Studying at a university abroad can be expensive. Tuition fees, accommodation, flights, visa costs, books, health insurance and daily living expenses can quickly become too much for many students. The good news is that there are fully funded scholarships for Nigerians that can cover most or all of these major costs.
The challenge is knowing where to look, how to identify genuine opportunities and what scholarship providers expect from applicants.
This guide explains where Nigerians can find fully funded scholarships to study abroad, the major scholarship programmes worth considering, what they may cover, and practical steps for preparing a strong application.
Important: Scholarship rules, deadlines, eligible courses and funding packages can change from one year to another. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official scholarship or university website before applying.
What Is a Fully Funded Scholarship?
A fully funded scholarship is an education award designed to cover the major costs of studying for an eligible programme.
Depending on the scholarship, funding may include:
- Full or substantial tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Accommodation or a contribution towards accommodation
- Air travel
- Visa-related costs
- Health insurance
- Books or study materials
- Research or academic allowances
- Orientation and other student support
However, “fully funded” does not always mean every personal expense is paid for. Each programme has its own rules. Some scholarships cover tuition and living costs but may have limits on flights, dependants, personal travel or other expenses.
Therefore, Nigerian students should read the official funding terms carefully instead of relying only on social media posts or scholarship blogs.
Where Can Nigerians Find Fully Funded Scholarships?
There are several reliable places to search for international scholarships. The best starting points are official government scholarship websites, university websites, recognised scholarship organisations and established international education programmes.
Here are some of the most important options to investigate.
1. Chevening Scholarships in the UK
Chevening Scholarships are among the best-known fully funded scholarships for Nigerians who want to pursue a master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
Chevening is funded by the UK government and supports emerging leaders from eligible countries. The scholarship is specifically designed for one-year taught master’s degrees in the UK.
For the current 2027–28 cycle, applications for Nigeria are open until 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Because deadlines change each year, applicants should always check the Nigeria page on the official Chevening website.
Chevening funding includes tuition fees, travel, visa-related costs, allowances and a monthly living stipend, subject to the programme’s terms.
One important point is that Chevening is not simply an academic scholarship. The programme looks for people who can demonstrate leadership, influence, professional experience and a realistic plan for creating positive change.
The official eligibility requirements currently include an undergraduate degree that qualifies the applicant for a UK master’s programme, at least two years of work experience equivalent to 2,800 hours, and a commitment to return to the country of award for at least two years after the scholarship.
Best for: Nigerian graduates and professionals seeking a fully funded UK master’s degree.
Where to apply: Use the official Chevening website and select Nigeria.
2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Another excellent option is the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, which is designed for students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
Nigeria is included among the eligible countries. The programme supports full-time taught master’s study at participating UK universities and is aimed at talented applicants who may otherwise be unable to afford postgraduate study in the UK.
The scholarship focuses on development-related themes and looks for candidates whose education can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
For the 2027–28 academic year, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission states that applications are scheduled to open on 8 September 2026 and close on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
The application process can involve a nominating agency, so applicants should carefully follow the instructions for their country and scholarship route.
There are also Commonwealth Shared Scholarships at selected UK universities. These are offered for specific master’s courses and are jointly supported by the UK government and participating universities. Nigeria is listed among the eligible countries.
Best for: Nigerians looking for master’s scholarships connected to development, public policy, health, education, technology and other areas relevant to national development.
Where to apply: Check the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
If you are looking for fully funded master’s scholarships in Europe, Erasmus Mundus should be on your list.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programmes delivered by groups of universities. Students may study in more than one country during the programme.
The programme is open to students from around the world, and selected master’s programmes offer full scholarships to highly ranked applicants. Depending on the scholarship and programme, funding can contribute to participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.
One advantage of Erasmus Mundus is the variety of subjects available. Instead of applying to one central university for one standard scholarship, students search the catalogue for suitable master’s programmes and apply directly to the consortium running the programme.
In many cases, applications for programmes starting the following academic year are submitted between October and January, although the exact deadline depends on the individual master’s programme.
This makes early preparation particularly important.
You may need academic transcripts, references, a CV, a motivation letter and evidence of language proficiency, depending on the programme.
Best for: Nigerian graduates interested in studying in Europe and potentially experiencing more than one European country during their master’s programme.
Where to search: Visit the official Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters page and search the programme catalogue.
4. DAAD Scholarships for Study in Germany
Germany is another important destination for Nigerian students searching for international scholarships.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) operates a scholarship database containing funding opportunities for international students and researchers. The database allows applicants to search according to country, academic level, subject and scholarship purpose.
This is important because there is no single DAAD scholarship that fits every Nigerian applicant.
Different programmes have different eligibility requirements, funding packages, academic requirements and deadlines. Some are intended for graduates, some for doctoral candidates and others for specific academic fields.
Therefore, when searching for DAAD scholarships for Nigerians, do not assume that every opportunity in the database is fully funded or that every scholarship is available to Nigerian applicants.
Read the individual programme description carefully and confirm the current conditions before applying.
Best for: Nigerian graduates, researchers and postgraduate applicants interested in Germany.
Where to search: Use the official DAAD Scholarship Database.
5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is another major scholarship opportunity for talented young Africans who face financial or other barriers to higher education.
The programme operates through partner universities and organisations. It can provide financial, academic and social support, including tuition, accommodation, academic materials, mentoring, counselling, leadership development and, where necessary, return travel.
One important difference is that there is no single application form for every Mastercard Foundation scholarship.
Instead, applicants apply through participating universities or organisations. Each partner sets its own eligibility requirements, application process and deadline.
This means Nigerian students should not send money to individuals claiming to be Mastercard Foundation agents.
The Foundation specifically warns about fraudulent social media posts requesting application fees or payments.
The programme supports secondary, undergraduate and master’s education, although it does not currently offer scholarships for PhD candidates.
There are also opportunities involving Nigerian institutions. For example, Pan-Atlantic University became a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partner in 2025, with a long-term commitment to support scholars.
Best for: Young Nigerians seeking undergraduate or master’s opportunities through participating institutions.
Where to search: Visit the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page.
How to Find More Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians
You do not have to depend on one scholarship programme.
A better strategy is to build a list of several possible opportunities and check each one against your academic background, course and career goals.
Start With Your Study Level
The scholarship you should search for depends heavily on your level of education.
For example:
- Undergraduate students: Look at university-specific scholarships and programmes such as Mastercard Foundation opportunities.
- Master’s applicants: Explore Chevening, Commonwealth, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD and university scholarships.
- PhD applicants: Search university-funded doctoral positions, research grants and scholarships designed specifically for doctoral researchers.
- Researchers and professionals: Consider fellowship and research funding programmes in addition to traditional scholarships.
Searching according to your academic level makes it easier to avoid wasting time on scholarships you cannot use.
Search by Your Course
Do not search only for “fully funded scholarships for Nigerians.”
Add your field of study.
For example, try searches such as:
- Fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students in public health
- Fully funded engineering scholarships for Nigerians
- Fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students in computer science
- Fully funded MBA scholarships for Nigerians
- Fully funded postgraduate scholarships for Nigerians
- Fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students in education
Universities and scholarship providers often fund specific academic fields, so a course-specific search can uncover opportunities that a general search may miss.
Check University Scholarship Pages
Many students make the mistake of searching only for large government scholarships.
Universities themselves can offer full or substantial funding.
When you find a university that offers your preferred course, visit its official website and search for:
Scholarships + international students + your course
Also check the department or faculty page. Funding opportunities are sometimes listed by individual departments rather than on the university’s main scholarship page.
For PhD applicants, this can be especially useful because research funding may be connected to a specific supervisor, research project or academic department.
How to Know if a Scholarship Is Genuine
Scholarship scams are a serious concern because scammers know that students are actively searching for funding.
Use these simple checks before submitting personal documents or paying money.
1. Check the Official Website
A genuine scholarship should have information on an official organisation, government, university or recognised education provider website.
Do not rely solely on WhatsApp messages, Facebook posts, Telegram groups or forwarded emails.
2. Be Careful With “Guaranteed Scholarship” Claims
No legitimate scholarship can guarantee that an applicant will be selected simply because they pay an agent.
Selection is normally competitive and based on eligibility, academic records, experience, leadership, personal statements, research proposals or other criteria.
3. Do Not Pay for a Scholarship Award
Some legitimate universities charge application fees for admission. That is different from paying someone to “secure” a scholarship.
For example, the Mastercard Foundation warns that it does not solicit funding from individuals and says applicants should be cautious about people advertising recruitment while requesting application fees.
4. Check the Deadline Yourself
A social media post may contain an old deadline.
Always open the official scholarship page and confirm whether the application is currently open.
This is particularly important because scholarship deadlines can change every year.
Documents to Prepare Before Applying
Preparing your documents early can make the application process much easier.
Common requirements include:
- International passport or valid identification
- University certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Personal statement
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of work experience, where required
- English-language test results, where required
- Research proposal for some postgraduate programmes
- Evidence of leadership, volunteering or community involvement
Keep your academic documents organised in clearly named digital files.
You should also maintain an updated CV rather than creating a new one from scratch every time you find a scholarship.
How to Make Your Scholarship Application Stronger
A strong scholarship application is more than a list of good grades.
Scholarship committees often want to understand who you are, what you have achieved, what problem you want to solve and why the scholarship matters to your future plans.
When writing your personal statement, avoid simply saying that you want to study abroad because education is expensive in Nigeria.
Explain your academic and professional goals.
For example, if you are applying for public health, explain the public health problem you want to address, how your previous experience connects to that problem and how the proposed programme will give you useful skills.
If the scholarship values leadership, give real examples.
Instead of writing, “I am a great leader,” explain what you did, who benefited and what changed as a result.
Use specific evidence whenever possible.
Apply Early and Keep a Scholarship Calendar
One of the easiest ways to miss a fully funded scholarship is to discover it after the deadline.
Create a simple scholarship calendar containing:
| Scholarship | Country | Level | Opening Date | Deadline | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Master’s | Varies | Varies | CV, references, essays |
| Commonwealth | UK | Master’s | Varies | Varies | Academic and supporting documents |
| Erasmus Mundus | Europe | Master’s | Varies | Often Oct–Jan | Programme-specific |
| DAAD | Germany | Various | Varies | Programme-specific | Programme-specific |
| Mastercard Foundation | Various | Undergraduate/Master’s | Varies | Partner-specific | Partner-specific |
Do not treat the dates in this table as permanent. Use it as a planning framework and verify the latest dates on each official website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians
Which fully funded scholarships are available to Nigerians?
Popular programmes to investigate include Chevening, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, selected DAAD programmes and Mastercard Foundation Scholars opportunities. Eligibility and funding vary by programme.
Can Nigerians get fully funded scholarships to study abroad?
Yes. Nigerians are eligible for a range of international scholarship programmes. However, eligibility depends on the individual scholarship’s requirements, academic level, course, country and other conditions.
What is the best scholarship for Nigerian students?
There is no single best scholarship for everyone. A master’s applicant with professional experience may be better suited to Chevening, while another applicant may find Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth, DAAD or a university-specific scholarship more appropriate.
Can I get a fully funded undergraduate scholarship?
Yes, although undergraduate funding can be more limited and highly competitive. University-specific awards and programmes such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program are worth researching.
Are fully funded scholarships really free?
A fully funded scholarship can cover major education and living expenses, but the exact benefits differ. Read the official award terms carefully to understand what is included and what you may still need to pay for.
When should I start applying for scholarships?
Start several months before the expected deadline. This gives you enough time to research eligible programmes, obtain references, prepare essays, gather academic documents and correct mistakes before submitting your application.
How can I avoid scholarship scams?
Use official government, university and scholarship-provider websites. Be suspicious of anyone promising guaranteed selection or demanding money to secure a scholarship. Verify every deadline and application instruction independently before submitting your documents or payment.