As a Nigerian looking to study abroad, whether at the undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral level, there are many scholarships available for you in different countries. While some of these scholarships are partial, many more are fully funded. Some even cover other things such as health insurance, accommodation, daily expenses, and flight tickets.
Most of these scholarships are open to academically excelling and talented students, as well as those who have shown leadership qualities. Others are open to individuals from developing countries like Nigeria, while others are available for students from indigent homes.
Scholarships Available For Nigerians To Study in Different Countries Abroad
1. United Kingdom (UK)
The United Kingdom is a top study destination for many Nigerians for all the right reasons. First, the country has some of the best universities in the world, and secondly, the visa process is rather straightforward, and it has an enabling environment for Nigerians even after their studies.
There are many available fully funded and partially funded scholarship options in the UK, including the following:
Fully Funded UK Scholarships For Nigerians
- Chevening Scholarships (UK Government): This is a fully funded scholarship that covers everything from tuition to living expenses and travel. It is for master’s studies dedicated to individuals with leadership potential.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: Available for master’s and PhD students, this scholarship is for those in Commonwealth countries, making Nigerians eligible.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship: This is for individuals wanting to study at the master’s and PhD levels. It is available for academically excellent students with leadership potential.
- Reach Oxford Scholarships (Oxford University): This is a fully funded scholarship for undergraduate studies. It is aimed at students from low-income countries like Nigeria.
Partially Funded UK Scholarships Options for Nigerians
- University of Dundee – Global Excellence Scholarships: This scholarship is available for undergraduate and postgraduate students who have shown academic excellence. It offers a tuition reduction by covering anything from £5,000 to £6,000 per year.
- University of Westminster – International Part Fee Scholarships: The eligibility of this scholarship are academic merit and financial need. It offers a tuition fee discount of between £2,000 – £6,000 for students at the undergraduate and master’s levels.
- University of Nottingham – Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship: Although this can offer a full scholarship, there is also partial funding of above 50%. The scholarship is available for African students.
2. Canada
Canada is a great country for Nigerians looking to study abroad because it is one of the countries where you can easily get post-study work visas. Also, it has a great pathway to residency.
Of course, the quality of education in the country is very good, and some of the scholarships you can get to study here are:
Fully Funded Canada Scholarships for Nigerians
- MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program: The scholarship is available for undergraduate and master’s students. Awardees get to study at the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, or McGill University.
- Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program: This scholarship provides full funding for individuals to pursue master’s or doctoral studies in Canada. It is open to students from Commonwealth countries who excel in their academics.
- University of British Columbia (UBC) International Scholars Program: This is a fully funded scholarship available for undergraduate students.
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto): This scholarship is awarded to outstanding students from around the world at the undergraduate level.
Partially Funded Canada Scholarships for Nigerians
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS): This scholarship is open to international students who have demonstrated academic excellence. It offers CAD 15,000 per year (CAD 5,000 per term for a maximum of three terms) for master’s and doctoral studies.
- University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship: This graduate scholarship is available for applicants who have a minimum 80% admission average or equivalent. They must also demonstrate leadership abilities. It is valued at $5,000 per year and can be renewed for four years if the awardee maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0..
3. United States (US)
The United States has many scholarship opportunities for Nigerians, even though the visa process can be burdensome. The immigration policies of the US are becoming more difficult by the day, but once you can get in, it is one of the greatest countries one can relocate to. This is thanks to its many prestigious universities, diverse academic programs, and multicultural setting.
Here are some fully funded scholarships available for a Nigerian to study in the US:
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The scholarship opens doors for international students, including Nigerians with excellent academic records, to have a fully funded education at the master’s and PhD levels.
- Tier One Scholarship – University of Houston: A great scholarship for undergraduates, this is also fully funded with a generous financial assistance package. It is available for high academic achievers.
Partially Funded US Scholarships for Nigerians
- Eastern Illinois University International Student Scholarship: This partial tuition assistance is available for both undergraduate and graduate students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 and 3.25, respectively.
- Western Colorado University – International Merit Scholarships: If you are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at Western Colorado University, this is a partial tuition assistance scholarship that is open to you as a Nigerian and International student.
4. Germany
Germany is a popular study destination among Nigerians and other international students because it offers very affordable and free-tuition education if you want to study in its public universities. Once you are willing to learn German, you are halfway there.
This country is also good for those who may want to remain after studies as it gives you are post-study visa of 18 months. Here are some scholarships for Nigerians to study in Germany:
Fully funded German scholarships for Nigerian students
- EPOS DAAD Program (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses): This Master’s & PhD scholarship comes with monthly stipends, health insurance, and traveling expenses. The focus of the award is sustainable development in developing countries like Nigeria.
- Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships: This is available for students at the Master’s and PhD levels who have consistently maintained excellent grades.
- Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship: Apart from being fully funded, this scholarship gives a monthly stipend of between €850 and €1,200. It also provides for family allowance, if applicable, and health insurance. For one to be eligible, one must have a solid academic background and a strong commitment to social democracy.
Partially funded German scholarships for Nigerian students
- RWTH Aachen University Scholarships: This scholarship is available for students at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. It provides coverage for partial tuition as well as living costs support.
5. Australia
Australia is another friendly country with great scholarship opportunities for Nigerians. The country has an excellent educational system, and the standard of living is top-notch. With great job prospects, Australia gives a post-study visa which is up to 4 years after graduation.
Some scholarships to study in Australia include the following:
- Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS): This fully funded scholarship is available for Master’s and PhD students in Nigeria and some other African countries. It also covers things such as living expenses, return flight ticket, and health insurance.
- Destination Australia Scholarship: For both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, this scholarship covers as much as AUD 15,000 each year for a duration of up to 4 years. It is available for students who study in regional campuses.
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships: This is available for Master’s and PhD. studies. It comes with living stipends and relocation grants.
Partially funded scholarships for Nigerians in Australia:
- Deakin University International Scholarships: The scholarship is available for Undergraduate & Postgraduate studies, providing a waiver of 25% to 50%. It is awarded to students with strong academic performance.
- University of Queensland (UQ) International Scholarships: This is available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD studies. While in some cases students may get full funding for research, most awards cover anything from 25% to 100%.
6. Ireland
Before now, Ireland was not one of the first places to be considered by Nigerians seeking to study abroad. However, it has gained the attention of Nigerians thanks to its friendly immigration policies and good quality of education. The welcoming lifestyle of the country and the fact that it is considered among the safest countries for immigrants also make it a great choice.
Fully funded scholarships available for Nigerians who may want to study in Ireland:
- Government of Ireland – International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES): This is a popular scholarship awarded by the Government of Ireland for international students, including Nigerians, to study at the Master’s and PhD levels. It gives full funding for students in all fields as well as a €10,000 living allowance for one year.
- Irish Aid Fellowships – Africa Fellowship Programme: This is a master’s scholarship that also comes with monthly stipends, travel costs, and health insurance.
- Maynooth University International Scholarships: Bachelor’s & Master’s scholarship, this is available for exceptional students who get to benefit from full sponsorship, while others get partial funding.
Partially funded scholarships for Nigerians in Ireland:
- National University of Ireland Galway (University of Galway) Scholarships: The scholarship offers a coverage of between €2,000 and €4,000 off tuition fees for studies at Undergraduate and Master’s level for students based on academic merit.
- Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) Scholarships: This scholarship also offers awards to students at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. It only offers a €2,000 to €5,000 partial tuition reduction.
7. Malaysia
Malaysia has been attracting Nigerian students because it has a lower cost of living compared to many other European countries. Also, it has a thriving Nigerian community in places like Kuantan, George Town, and Kuala Lumpur because it has continued to attract more and more young people from the country.
With an accessible international education that is of a good standard, Malaysia also has some great scholarship options for Nigerians, including the following:
Fully Funded Scholarships in Malaysia for Nigerians
- Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS): For students at the Master’s and PhD levels, this covers a full scholarship and a monthly allowance that is close to $150. It is for academically excelling students in developing countries.
- MTCP Scholarship (Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme): With full coverage and a monthly allowance of RM 3,500 (~$750), this scholarship is open to students from developing countries who may wish to study at the Master’s level.
Scholarships that are partially funded for Nigerians to study in Malaysia
- University of Malaya (UM) Scholarships: A Master’s & PhD scholarship, this is a partial award that also comes with research assistantship stipends for students to study at the University of Malaysia. It is a merit-based scholarship.
- Asia Pacific University (APU) Scholarships: This covers 50 percent of tuition for studies at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This is another scholarship that is based on academic performance and merit.
8. France
Before now, students from Nigeria avoided France because most courses were taught in French. However, many programs are now offered in the English language, which makes the country a great option. Also, the country has a good culture and a welcoming atmosphere for Nigerians and students from other African countries.
Apart from the scholarship options, which are vast in France, tuition fees in the country are affordable most especially if you target public universities. Here are some scholarship programs available for Nigerians:
Fully Funded Scholarships in France
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship: This is a scholarship funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for Master’s and PhD students who may wish to study in various French Universities in the fields of Engineering, Sciences, Economics & Management, Law, and Political Science..
- École Normale Supérieure (ENS) International Selection: The ENS Scholarship awards outstanding students in Sciences and Humanities with a full scholarship and a grant of €1,000 for 3 years. It covers scholars at the Master’s level.
- Emile Boutmy Scholarship: A scholarship for undergraduate and Master’s studies, this is available for non-EU international students, including Nigerians. It covers as much as €12,200 per year, which is enough to cover tuition and living costs.
Partially Funded Scholarships for Nigerians in France
- Grenoble Ecole de Management Scholarships: This scholarship provides up to 50% tuition coverage for studies for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and MBA programs.
- INSEAD African Scholarships: This MBA-focused scholarship offers a partial scholarship for students with a high academic or professional profile.
9. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is emerging as a new entrant among the favorite study destinations of Nigerian students looking to study abroad.
With its great tourism potential and a welcoming atmosphere even among non-Muslims, the UAE is a great country to study as it boasts of high quality of education. After your studies, the country offers the opportunity of career advancement as it has a fast-growing economy.
Here are some fully funded scholarships for Nigerians to study in the UAE:
- Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) Scholarships: This scholarship is open to international students at master’s and PhD levels. It is for individuals who have a good background in AI-related fields.
- Khalifa University Graduate Scholarships: The Khalifa University Graduate Scholarships are awarded to master’s and PhD students. It covers full tuition, monthly stipends, medical insurance, and much more. To be eligible for the scholarship, one must have outstanding academic records.
- United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Scholarships: This is an undergraduate scholarship that is fully funded for international students who excel in their academics and want to pursue master’s or PhD degrees. It is offered by UAEU for students across multiple disciplines.
Partially funded scholarships for Nigerians to study in the UAE
- Canadian University Dubai Scholarships: This is an undergraduate-level scholarship at the Canadian University Dubai. It pays partial tuition for students who have excelled in education, shown great sports accomplishments, or have financial needs.
- Al Jalila Foundation Scholarships: The Al Jalila Foundation Scholarships are offered to students at postgraduate levels. It provides partial funding for medical and healthcare-related courses.
10. New Zealand
New Zealand is not as popular as other countries on the list, but it has also been identified as a good option for Nigerians wanting to study abroad. The country boasts a high standard of education, and it is also safe and beautiful.
If you are looking to remain in the country after your studies, New Zealand has opportunities for post-study work. Depending on your qualification, you can remain in the country for up to 3 years, and that will offer you a pathway to permanent residency.
Fully funded New Zealand scholarships for Nigerians
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships: This scholarship is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. It is sponsored by the government of New Zealand, and it is aimed at supporting students from developing countries who wish to study in the country.
- William Georgetti Scholarship: While this is a great scholarship, it is only available for those who have resided in New Zealand for at least 5 years before the year of the award. It is for both Master’s and PhD students to support studies aimed at the country’s development.
- University of Otago Doctoral Scholarships: As an international PhD student who has an excellent academic record, you can clinch the fully sponsored scholarship to study at the University of Otago. Apart from the full coverage of your tuition fees, there is also an annual stipend of NZD 27,500 per year.
Partially funded New Zealand scholarships for Nigerians
- Massey Business School International Student Study Awards: With this scholarship, you get up to NZD 2,000 towards your tuition fees as an undergraduate of master’s student. It is targeted at Massey University.
- University of Otago International Partnership Scholarship: The University of Otago International Partnership Scholarship is a partially funded undergraduate scholarship for international students. The award is to encourage international students to study at the University of Otago.
- University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship: This Undergraduate and Postgraduate scholarship gives up to NZD 10,000 towards tuition fees. It is awarded to international students with excellent academic records at the University of Auckland.
Conclusion
There are also many tuition-free institutions abroad where Nigerian students can go and study for free. With so many opportunities for Nigerians to study abroad, all you may need to do as you begin to apply is to ensure you have all the necessary documents needed to study abroad, understand the requirements of each scholarship, and make sure you have met them, and take the time to apply.
