Partially funded

NOUN ACETEL Scholarship

National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

Scholarship overview

The Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) runs this scholarship, which began in 2020. It funds postgraduate study (Masters and Doctorate) and short professional ICT courses for qualified Africans.

The stated aims are to build digital literacy, improve the quality of STEM education and widen access to postgraduate and professional development. Recipients are expected to contribute to development in their home countries.

Masters and PhD awards are offered in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Management Information Systems. Short courses include Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Open Government Data, Database Management, Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, English for non-English speakers, Digital Literacy, Cyber Security, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Project Management, Learning Technology and programming (C, Python, Java and others).

Awards are competitive and decided by a selection committee. As an open and distance learning institution, ACETEL also provides or facilitates laptops, data, virtual laboratory and library access, flexible study schedules (especially for women) and on-demand examinations that can be taken from home.

Award Information

  • Citizen of an African country.
  • A clear vision of how the training will support reform in the applicant's home country.
  • Satisfactory English or French proficiency.
  • Able to meet Nigerian Government student visa requirements.
  • Short courses: at least five O'Level credits, including English or French.
  • MSc: at least Second Class Upper (2.1) in the first degree or equivalent, plus five O'Level credits including English or French.
  • PhD: at least a 2.1 in the first degree (or equivalent), a CGPA of 4.5 at MSc level, five O'Level credits including English or French, and a research proposal of no more than five pages (topic, introduction, objectives, methodology, data collection mode).
  • Special consideration for the West African sub-region (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo).
  • Women are strongly encouraged and receive priority; ACETEL aims for equal female and male participation.
  • Public sector, private sector and NGO/civil society professionals are targeted; persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply; qualified inmates are eligible.
  • Masters: budget valued at $3,000 (duration three semesters).
  • Doctorate: budget valued at $4,000 (duration six semesters).
  • Short courses: budget valued at $100 (duration varies with the course).
  • Funds may be used only for registration, examinations, research, publication, data and laptops.
  • Awards are provided annually and cannot extend beyond the course duration. Recipients must finish within the programme's minimum period and keep a CGPA of 4.5 or above.

The application window is 30 days (one month), but the page gives no opening or closing dates or year. Applications are acknowledged on submission and decisions are emailed within one month of the closing date.

  1. Go to the ACETEL website (acetel.nou.edu.ng/scholarship).
  2. Select Scholarship and click Apply Now.
  3. Choose Masters, Doctorate or Short Courses.
  4. Read the eligibility criteria carefully.
  5. Request the application form online.
  6. Complete your details, upload documents and submit. Everything is done online only.
  7. Wait for an acknowledgement sent to your email; the decision follows by email.

The page contains a link to an IP address and one to another site, so confirm you are using the official ACETEL portal.

Official links

Documents you will need

  • Scanned copies of all relevant academic documents, uploaded with the online form.
  • Full academic transcripts and any relevant publications.
  • PhD: research proposal of up to five pages.
  • Masters: statement of purpose of up to 500 words on why you want to study and the expected national development impact.

How selection works

A selection committee assesses academic merit (quality of degrees, transcripts and publications), plus the viability of the research plan for PhD applicants and the statement of purpose for Masters applicants. Awards are described as highly competitive.

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