The Jim Ovia foundation – previously known as the MUSTE scholarship, offers scholarships annually to Nigerian with the aim to enable those of the youth from economically disadvantaged communities to complete a quality tertiary education, and make successful transitions to further education or to the workforce in Nigeria. Eligble awardees are supported for their undergraduate study for the duration of their program and includes tuition and maintenance allowances.
About the Jim Ovia foundation
The Jim Ovia Scholars Program was founded since 1998. The scholarship was previously known as the MUSTE scholarship. It is fully funded by Mr. Jim Ovia to provide financial aid to outstanding Nigeria youths. The scheme offers an average of 100 opportunities each year for new applicants while renewing applicants are supported annually, conditional on meeting all eligible requirements of the scholarship.
In establishing the Jim Ovia Scholarship, Mr. Ovia hoped to create a network of future leaders within Nigeria who can compete globally with their peers, bring new ideas, creativity and are committed to improving the lives and circumstances of people in their respective communities. Over time it is expected that the Jim Ovia Scholarship beneficiaries will become leaders in helping to address challenges related to health, technology, and finance, all areas in which the foundation is deeply engaged.
Who is Jim Ovia
Jim James Ovia, dubbed the “Godfather of Banking” by Forbes Africa, earned this title by building Nigeria’s largest bank, ranked 325th in the world – Zenith Bank. As the Chairman of Prudential Zenith Life Assurance Limited, he oversaw the landmark partnership of Prudential UK; Nigeria’s fastest growing life assurance company. He is currently the Chairman and majority shareholder of Zenith General Insurance Limited.
Since 2010, Mr. Ovia realizing the importance that education played in his success, established the Jim Ovia Foundation and has invested over 100 Million Naira in the program to support 1500 beneficiaries and counting.
Scholarship amount
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.
Note: 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.
Application process
All details relavent to applying can be found below
Eligibility
The scholarship is open to the following candidates:
- Nigerian citizens in a Nigerian institution.
- Undergradute students
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of:
- Leadership capability
- Personal intellectual ability
- Desire to contribute to society at large to improve the lives of others
Documents required
Documents required in the online application for new applicants:
- Completed online application
- Valid Government ID (e.g. International passport, Voter’s Card, National ID or Driver’s License)
- A valid student ID for your host institution (University/College)
- Original JAMB result certificate
- Original Secondary School Certificate (WAEC or NECO)
- A passport photograph
- An official original letter (not photocopied) letter from your school/Head of Department stating the following:
- Your full name
- Department of study
- Course title
- Gender
- Matriculation number
- CGPA
Note: Newly matriculated who have not yet received a matriculation number or school ID must provide a provisional admission letter to their institution of study.
Application deadline
Application deadline for 2025 is not specified.
For more details visit the Jim Ovia foundation website.
