Top 30 Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students in 2026

Thirty scholarships. Zero tuition. Full living costs covered. This is not a dream list, every single one of these programs has funded Nigerian students before. Find yours.

Let me tell you something about the way most Nigerians search for scholarships. They type “scholarships for Nigerians” into Google, find the same five programs on every website, Chevening, DAAD, Commonwealth, Fulbright, and maybe one more, and either apply for those five or give up entirely because they believe those five are all that exist.

They are wrong. And that misunderstanding is costing them.

There are over 30 legitimate, fully funded scholarship programs that Nigerian students have accessed, won, and used to build extraordinary careers at some of the world’s best universities. Thirty. Not five. Programs that cover your tuition, your accommodation, your feeding, your flight, your health insurance, sometimes your visa fees too. Programs that have turned the dreams of Nigerian students from Lagos slums, from Kaduna villages, from Imo state university campuses, into reality at Oxford, Harvard, Tokyo, Berlin, and beyond.

This post lists all 30. Every single one verified. Every single one has funded Nigerians before. Your job is to find the three to five that fit your profile, and apply.

Before the List: One Thing You Must Understand

A fully funded scholarship is not charity. It is a strategic investment.

When the UK government funds a Nigerian student through Chevening, it is building a future ally in Nigeria’s leadership class. When Germany funds a Nigerian professional through DAAD, it is creating a future partner for German business interests in Africa. When the Mastercard Foundation funds an African undergraduate, it is investing in the continent’s next generation of economic architects.

Understanding this changes how you write your application. You are not begging. You are presenting a return on investment. The committee is not asking “does this person deserve help?” They are asking “will this person generate the impact our investment requires?”

Write your application with that understanding, and watch your success rate change.

The 30 Fully Funded Scholarships

🇬🇧 UK-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

1. Chevening Scholarship

The British government’s flagship international award. One year. Any UK university. Any eligible subject. Full tuition, monthly stipend of approximately £1,347, economy airfare from Nigeria, and visa fees covered.

The requirement that catches most people: two years of paid or voluntary work experience, mandatory, non-negotiable. And IELTS 6.5. Applications open August and close in November every year at chevening.org.

What wins Chevening is not the strongest academic record in the pool. It is the most compelling leadership narrative. Your four essays must tell a coherent story, where you have been, what you have built, where you are going, and why a UK Master’s is the specific bridge between your present and your future.

2. Commonwealth Scholarship

Older than Chevening. In some ways, more prestigious, because it funds both Master’s and PhD programs, and because the academic bar is genuinely high. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission selects scholars who represent the intellectual best of their Commonwealth nations.

Full tuition. Monthly stipend. Airfare. Thesis allowance for PhD students. A study travel grant. And a warm clothing allowance, because they know you are coming from Nigeria.

Apply through the Federal Scholarship Board in Nigeria, not directly. Monitor fsb.gov.ng from August onwards. Deadline is typically December.

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

If Chevening is prestigious, Gates Cambridge is extraordinary. Full funding for any postgraduate program at the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s top three universities. Covers tuition, living costs, airfare, and provides additional discretionary funding for academic activities.

The selection criteria go beyond academic excellence. Gates Cambridge scholars are expected to demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others, through their research, their leadership, or their career trajectory. Nigerian applicants with a clear social impact dimension to their academic work are strong candidates.

Apply through the Cambridge admissions portal at postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/funding/scholarships.

4. Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford)

The oldest international scholarship in the world, established in 1902. Full funding for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Covers course fees, living allowance, and airfare.

Selection is famously holistic. Academic excellence is expected, but the Rhodes Trust is equally interested in character, leadership, and the commitment to a life of service. The Nigeria and West Africa constituency has produced Rhodes Scholars. Nigerian applicants with extraordinary academic records AND documented leadership impact in their communities should apply.

5. GREAT Scholarship

Less famous than Chevening. Less competitive. Still real money at real UK universities.

The GREAT Scholarship is a partnership between the British Council and participating UK universities. Each university offers a minimum of £10,000 toward a one-year Master’s program. Nigeria is an eligible country. Some universities offer more than the minimum, check each institution individually.

Check britishcouncil.org.ng for the current list of participating universities and available subject areas.

🇺🇸 US-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

6. Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship

America’s answer to Chevening. The US Department of State funds Nigerian students for Master’s and PhD programs at American universities. Full coverage, tuition, living stipend, health insurance, and airfare.

Apply through the US Embassy in Abuja, not through universities directly. The Nigerian application cycle typically opens in January. Visit ng.usembassy.gov for current timelines.

The Fulbright essay is your most important document. It should connect your academic goals to a specific, researchable question, and show why the United States is the right environment for pursuing that question.

7. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Over 50,000 African scholars funded since 2012. Partner universities across Africa, the USA, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Full coverage, tuition, accommodation, meals, airfare, books, and a personal allowance.

Women, persons with disabilities, and refugees are prioritized, but any academically exceptional and financially disadvantaged African student can apply. Apply through each partner university individually. Partner institutions include Cornell University, UC Berkeley, University of Edinburgh, Sciences Po, McGill University, and University of Toronto.

Visit mastercardfdn.org for the full partner list.

8. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford)

Stanford’s flagship scholarship. Full funding for any Stanford graduate program, any school, any discipline. Tuition, living stipend, travel, and an extraordinary community of global scholars.

Around 100 scholars are selected annually from a global applicant pool. The competition is intense. But Nigerians have been among the winners. Apply at knight-hennessy.stanford.edu. Deadline typically October.

9. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship

Not a degree program, something more practical. The Humphrey Fellowship funds experienced Nigerian professionals for ten months of non-degree academic study and professional development at US universities.

No dissertation. No coursework exams. Instead: professional attachments, study visits, conferences, and access to the world’s most dynamic professional networks. For mid-career Nigerian professionals in public health, journalism, economic development, law, or education, this is transformative.

Minimum five years of professional experience. Apply through the US Embassy in Abuja. Deadline typically October.

10. AAUW International Fellowship

Women only. Full stop.

The American Association of University Women funds women from outside the USA for graduate study in America. Awards range from $18,000 to $30,000 per year. Available at Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral levels. All fields.

Nigerian women with strong academic records who are pursuing graduate study in the USA should treat this as a mandatory application. Deadline: November. Apply at aauw.org.

🇪🇺 EUROPEAN SCHOLARSHIPS

11. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s

The European Union’s most ambitious scholarship, because it does not just fund a degree at one university. It funds a joint degree taught across two or three European universities simultaneously. You live in multiple countries, earn a jointly awarded qualification, and graduate with an international professional network that spans the continent.

Monthly allowance of approximately €1,000. Full tuition. Travel and installation grants. Health insurance.

Apply to at least five Erasmus programs simultaneously, each has its own selection committee and your chances multiply. Search programs at eacea.ec.europa.eu.

12. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

Germany’s Academic Exchange Service runs one of the world’s most generous scholarship ecosystems. For Nigerian professionals, the most relevant program is EPOS, Development-Related Postgraduate Courses.

Monthly stipend of €934. Full tuition (which is mostly zero anyway at German public universities). Travel allowance. Health insurance. Two years of work experience required. Under 36 years old at application. Apply at daad.de.

13. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

Hungary’s government scholarship is, in the author’s opinion, the most underrated fully funded scholarship available to Nigerian students. Nigeria has a bilateral agreement, dedicated slots reserved specifically for Nigerians every year.

Full tuition. Free dormitory accommodation. Monthly stipend. Health insurance. Available from undergraduate through PhD. No IELTS required. Deadline: January 15 annually. Apply at apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu.

14. Swedish Institute Scholarship (SISGP)

Sweden’s flagship international scholarship. Full tuition at any Swedish university. Monthly living grant of SEK 11,000 (approximately €950). Travel grant. Insurance.

The key requirement that most people do not know: minimum 3,000 hours of documented professional work experience. Not just any work, work that demonstrates leadership and community relevance. Apply at si.se. Deadline: February.

15. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)

France’s government scholarship for exceptional international students. Monthly allowance of €1,181 for Master’s students. €1,400 for PhD candidates. Round-trip airfare. Cultural activities funding.

Fields prioritized: engineering, economics, management, law, political science, natural sciences. Under 30 for Master’s, under 35 for PhD. Apply through French universities, the university nominates candidates to the scholarship committee.

16. Government of Ireland Scholarship

Sixty scholarships. Every year. For outstanding non-EU international students. Full tuition at the Irish university plus €10,000 toward living costs.

Selection is purely academic, the highest-performing applicants from each eligible country. Apply through your chosen Irish higher education institution. Deadline typically April.

17. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

Switzerland, home to ETH Zurich, one of the world’s top five universities. The Swiss government funds postdoctoral researchers and PhD students from eligible countries including Nigeria.

Monthly stipend of CHF 1,920 to CHF 3,500 depending on level. Health insurance. Accommodation subsidy. Requires a completed PhD (for postdoc) or a research host at a Swiss university. Apply through the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria. Deadline: November.

18. Holland Scholarship (Netherlands)

Five thousand euros toward tuition at a Dutch university. Not a full scholarship, but a substantial contribution, combinable with university grants and part-time work. Netherlands is home to excellent universities including Wageningen (ranked #1 globally for agriculture), TU Delft, and the University of Amsterdam.

Apply through your chosen Dutch university alongside your admission application. Deadline: February.

19. Romanian Government Scholarship

Less well-known. Less competitive. Genuinely available.

Romania funds international students from developing countries for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs at Romanian public universities. Free tuition. Free accommodation. Monthly stipend.

Apply through the Romanian Embassy in Abuja. Check studyinromania.gov.ro for current program details.

20. Czech Government Scholarship

The Czech Ministry of Education funds government scholarships for students from developing countries. Free tuition. Monthly stipend. Accommodation support.

Charles University Prague, founded in 1348, one of Europe’s oldest, is among the eligible institutions. Apply through the Czech Embassy in Abuja.

🌏 ASIAN SCHOLARSHIPS

21. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

Japan’s Ministry of Education scholarship. Full tuition. Monthly stipend of ¥117,000 to ¥145,000. Round-trip airfare. Available at undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels.

Apply through the Japanese Embassy in Abuja. Applications typically open April to May. Expect a multi-stage selection process including an examination and interview at the embassy.

22. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

China funds more Nigerian students through scholarships than almost any other government. Full tuition. Accommodation. Monthly stipend. Health insurance.

Apply through the Chinese Embassy in Abuja AND directly through CSC-partner universities. Deadline: March to April. Visit csc.edu.cn.

23. Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP)

South Korea’s Global Korea Scholarship. Full tuition. Monthly stipend. Return airfare. Korean language training. Medical insurance. Settlement allowance.

Available at undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels. Apply through the Korean Embassy in Abuja or through designated Korean universities. Deadline: February to March.

24. ADB–Japan Scholarship

The Asian Development Bank and Japanese government jointly fund this scholarship for students from developing countries, including Nigeria, to pursue postgraduate study at ADB-designated institutions across Asia and the Pacific.

Full tuition. Living allowance. Travel. Health insurance. Strong focus on development-related disciplines. Apply through ADB-designated universities.

25. Taiwan ICDF Scholarship

Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund fully funds Nigerian students for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs at Taiwanese universities.

Tuition covered. Accommodation provided. Monthly stipend. Health insurance. Apply through Taiwan’s ICDF portal at icdf.org.tw. Deadline: March.

🌍 AFRICAN AND GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIPS

26. Türkiye Bursları (Turkey)

Turkey’s government scholarship is one of the most complete packages available anywhere. Tuition. Accommodation. Monthly stipend of $500 to $800. Return airfare. Health insurance. Turkish language training. All in one application.

Available at all academic levels. No IELTS required. Apply at scholarship.tubitak.gov.tr between January and February.

27. African Development Bank Scholarship

The AfDB funds African professionals working in development sectors for postgraduate study at partner institutions. Full coverage. Priority given to women and underrepresented groups.

Minimum three years of professional experience required. Must be employed by a public sector or development organization. Apply through the AfDB scholarship portal.

28. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship

Needs-based funding for outstanding students from developing countries. Provided as a combination of grant and interest-free loan repayable after graduation. All fields. Multiple partner universities globally.

Apply through the Aga Khan Foundation national office. Deadline: March. Visit akdn.org.

29. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship

For Nigerian professionals who cannot relocate for a year. A fully funded UK postgraduate qualification, completed entirely online from Nigeria.

This is the overlooked Commonwealth scholarship. Same funder (UK FCDO), same administration (through Federal Scholarship Board), different delivery. Perfect for working professionals with family obligations. Apply through the Federal Scholarship Board.

30. MasterCard Foundation at African Universities

Beyond the international placements, the Mastercard Foundation funds Nigerian students at top African universities, University of Cape Town, University of Ghana, Ashesi University, African Leadership University, AIMS, and others.

For students who want world-class education without leaving Africa, this is the route. Full funding. Leadership development. A continent-wide alumni network.

Apply through each African partner university individually.

The Master Application Table

How to Choose Your Top 5

Do not apply for all 30. You will spread yourself too thin and submit 30 mediocre applications instead of 5 excellent ones.

Use this framework to choose:

Filter by eligibility first. Check age limits, work experience requirements, IELTS requirements, and academic level. Remove programs you do not qualify for.

Filter by field second. Some scholarships are field-specific. DAAD EPOS funds development-related disciplines. The Schlumberger Foundation funds STEM. Narrow your list to programs that fund your subject.

Filter by deadline third. Map your top candidates against a calendar. Group those with similar deadlines so you can work on multiple applications simultaneously.

What remains is your shortlist. Apply for all of them. Simultaneously. With tailored applications for each one.

The Application Rhythm That Works

Nigerian students who consistently win scholarships do not apply for one at a time. They run parallel applications, working on multiple essays, gathering documents once for all programs simultaneously, and requesting referee letters that cover multiple applications at once.

Here is the rhythm:

The students who win are not smarter than those who do not. They are more organized. More persistent. And more willing to treat scholarship applications as the serious professional project that they are.

Thirty scholarships. Verified. Real. Open to Nigerians.

The information is here. The official websites are listed. The deadlines are mapped. There is nothing between you and a fully funded international education except the decision to begin, and the discipline to follow through.

Pick your five. Check their deadlines. Start today.

Your scholarship is in this list. Go find it.