Let me be honest with you. When I first started searching for scholarships as a Nigerian student, I felt invisible. Every opportunity seemed to be for “international students,” but deep down, I wondered if that really included someone from Lagos who couldn’t afford the application fee, let alone the flight. Then I discovered these six programs.
Here are six generous, fully-funded scholarships that have sent hundreds of Nigerians abroad. They are not secrets. They are not hidden. They are just waiting for the right application.
1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
The United Kingdom’s flagship scholarship program. Chevening offers fully funded one‑year master’s degrees at any UK university to aspiring leaders worldwide, including Nigeria.
What is covered: Full tuition fees, monthly living allowance, return airfare to and from the UK, and additional grants for essential expenditures.
Requirements: You must be a Nigerian citizen, have a strong academic background (typically a second‑class upper or higher), at least two years of work experience, and a clear career plan demonstrating leadership potential. You must also commit to returning to Nigeria for at least two years after your award ends.
Application Period: The application window for 2025/2026 opened on August 5 and closed on October 7, 2025. Since its inception in 1983, over 1,500 Nigerians have been awarded the Chevening scholarship.
Samson’s Tip: Start preparing your essays now for the next cycle. Chevening is not about your grades alone—they want to see how you have already started creating positive change in your community. Do not wait until the application opens to begin writing.
Official Site: chevening.org
2. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), these scholarships are aimed at talented individuals who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
What is covered: Full tuition fee discount, living stipend, and return airfare to and from the UK. PhD scholarships typically cover tuition and a stipend for three years.
Requirements: You must be a Nigerian citizen, hold a first degree at least at the upper second class (2:1) level, and be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship. For PhD scholarships, you must apply to specific eligible programs at UK universities.
Application Period: Master’s and PhD applications for the 2026/27 academic year close on 14 October 2025. Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for master’s study close on 15 January 2026.
Samson’s Tip: Nigerians must apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission portal, not directly to universities, unless instructed otherwise. Also, the Commonwealth has a “Shared Scholarship” scheme where specific UK universities partner with them—check if your target university is on that list.
Official Site: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides numerous fully‑funded opportunities for Nigerian students to study in Germany and other countries. Hundreds of Nigerian students benefit from DAAD programs each year for undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and research studies.
What is covered: Tuition (most German public universities have no tuition fees), a monthly stipend of approximately €934, health insurance, travel allowance, and mobility support. Some DAAD scholarships also provide study and research grants.
Requirements: Vary by program, but generally you need a good academic record, at least two years of professional experience for many development‑related courses, and a clear study plan. For the EPOS scholarship, work experience is mandatory.
Application Period: Deadlines vary by program, but many master’s programs have application windows between August and October for the following academic year.
Samson’s Tip: DAAD offers both “In-Region” scholarships (studying within Africa, such as at Stellenbosch University in South Africa) and “EPOS” scholarships (studying in Germany). A Nigerian scholar named Kosisochukwu won the DAAD In‑Region Master’s Scholarship to study Molecular Biology at Stellenbosch—fully funded. Another Nigerian economist, Omobolanle, won the DAAD EPOS Scholarship to study at the University of Göttingen in Germany.
Official Site: daad.ng
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programme (EU)
The European Union’s flagship education initiative. Nigeria retains its position as Africa’s leading recipient of Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
What is covered: Fully funded scholarships covering tuition, travel, insurance, and living costs. In the 2025‑2026 academic year, 104 Nigerian students secured these scholarships, with 83 (about 80 per cent) receiving full funding.
Requirements: You must hold a bachelor’s degree and apply to one of the specific Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programmes. Each programme has its own eligibility criteria. Over 15,000 applications are received globally each year, so competition is high.
Application Period: Varies by programme, but most open around October and close between January and March.
Samson’s Tip: Since 2014, more than 800 Nigerians have benefited from Erasmus scholarships, with over 600 awarded in the last four years alone. Nigeria is the top African country for Erasmus and ranks among the global top five alongside India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Mexico. Apply early and tailor your application to the specific joint programme you are targeting.
Official Site: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
This program provides comprehensive scholarships to academically talented Nigerian students who face economic barriers. The goal is to develop leaders who will drive positive social change in their communities.
What is covered: Full tuition, meals and housing, books and learning materials, transportation and daily needs, health insurance, a laptop, mentoring, leadership training, and internship opportunities before graduation.
Requirements: You must be a Nigerian citizen with a minimum of five credits in WAEC/NECO (including Math or English), a JAMB score of at least 220, proven financial need, demonstrated leadership or community service, and strong moral character. Special consideration is given to young women in STEM, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.
Application Period: Varies by partner university. At Pan‑Atlantic University (PAU), applications for 2025/2026 closed on June 30, 2025. Other partner universities have different deadlines, so check individual university websites.
Samson’s Tip: The program partners with universities worldwide, including the University of Edinburgh (UK), McGill University (Canada), and the University of California, Berkeley (USA). This is not just a scholarship—it is a leadership development program. Your community service and leadership experience matter as much as your grades.
Official Site: mastercardfdn.org/all-scholarships/
6. GREAT Scholarships (UK)
The GREAT Scholarships campaign, jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign and the British Council, offers substantial financial support for Nigerian students to study at top UK universities.
What is covered: At the University of Warwick, one award of £15,000 is offered for a Nigerian student pursuing a taught master’s course beginning in September 2026. At Edinburgh Napier University, a partial scholarship of £10,000 is available for one Nigerian student starting a master’s course in September 2026.
Requirements: You must be a Nigerian national residing in Nigeria, assessed as an international student for fee purposes, have applied to a taught master’s course at the partner university, achieved or be expecting to achieve the equivalent of a high 2:1 degree (68%+), and have received a conditional or unconditional offer. You must also be able to cover the remaining tuition fees and living expenses.
Application Period: At Warwick, applications open on 15 December 2025 and close on 22 April 2026 at 11:59pm UK local time.
Samson’s Tip: Successful candidates are expected to be active in their field, act as ambassadors for UK higher education, and, upon returning to Nigeria, contribute to capacity‑building and socio‑economic advancement. Do not just apply for the money—apply because you genuinely want to be a bridge between the UK and Nigeria.
Official Site: warwick.ac.uk (or check the GREAT Scholarships page on the British Council website)
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Your Next Step
You do not need to apply to all six. Pick one. Open the official website. Read the eligibility requirements. Spend 15 minutes understanding what they want. Tomorrow, open another. The scholarships are there. The question is: will you take the first step?
You can do this. Many Nigerians before you have, and you will too. From my corner to yours – safe journey.
— Samson (founder, Study Discovery)
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