For many Nigerian students, pursuing higher education, either at home or abroad comes with the heavy burden of tuition fees, living costs, and academic expenses. Yet, the good news is that several scholarships exist to ease this financial load.
These opportunities range from fully funded international awards to local support schemes, and knowing about them can make all the difference in your academic journey.
Below are some of the most important scholarships every Nigerian student should be aware of.
Commonwealth Scholarship
The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the most popular international awards for Nigerian students. Funded by the UK government, it provides full financial support, covering tuition, airfare, and living expenses for postgraduate studies. It is especially designed for students who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to contributing to their home country after graduation.
Link:https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships
Chevening Scholarship
Also UK-based, the Chevening Scholarship offers fully funded opportunities for future leaders to study a one-year master’s degree. Beyond the funding, Chevening is highly valued for its global networking benefits, giving scholars access to professionals and alumni across various fields worldwide.
Link:https://www.chevening.org/scholarships
Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship focuses on providing access to quality education for academically talented but financially disadvantaged students. Several partner universities in Africa, Europe, and North America participate, offering fully funded undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities. Nigerian students with a strong academic record and leadership potential should pay close attention to this scheme.
Link:https://mastercardfdn.org/en/what-we-do/our-programs/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program
PTDF Scholarship (Petroleum Technology Development Fund)
The Nigerian government funds the PTDF scholarship to train students in oil and gas-related fields. It covers both local and overseas studies, particularly postgraduate programmes. Given Nigeria’s energy sector, this scholarship remains one of the most competitive and prestigious in the country.
Link:https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng
Total Energies Merit Scholarship Scheme
The Total Energies Merit Scholarship Scheme is a corporate social responsibility initiative that supports undergraduate students in Nigerian universities. With annual financial grants, it helps reduce the financial stress of tuition and living expenses for students across different fields.
Link:https://csr-ngscholarship.totalenergies.com
Agbami Medical and Engineering Scholarship
This award, sponsored by the Agbami partners (including Chevron), focuses on students studying medicine, engineering, and other related disciplines. It is aimed at developing critical manpower in Nigeria’s health and technical sectors.
Link:https://www.scholarafrika.com/agbami-scholarship
DAAD Scholarship
Germany’s DAAD Scholarship remains a strong attraction for Nigerians pursuing postgraduate education. Offering fully funded support for master’s and PhD programmes, it is especially popular with students in STEM fields and social sciences.
Link:https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
This European Union initiative allows students to pursue joint master’s degrees across multiple universities in Europe. Nigerian students selected for the Erasmus Mundus programme enjoy fully funded tuition, travel costs, and living stipends while gaining international exposure across two or more countries.
Link:https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters
State and University Scholarships
Many Nigerian states also run their own scholarship boards, offering support to indigenes studying at home and abroad. Similarly, top universities both in Nigeria and internationally often provide partial or full scholarships to outstanding students, especially those with excellent grades or unique talents.