If you have been searching for a “fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students” late at night, hoping for an opportunity that could transform your future, you are not alone. Millions of Nigerian students and other Africans do the same every year, checking websites, saving links, and asking: Is this genuine? Am I eligible? Is it truly fully funded? Is the effort worth it?
Nigerian students have strong access to competitive international scholarships from governments, universities, and organisations in the UK, Germany, the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, and elsewhere. These can cover tuition, living costs, accommodation, travel, and more.
Lack of personal funds does not equal lack of opportunity. What often separates successful applicants is accurate information on legitimate programmes, clear eligibility, what is actually covered, and strong, timely applications.
This guide lists carefully verified fully funded (or near fully funded) opportunities relevant to the 2026/2027 academic year and the following cycle (2027/2028 intakes). It includes eligibility highlights, benefits, typical timelines, and official portals. Always cross check official sites, as dates, stipends, and rules can change. No unverified or questionable schemes are included.
What “Fully Funded” Actually Means
A genuine fully funded scholarship typically covers:
- Full tuition, with no remaining balance
- Monthly stipend or living allowance
- Accommodation or housing support
- Return airfare between Nigeria and the study destination
- Health or medical insurance
Tuition only waivers or partial awards are not full rides. Use this checklist for every opportunity you come across.
DON’T MISS:50 Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians in 2026 (Updated Weekly)
Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students (2026/2027 and 2027/2028 Cycles)
1. Chevening Scholarship (United Kingdom)
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This is a fully funded one year master’s degree at any eligible UK university, in most fields. It covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend, a travel allowance, arrival and departure allowances, return airfare, and visa costs, along with access to a global alumni network of over 60,000 people.
Who qualifies: Nigerian citizens with a UK 2:1 equivalent degree or higher, at least 2,800 hours (roughly two years) of work experience, leadership potential, and a genuine commitment to return to Nigeria for at least two years after studies.
Applications for the 2027/2028 intake opened on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. No late applications are accepted, so start your essays and course choices early.
Official portal: https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/nigeria/
2. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (United Kingdom)
Run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and coordinated in Nigeria via the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB), this plan funds master’s and PhD study for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries, which includes Nigeria.
It covers full tuition, a monthly stipend (currently around £1,712 outside London or £2,000 in the London area, so confirm exact rates each cycle), return airfare, a study travel grant, and other allowances.
Who qualifies: Nigerian citizens or residents. Master’s applicants typically need at least a 2:1, or a lower second plus relevant postgraduate experience. PhD applicants may qualify with a 2:2 in some cases. A commitment to return home is required, and university admission offers, often at least one or two, are usually required or strongly advised. Applications go through both CSC Central and the national nominator, the FSB.
For the 2027/2028 intake, applications open Tuesday 8 September 2026 and close Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. Nominator deadlines may be earlier, and the FSB typically announces its own deadline shortly after. Nominations go to CSC by December 2026, with results expected by July 2027 and study starting September or October 2027.
Official portals: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/ and related PhD pages, along with education.gov.ng and FSB announcements.
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service runs several programmes relevant to Nigerians, including EPOS development related master’s degrees, doctoral funding, in country or in region options across Africa, and STEM tracks. Germany’s public universities often charge little or no tuition, which stretches the funding even further.
Monthly stipends typically sit around €992 for master’s students and in the €1,300 to €1,400 range for doctoral candidates, plus health insurance and travel support, though exact amounts vary by programme.
Deadlines are programme specific. Many fall between August and January for the following intake, and some 2027 calls are already closed while others remain open. Start preparing transcripts, recommendations, and proposals early, since review can take several months.
Official portal: https://www.daad.de/en/ (use the scholarship database filtered for Nigeria).
4. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (United States)
Administered through the US Mission in Nigeria, this programme is primarily a research grant for doctoral or PhD students who are already at least two years into their programme at a Nigerian university or research institute. It is not a full degree seeking master’s or new PhD programme, and master’s students or first degree holders are generally not eligible under the current Nigeria specific configuration.
It covers round trip airfare, a settling in allowance, a monthly stipend, housing, books and supplies, a computer allowance, and health insurance.
Applications typically open around February and close in early to mid year, for example June in the previous cycle. Check the US Embassy Nigeria site for the next window.
Official information: https://ng.usembassy.gov/the-fulbright-foreign-student-program/ and https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/
5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Designed with African students in mind, this programme provides comprehensive support covering tuition, accommodation, meals, books, a laptop, health insurance, mentorship, flights, and leadership development, delivered through partner universities in Africa, Canada, the UK, and elsewhere.
There is a strong emphasis on leadership potential and financial need alongside academics. Applications are made through individual partner universities rather than one central form. Examples include programmes at Cambridge, UBC, University of Pretoria, and Makerere. Deadlines and eligible courses vary by partner and intake, and many 2026/2027 windows have already passed or are closing, so watch for 2027 intakes.
Official overview: https://mastercardfdn.org/all/scholars/ (then follow the partner university links).
6. Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarship
This Nigerian government funded scheme supports undergraduate, master’s, and PhD study in energy related and technical fields, both in country at Nigerian public universities and overseas at partner universities in selected countries.
Fully funded packages typically include tuition, living allowances, and related costs, with exact benefits announced per scheme.
Overseas schemes often open in January and close around February, while in country schemes frequently run from April to June. Watch for the next 2027/2028 announcements.
Official portal: https://ptdf.gov.ng/ or https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng/
7. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology runs this scholarship for undergraduate, research (master’s or PhD), college of technology, and specialised training applicants. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and airfare. Applications for Nigerians are processed through the Embassy of Japan in Abuja.
The typical window runs from April to June for the following year’s intake. The 2027 cycle closed in early June 2026, so prepare for the 2028 cycle around the same period in 2027.
Official portal: the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria website at https://www.ng.emb-japan.go.jp/ and studyinjapan.go.jp.
8. Australia Awards Scholarships
These Australian Government awards fund master’s degrees, and in limited cases PhDs, at Australian universities for citizens of eligible developing countries, including Nigeria. They cover tuition, a living allowance, airfare, and health cover through OSHC.
The focus is on development related fields. For the 2027 intake, applications ran from 1 February to 30 April 2026 and are now closed. The next cycle for the 2028 intake is expected to open in early 2027.
Official portals: https://www.australiaawardsnigeria.org/ or the Australia Awards Africa and DFAT pages.
9. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Funded through China’s Ministry of Education and the China Scholarship Council, this scheme supports undergraduate, master’s, and PhD study at hundreds of Chinese universities. It covers tuition, accommodation, basic insurance, and a monthly stipend of up to around 3,500 RMB at PhD level, with lower amounts for master’s students, so confirm current rates.
Applications typically open late in the year, from December to January, through early the following year, often via the Type A embassy or bilateral route or the Type B university route. Deadlines vary but commonly fall between February and April.
Official portal: https://www.campuschina.org/
10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (European Union)
These fully funded joint master’s programmes are delivered across multiple European universities. They cover tuition, a monthly living allowance, travel, and insurance, making them a strong option for students seeking a multi country experience.
Deadlines are programme specific, with many falling between October and February or March for the following autumn intake. Browse the official catalogue for open calls.
Official catalogue: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en (or the current Erasmus+ equivalent).
How to Apply Successfully
- Gather documents early: transcripts, degree certificates, NYSC discharge or exemption letters, references, your passport, and where needed, English test scores from IELTS or TOEFL, since test slots fill up fast.
- Follow the correct route for each programme: a direct portal for Chevening, a national nominator plus CSC for Commonwealth, an embassy for MEXT or Fulbright, or a partner university for Mastercard Foundation.
- Craft a specific personal statement or development impact essay that links your studies to Nigeria’s needs and your own career plans.
- Secure university admission offers in parallel where required.
- Apply only through official channels, and never pay agents for “guaranteed” slots.
Realistic Application Timeline Guide (Approximate, Always Confirm)
| Scholarship | Typical Opening | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening | Early August | Early October |
| Commonwealth | Early to mid September | Mid to late October |
| DAAD | Programme dependent (often August to January) | Programme dependent |
| Fulbright (Nigeria track) | Around February | Early to mid year (e.g. June) |
| PTDF | January to February (overseas), April to June (in country) | 4 to 6 weeks later |
| MEXT | April to May | May to June |
| Australia Awards | Early February | Late April |
| CSC China | Late year to early next year | February to April (varies) |
| Erasmus Mundus | Autumn or winter | Programme specific (often January to February) |
Treat this as a planning aid only. Dates shift yearly.
Conclusion
There are solid fully funded options for Nigerian students in the current and upcoming cycles, but success depends on early preparation, accurate eligibility matching, and high quality applications rather than volume or luck. Choose two or three programmes that align with your field, background, and goals. Verify every detail on the official websites before applying, and track deadlines carefully.
Start with one strong application, stay organised, and keep going. A fully funded place is achievable with the right preparation. Check the official portals linked above regularly for the latest openings. Good luck.