Ajesola Solarin Majekodunmi (ASMAF) Scholarship 2026: For Women

If you're a bright but financially struggling Nigerian female student dreaming of a professional degree, the Ajesola Solarin Majekodunmi Foundation (ASMAF) Scholarship could be the lifeline that turns that dream into reality. 

Now heading into its 2026/2027 award cycle, this scholarship has already helped launch the careers of nearly two dozen young Nigerian women in fields such as medicine, law, and engineering, and it's seeking its next cohort of scholars. Here's a full breakdown of what the scholarship is, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to expect.

About the ASMAF Scholarship

The Ajesola Solarin Majekodunmi Foundation is a registered Nigerian charitable organisation founded by Professor (Mrs) Ajesola Majekodunmi, a professor of ophthalmology and, notably, the first female medical student ever admitted to the University of Lagos back in 1962. 

Her own journey of breaking barriers in a dominated male field inspired the foundation's guiding motto: "Train a woman and empower mankind." ASMAF exists to close the financial gap that keeps academically gifted but underprivileged young Nigerian women out of professional courses, such as medicine, law, engineering, architecture, accountancy, and actuarial science. 

Since its founding, the foundation has supported and graduated around 17 young women who might otherwise never have had the chance to complete their degrees.

Beyond tuition and upkeep, ASMAF wraps its scholars in a broader support system: leadership training, mentoring, and access to resources designed to build rounded, confident professionals, not just graduates.

What the Scholarship Covers

Here is what the scholarship offers:

• Tuition, accommodation, and living stipends for the duration of the recipient's course of study (historically up to 6 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance)

• Leadership and life competencies development, including structured mentoring

• Access to academic resources and tools that support sustained excellence, not just exam success

The exact monetary value of each award is determined annually and communicated directly to successful finalists.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the ASMAF Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be female and a Nigerian citizen

• Be genuinely indigent (i.e., demonstrate real financial need for the household)

• Be a new entrant into tertiary education; this scholarship is aimed at students just starting, not those switching or repeating programmes

• Have gained admission to, or currently be enrolled in, a fully accredited undergraduate programme at a public Nigerian university, in one of the following professional fields:

  • Medicine

  • Law

  • Engineering

  • Architecture

  • Accountancy

  • Actuarial Science

  • Other recognised professional courses

• Demonstrate strong academic ability and a track record (or clear potential) of excellence

• Show leadership potential and a genuine commitment to using the opportunity well

Applicants will also need supporting documents, typically including:

• Letter of university admission (from JAMB or the institution)

• O-level results (WAEC/NECO/GCE, or equivalent)

• Evidence of success in post UTME screening or the university's own admission process

• An affidavit of indigence confirming financial need

• A referee/recommendation letter (note: relatives are not permitted to serve as recommenders)

• A personal statement

How to Apply

Follow the steps below to successfully apply for the scholarship before the deadline:

• Go to the ASMAF application page at asmaf.org/scholarships.

• Complete the online application form in full; incomplete applications are not considered.

• Upload all required documents:

  • Completed application form

  • Academic transcripts/admission letter

  • Referee letter (relatives may not serve as recommenders)

  • Evidence of credit passes in required subjects (WAEC, NECO, GCE, or equivalent)

  • Evidence of success in post JAMB screening, interview, or other criteria set by the admitting university

  • Evidence of current registration at the university

  • Affidavit of indigence and personal statement

• Submit on or before September 15, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

• Wait to be contacted. ASMAF verifies all eligibility criteria and may contact your recommenders directly. A provisional ranking of applicants is prepared based on course of study, state of origin, and geographical zone of the admitting university, and the final list of successful applicants is determined by available funds; only shortlisted applicants are contacted.

• Respond promptly to any offer. If you're offered a scholarship, you must accept within the timeframe stated in your offer letter, or the offer may lapse.

A few important notes on the process:

• ASMAF's selection decisions are final and binding; there is no appeals process.

• Scholars are expected to submit an annual one page progress report to remain in good standing.

• Recipients may not take up full time work while on the scholarship, and any part time work must not interfere with studies (approval from ASMAF may be required).

• Scholars generally may not hold another scholarship or bursary simultaneously without ASMAF's written approval and cannot switch courses of study without permission.

• The award is not transferable to another student or institution.

Why This Scholarship Matters

Nigeria's professional fields, especially medicine, engineering, and law, remain heavily skewed by gender, and financial hardship is one of the biggest reasons talented young women never make it past admission. 

The ASMAF Scholarship directly targets that gap: it doesn't just pay fees; it invests in leadership development and mentorship so that scholars graduate not only with a degree but also with the confidence and skills to lead in their fields.

If you're an indigent, academically strong Nigerian woman heading into (or already in) a professional undergraduate programme, this is a scholarship worth watching closely in the coming months.