Scholarships for Nigerians to Study Abroad 2026
Fully-funded and partial scholarships available to Nigerian students for international study
Fully-Funded Scholarships
| Scholarship | Country | Level | Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Masters | Full tuition, flights, living allowance | Nov each year |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | UK | Masters/PhD | Full tuition, flights, stipend | Dec each year |
| DAAD | Germany | Masters/PhD | Monthly stipend EUR 934-1,300, insurance, travel | Oct-Nov |
| Fulbright | USA | Masters/PhD | Full tuition, living, flights, insurance | Feb each year |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Masters/PhD | Full tuition, living, flights, insurance | Apr-May |
| Aga Khan Foundation | Various | Masters | Tuition + living (50% grant, 50% loan) | Mar each year |
| MasterCard Foundation (U of Toronto) | Canada | Undergraduate/Masters | Full tuition, living, travel | Varies |
| Joint Japan World Bank | Various | Masters | Full tuition, living, flights | Apr each year |
| Erasmus Mundus | EU (multiple) | Masters/Joint | Tuition, travel, living EUR 1,400/mo | Oct-Jan |
| Gates Cambridge | UK (Cambridge) | Masters/PhD | Full tuition, maintenance, flights | Oct/Dec |
Nigerian Government Scholarships
| Programme | For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Government Scholarship (BEA) | Undergraduate/Postgraduate abroad | Bilateral Education Agreement scholarships via Nigerian embassies |
| PTDF Scholarship | Oil & gas, engineering students | Petroleum Technology Development Fund; UK, Germany, France, China, Malaysia |
| State Government Scholarships | Indigenes of specific states | Check your state's scholarship board |
| NNPC/Total Scholarship | Science/Engineering undergrads | For Nigerian universities but some international components |
Tips for Winning Scholarships
- Start early: Most deadlines are 6-12 months before the programme starts
- Strong personal statement: Show leadership, community impact, and clear career goals
- Academic excellence: Aim for Second Class Upper (2:1) or First Class; minimum 3.0 GPA
- IELTS/TOEFL: Take the test early and aim for scores above the minimum (IELTS 7.0+ is competitive)
- References: Get strong academic and professional references. Brief your referees on the scholarship criteria
- Apply to multiple: Don't rely on one scholarship. Apply to at least 5-10 opportunities
- Avoid scams: Legitimate scholarships never ask for upfront payments. Apply only through official websites
- Community involvement: Most scholarships value leadership and community service experience
FAQ
Chevening (UK) has a relatively high acceptance rate for Nigerian applicants and values leadership and work experience over purely academic metrics. The DAAD (Germany) is also relatively accessible. Erasmus Mundus accepts many Nigerians annually. The key is applying to multiple scholarships and having strong essays.
It depends on the scholarship and country. Most student visas allow part-time work (20 hours/week). Some scholarships (like Fulbright) restrict employment. Chevening scholars can work part-time. Always check the specific terms of your scholarship and visa conditions.