Studying abroad can transform your academic profile, career prospects, and global network. For many Nigerian students, the primary hurdle is funding—tuition, living expenses, insurance, and travel costs add up quickly.
The good news: several fully funded international scholarships cover tuition, monthly stipends, health insurance, visa fees, and airfare.
This guide highlights top fully funded opportunities with strong reputations, high acceptance of African applicants, and robust post-study pathways. You’ll also find eligibility tips, application timelines, and strategies to improve your success rate.
What “Fully Funded” Really Means
- Full tuition waiver for the program duration.
- Monthly living stipend (often indexed to local cost of living).
- Health insurance coverage.
- Travel allowance or round-trip airfare.
- Research or conference grants (for graduate programs).
- Visa fee reimbursements and settling-in allowances.
Always read each program’s benefits to confirm coverage and duration.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students
- Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
- Level: One-year taught Master’s.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, travel, visa fees, and arrival allowance.
- Focus: Future leaders in public policy, business, media, tech, energy, health, and more.
- Eligibility Highlights: Nigerian citizenship, undergraduate degree (2:1 or equivalent recommended), two years’ work experience (can include internships and volunteering).
- Timeline: Applications typically open August and close in early November.
- Tips: Strong leadership evidence, clear career plan for Nigeria, and well-selected referees. Choose three realistic UK programs aligned to your goals.
- Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
- Level: Master’s and PhD.
- Coverage: Tuition, stipends, airfare, thesis grants.
- Focus: Development impact in areas like public health, agriculture, climate, education, and governance.
- Eligibility Highlights: Nigerian citizens eligible under the Commonwealth framework; strong academic performance; development-focused study plan.
- Timeline: Usually opens in the last quarter of the year via nominating agencies.
- Tips: Demonstrate how your research or degree will create measurable impact back home.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (European Union)
- Level: Joint Master’s across multiple European universities.
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel, installation costs, and insurance.
- Focus: Interdisciplinary programs (e.g., data science, renewable energy, public policy, environmental sciences).
- Eligibility Highlights: Bachelor’s degree, competitive GPA, and program-specific requirements.
- Timeline: Deadlines vary by consortium, often between October–January.
- Tips: Apply to multiple EMJMD programs; tailor your motivation letter to each consortium’s unique curriculum and mobility pathway.
- DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- Level: Master’s and PhD.
- Coverage: Tuition-free public universities, monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance, and sometimes language courses.
- Focus: Development-related fields (EPOS), engineering, public policy, sustainable energy, and more.
- Eligibility Highlights: Strong academic record, relevant work experience for development programs, and clear professional objectives.
- Timeline: Program-specific; many deadlines fall between August–October for the following year.
- Tips: For EPOS, emphasize sector experience (e.g., education, health, energy). Learn basic German if your program isn’t fully in English—it strengthens your profile.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program (United States)
- Level: Master’s and PhD.
- Coverage: Tuition, living stipend, health insurance, and airfare.
- Focus: Broad disciplines, strong emphasis on leadership and cultural exchange.
- Eligibility Highlights: Nigerian citizenship, academic excellence, compelling study objective, and strong English proficiency.
- Timeline: Country deadlines vary but typically open in Q1–Q2 for the next academic year.
- Tips: Craft a focused study objective that links to Nigeria’s development priorities. Secure detailed references that show leadership and community impact.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Multiple Partner Universities)
- Level: Undergraduate and Master’s.
- Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, stipends, books, and mentoring.
- Focus: Social impact, leadership, entrepreneurship.
- Eligibility Highlights: Academic merit, financial need, and a proven commitment to giving back.
- Timeline: Depends on partner institutions (e.g., University of Edinburgh, McGill, AUB).
- Tips: Emphasize leadership in community projects and articulate a clear vision for impact in Nigeria.
- ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (Asia-Pacific)
- Level: Master’s degrees at selected universities in Asia and the Pacific.
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly allowance, housing, books, medical insurance, and travel.
- Focus: Economics, management, science and technology, environment, and other development-related fields.
- Eligibility Highlights: Work experience, commitment to development, and strong academic background.
- Timeline: Typically late year to early year, depending on the host university.
- Tips: Show how your future career supports inclusive growth and sustainable development.
- Schwarzman Scholars (Tsinghua University, China)
- Level: One-year Master’s in Global Affairs.
- Coverage: Tuition, room and board, travel, books, health insurance, and stipend.
- Focus: Leadership, public policy, economics, international studies, China’s role in global dynamics.
- Eligibility Highlights: Undergraduate degree, strong leadership record, English proficiency.
- Timeline: Global applicants often apply April–September.
- Tips: Tell a coherent leadership story with concrete achievements and measurable outcomes.
- MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
- Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD.
- Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, and preparatory Japanese language training.
- Focus: STEM, social sciences, humanities, arts.
- Eligibility Highlights: Academic excellence, health requirements, and embassy- or university-recommended tracks.
- Timeline: Embassy track typically opens around April–May.
- Tips: Prepare early for subject tests and interview; highlight cross-cultural adaptability and research readiness.
- New Zealand Manaaki Scholarships
- Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, establishment allowance, insurance, and travel.
- Focus: Priority sectors: climate resilience, renewable energy, agriculture, health systems, and governance.
- Eligibility Highlights: Development impact in your home country; commitment to return.
- Timeline: Usually one annual intake window.
- Tips: Align your study plan with Nigeria’s national development strategies and show a realistic reintegration plan.
- Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
- Level: Taught Master’s and PhD.
- Coverage: Full tuition waiver from the host and a stipend contribution.
- Focus: High-caliber international candidates in priority areas.
- Eligibility Highlights: Outstanding academic track record and clear research or professional goals.
- Timeline: Applications commonly open late year.
- Tips: Contact potential supervisors early if applying for research programs.
- Sweden Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
- Level: Master’s programs in Sweden.
- Coverage: Tuition, living expenses, insurance, and travel.
- Focus: Leadership and sustainable development.
- Eligibility Highlights: Work experience, leadership in civil society or private/public sector, and strong academic record.
- Timeline: Aligns with Sweden’s university admissions (typically January deadline).
- Tips: Demonstrate leadership impact with evidence—metrics, testimonials, or media mentions.
- Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford, UK)
- Level: Master’s/second BA (and DPhil via other Oxford funding).
- Coverage: Full tuition, college fees, annual stipend, and travel.
- Focus: Exceptional academic excellence, leadership, character, and service.
- Eligibility Highlights: Nigerian constituency exists with tailored requirements.
- Timeline: Opens mid-year; interviews in late year.
- Tips: Secure referees who can attest to intellectual distinction and moral force of character. Prepare intensively for the panel interview.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Canada)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these scholarships cover family dependents?
Most fully funded awards cover only the student. A few provide limited dependent support. Check each program’s policy.
Do I need work experience?
Many leadership-focused awards require 1–3 years of experience. Research programs emphasize academic excellence and research fit.
Can HND holders apply?
Some scholarships accept HND plus strong experience or a conversion/top-up. Review each program’s eligibility carefully.
Is IELTS mandatory?
Not always. Some universities accept proof of English from prior study. However, competitive IELTS/TOEFL scores strengthen your application.
After graduation, can I stay and work?
This depends on host-country visa rules (e.g., UK Graduate Route, Canada PGWP, Germany Job Seeker Visa). Scholarships themselves do not guarantee visas beyond study.
Conclusion
Funding should not limit your potential. Whether your goals lie in public health, renewable energy, agriculture, fintech, or education policy, these fully funded scholarships can open doors to world-class training and global networks. Start early, be strategic, and present a clear plan for impact in Nigeria. With preparation and persistence, you can secure a fully funded opportunity and build a career that matters.
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