
- A short video testimonial of about one to two minutes, or
- A written testimonial by email
The Foundation says testimonials will only be shared publicly with the recipient’s consent.
Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation Nursing Bursary 2026
Another important nursing-specific funding opportunity is the College of Nursing Sciences Bursary Awards operated by the Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation.
Unlike the Light and Bells scholarship, this opportunity is not open to nursing students throughout Nigeria.
It is specifically for students currently enrolled at the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku, Delta State.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must currently be students of:
College of Nursing Sciences, Eku, Delta State.
The Foundation provides awards to 20 nursing students each year.
Students attending other Colleges of Nursing Sciences should not apply unless the Foundation announces an expansion of the program.
How Much Is the Lil & Fred Okotie Nursing Bursary?
Each selected student receives:
- ₦150,000 bursary
- ₦10,000 monthly allowance
The ₦150,000 bursary is paid directly to the school.
The monthly ₦10,000 allowance is intended to assist beneficiaries with expenses such as:
- Living expenses
- Study materials
- Transportation
The Foundation also provides ongoing encouragement and mentorship to beneficiaries.
How Many Students Are Selected?
The Foundation states that 20 students are supported annually through the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku bursary program.
The 2025/2026 edition supported 20 financially disadvantaged students at the college.
Lil & Fred Okotie Nursing Scholarship Requirements
The main published eligibility condition is that applicants must currently be enrolled at the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku.
The Foundation describes the program as support for nursing students facing financial challenges.
Students applying should therefore be prepared to demonstrate both:
- Current enrollment at the College
- Genuine financial need
Academic commitment may also be considered during the screening process.
Application Timeline
The Foundation publishes a clear annual timetable for this nursing bursary.
Applications open: August
Application deadline: October 31
Screening and interviews: November
Award ceremony: December
For students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku, this timetable is worth saving.
Do not wait until late October before asking about the application.
How to Apply for the Lil & Fred Okotie Nursing Bursary
The Foundation’s public nursing scholarship page gives the annual application timetable but does not currently provide a detailed online application form or complete document checklist.
Eligible students should therefore monitor:
- The College of Nursing Sciences, Eku
- The school’s student notice channels
- The Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation website
- Official Foundation announcements
The Foundation has historically used applications and interviews as part of its scholarship selection process.
Students should follow the instructions announced for the current nursing bursary cycle rather than using an old form.
Does the Scholarship Require an Interview?
Yes, the Foundation’s current timetable specifically includes screening and interviews in November.
Applicants should therefore prepare to discuss their education and financial circumstances.
Possible areas students should be ready to explain include:
- Their nursing education
- Academic progress
- Financial situation
- Why they require support
- How the bursary would help their studies
Answers should be honest and straightforward.
Documents to Keep Ready
The Foundation does not currently publish a complete document list on the nursing bursary page.
Eligible students should nevertheless keep the documents normally needed to confirm their student status ready.
These may include:
- Admission letter
- College student ID
- Current academic result
- Evidence of enrollment
- Passport photograph
- School fee information
- Active phone number
- Active email address
Applicants should follow the official document list provided when applications open.
Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation Contact Details
Students who need clarification about the bursary can contact the Foundation directly.
Email: info@lilfredokotiefoundation.org
Phone: +234 802 3454 105
Nigeria Office: 391 Sapele Warri Road, Igbeku-Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria.
Students should use official Foundation or school channels rather than paying third parties to obtain scholarship forms.
Can Nursing Students Outside Eku Apply?
Not for this particular bursary.
The College of Nursing Sciences Bursary Award is specifically for students enrolled at the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku, Delta State.
However, the Foundation says it plans additional scholarship opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate and nursing students, so students from other institutions can monitor future announcements.
Light and Bells vs Lil & Fred Okotie Nursing Scholarship
The two scholarships serve different groups.
The Light and Bells JSI Scholarship is broader. Nursing students pursuing B.N.Sc, HND Nursing or BSN programs at eligible government-owned institutions across Africa can apply.
The Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation Nursing Bursary is much more specific. It is for students currently enrolled at the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku, Delta State.
The financial structure is also different.
Light and Bells provides $100 in tuition support to each selected nursing student.
Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation provides ₦150,000 paid to the school plus a ₦10,000 monthly allowance to each selected nursing student.
Students should check eligibility before spending time preparing an application.
Can Students in Colleges of Nursing Apply for Scholarships?
Yes, but it depends on the scholarship.
Some scholarships accept only university students pursuing a B.N.Sc.
Others accept students studying nursing through colleges or other recognized institutions.
The Light and Bells scholarship explicitly recognizes nursing qualifications including B.N.Sc, HND Nursing and BSN, but the applicant must attend an eligible government-owned institution.
The Lil & Fred Okotie award specifically targets the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku.
Always check both the qualification and institution requirements.
Can HND Nursing Students Apply?
Yes, for the Light and Bells JSI Tuition Support Scholarship.
The Foundation specifically lists HND Nursing among the eligible nursing qualifications.
Students should still confirm all other eligibility conditions before applying.
Can Private Nursing Students Apply?
For Light and Bells, the published requirement specifies government institutions at federal, state or local level.
Students in private nursing institutions should therefore not assume they qualify.
For the Lil & Fred Okotie Foundation bursary, eligibility is based on attendance at the College of Nursing Sciences, Eku.
Are There Scholarships for Other Healthcare Students?
Yes.
The Light and Bells Health Foundation operates separate scholarship categories for other healthcare students.
Medicine students pursuing MBBS or MD programs can apply under the G&G Tuition Support/Assistance Scholarship.
Students studying allied health courses can apply under the Vision Tuition Support/Assistance Scholarship.
The allied health category covers courses such as:
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
- Other qualifying allied health programs
Two students are selected under each category.
What Nursing Students Should Prepare Before Applying for Scholarships
Nursing students should keep their main documents organized before scholarship applications open.
Useful documents include:
- Admission letter
- Student identification card
- Academic transcript or latest result
- WAEC, NECO or equivalent result where required
- Passport photograph
- Evidence of current enrollment
- School fee schedule
- Recommendation letter where required
- Evidence of financial need where requested
You should also prepare a short personal statement about your nursing education.
Do not use the same statement for every scholarship.
Read the question first and answer what the sponsor actually asks.
What Makes a Good Nursing Scholarship Personal Statement?
A strong statement should tell the reader something specific about you.
Instead of writing:
“I have always wanted to save lives.”
Explain the experience that influenced your decision to study nursing.
It could be:
- An experience during clinical posting
- Caring for someone
- Participating in a community health program
- Seeing a healthcare problem in your community
- Volunteering in a clinic or health campaign
Then connect that experience with what you hope to do professionally.
If the scholarship is need-based, explain your financial circumstances clearly without exaggerating them.
Is NELFUND a Nursing Scholarship?
No.
NELFUND is a student loan program, not a scholarship.
Its official student loan portal describes the funding as an interest-free loan and states that repayment begins after the applicable post-study period.
A loan and a scholarship should not be described as the same thing.
Scholarships and bursaries generally provide financial assistance that recipients are not expected to repay, provided they comply with the award conditions.
Loans have repayment terms.
Nursing students considering NELFUND should therefore read the loan conditions separately rather than treating it as a fully funded nursing scholarship.
How Nursing Students Can Find More Scholarships
Do not search only for “scholarships in Nigeria.”
Use searches that match your qualification and course.
Examples include:
- Nursing scholarships in Nigeria
- Scholarships for nursing students in Nigeria
- B.N.Sc scholarships
- HND Nursing scholarships
- College of Nursing scholarship Nigeria
- Nursing bursary Nigeria
- Healthcare scholarships Nigeria
- Scholarships for student nurses
- Scholarships for nursing students in Delta State
- Scholarships for medical and nursing students
Students should also monitor:
- Their school’s bursary office
- Student affairs office
- State scholarship boards
- Nursing associations
- Healthcare foundations
- Hospital foundations
- Community foundations
- Government scholarship programs
How to Avoid Fake Nursing Scholarships
Be careful with scholarship announcements circulating only on WhatsApp or Telegram.
Before submitting personal information:
- Find the sponsor’s official website
- Confirm the scholarship name
- Check the current deadline
- Verify the eligibility requirements
- Confirm the official application method
- Avoid paying individuals to “secure” a scholarship
- Never provide your ATM PIN
- Never provide your banking password
- Never send an OTP to a scholarship agent
When a genuine scholarship closes, wait for the next official announcement instead of submitting documents through an old application link.
For nursing students, targeted searches can reveal opportunities that are easy to miss in general scholarship lists. The most important step is to check the qualification, institution and academic-level requirements before applying.
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