Scholarships for Nigerian students

Scholarships, bursaries, student loans and fellowships open to Nigerian students, reviewed before they reach this page.

Last updated: Friday 4 September 2026

  • Where a closing date has been published, it is shown, and the item comes off once that date has passed.
  • Where no closing date is shown, the scheme had not published one when it was checked.
  • Always confirm on the official page before you pay anything or send documents.

Funding with a closing date

Apply before the date shown.

Chevening 2027/28 applications open 4 August 2026

Closes 6 October 2026

Chevening pays for a one-year Master's in the UK. Applications open on 4 August 2026 at 11am UTC and close on 6 October 2026 at 11am UTC. That is the hard close – the system shuts. Start the form early, because it asks for three course choices and two years of references.

Chevening timelineUK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeOfficial source

Nigerian schemes and student funding

Government, corporate and loan schemes for students studying in Nigeria.

PTDF scholarship: know the rules before the next call opens

No closing date given

The PTDF 2026/2027 overseas scholarship closed on 5 June 2026, so this cycle is finished. For the undergraduate scheme you must be in 200 level, hold a CGPA of at least 2.4 out of 5.0, and have five credits including English and Mathematics. Meet those now so you are ready when the next call opens.

PTDF scholarship guidelinesPetroleum Technology Development FundOfficial source

MTN Foundation Scholarship: ₦300,000 a year until you graduate

No closing date given

MTN Foundation is running its 2026 scholarship. It pays ₦300,000 a year until graduation and takes 400 students across three schemes. Read the eligibility on the MTN page and apply directly there. MTN never charges an application fee.

MTN Foundation scholarshipsMTN NigeriaOfficial source

How to start your NELFUND student loan application

No closing date given

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund covers tuition for students in government universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. There are three steps: confirm you are Nigerian, verify your school details, then verify with JAMB. The whole thing takes 15 to 30 minutes. The loan carries no interest and there is no closing date, so you can apply at any point in your programme.

NELFUND application portalNigerian Education Loan FundOfficial source

NELFUND loan: what it covers and when you repay

No closing date given

The loan pays your institutional fees and gives an upkeep allowance. It carries no interest, but it is a loan and you do repay it. Repayment starts two years after you finish NYSC. Once you are earning, 10 per cent of your monthly salary is deducted at source until it is cleared. Read the terms before you sign.

NELFUND terms and conditionsNigerian Education Loan FundOfficial source

What Chevening asks for: 2,800 hours and 3 course choices

No closing date given

You need a degree good enough for a UK Master's, and at least 2,800 hours of work experience – that is roughly two years full time, and internships and volunteering count. You choose three different courses and you must return to Nigeria for two years after the scholarship. Read the full eligibility page before you start.

Chevening eligibilityUK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeOfficial source

PTDF overseas scholarship: what you need to qualify

No closing date given

PTDF sends Nigerians for Master's and PhD study in the UK, Germany, France and Malaysia. The 2026 round closed on 27 February, so this is for the next one. Read the scheme notice now so you have your degree certificate, transcript and NYSC discharge ready when it reopens.

PTDF overseas schemePetroleum Technology Development FundOfficial source

TETFund will pay for your Masters or PhD if you lecture

No closing date given

TETFund's academic staff training scheme pays for Master's and PhD study for lecturers in federal and state tertiary institutions. Your institution nominates you – you do not apply directly to TETFund. Read the guidelines and take them to your school's TETFund desk officer.

TETFund intervention guidelinesTertiary Education Trust FundOfficial source

Chevron confirms the Agbami scholarship is still running

No closing date given

Chevron's Nigeria page confirms it runs the Agbami Medical and Engineering Professionals scholarship and that more than 16,000 students have benefited. There is no application link on that page at the moment, so watch it for the next opening rather than trusting any other site claiming to take applications.

Chevron NigeriaChevron Nigeria LimitedOfficial source

Federal scholarship grants raised by 50 per cent

No closing date given

The Federal Scholarship Board has increased its award amounts. Undergraduate grants rise from ₦300,000 to ₦450,000. Master's grants rise from ₦400,000 to ₦600,000. PhD grants rise from ₦500,000 to ₦750,000. Watch the Federal Ministry of Education page for when the next call opens.

Federal Scholarship BoardFederal Scholarships BoardOfficial source

PTDF publishes 2026/2027 scholarship award list

No closing date given

PTDF has published the list of candidates awarded UK split-site and Germany, France and Malaysia strategic partnership scholarships for Master's and PhD study. If you applied in the last round, check your name on the official list rather than on social media.

PTDF award listPetroleum Technology Development FundOfficial source

Fembol Student Innovation Grant (SIG) 2.0 (up to ₦10M in funding)

No closing date given

Deadline: August 21, 2026 Applications are open for the Fembol Student Innovation Grant (SIG) 2.0. The Fembol Student Innovation Grant (SIG) is an annual student innovation competition and funding program by Fembol Group, designed to identify, support, and fund innovative student-led solutions across Nigeria. SIG 2.0 i

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2026 Rebecca Charles Trust Scholarship For Nigerians: Fully Funded

No closing date given

The Rebecca Charles Trust (RCT) is inviting applications for its 2026 scholarship opportunity for Nigerian undergraduates. The Rebecca Charles Trust Scholarship provides full tuition, monthly stipends, and mentorship to talented Nigeria students to achieve their academic and personal goals. In this post, we will discus

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Study abroad, fellowships and research funding

Funded study outside Nigeria. Check the eligibility rules before you spend time on an application.

ACU Stipend Scholarship in Australia (Australia Catholic University) Fully Funded

No closing date given

The Australia Catholic University (ACU) has called for applications for the 2027 Stipend Scholarships for domestic and international candidates. The ACU Stipend Scholarships covers a full fee of $34,728 for tuition, a living stipend of $34,315, as well as overseas health insurance. This post covers the full details of

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2026/27 Swansea University Research Scholarship in UK Fully Funded

No closing date given

The Swansea University in the United Kingdom (UK) is pleased to welcome applications for its 2026/27 Research Scholarships for international students interested and qualified to study in the UK. The Swansea University Research Scholarships is a fully funded award that covers tuition fees, a £21,805 annual living stipen

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AI Societal Impact Lab Fellowship 2026

No closing date given

Deadline: September 4, 2026 Applications are open for the AI Societal Impact Lab Fellowship 2026. The Fellowship is designed to bring out emerging voices working on socio-political implications of emerging AI technology. It will be run remotely for approx. 8-10 weeks starting in mid/late September 2026. They anticipate

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ICANN Fellowship Program 2026 (Funded)

No closing date given

Deadline: August 21, 2026 Applications are open for the ICANN Fellowship Program 2026. The goal of the ICANN Fellowship Program is to strengthen the representation of the multistakeholder model by fostering opportunities for individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities to become active participants in

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Skoll Scholarship 2026-2027 for MBA Studies at Oxford

No closing date given

Deadline: September 2, 2026 Applications are open for the Skoll Scholarship 2026-2027 for MBA Studies at Oxford. The Skoll Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity for social entrepreneurs to pursue an Oxford MBA with full financial support and access to the Skoll community. The Skoll Scholarship provides funding for s

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2027 Chevening OCIS Fellowship Program UK (Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies) Fully Funded

No closing date given

The Chevening OCIS Fellowship Program is aimed at the promotion of academic activities that encourage a more informed understanding of the culture and civilization of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies. The fellowship hosted by the UK Government and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies covers living expenses, tra

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Clark University Presidential Scholarship in USA 2027 Fully Funded

No closing date given

Clark University Presidential Scholarships offers undergraduate international students funding through the very prestigious programme, the Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP). Clark University Presidential Scholarship covers full tuition, as well as on-campus room and board for all four years, regardless of

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MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship 2026-2027

No closing date given

Deadline: August 24, 2026 Applications for the MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship 2026-2027 are now open. The MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship is a one-year program for education leaders currently working in enrollment and/or school performance and aiming to implement positive change in these systems. SAQ

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Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2027

No closing date given

Deadline: August 23, 2026 Applications are open for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2027. The scarcity of talent in South Africa and globally makes it essential for Sasol to ensure continuous availability of skills. To date Sasol has various programmes that enable the development of scholars and graduates. They

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Commonwealth Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 (Funded)

No closing date given

Deadline: August 25, 2026 Applications are open for the Commonwealth Fellowship Programme 2026/2027. From 2026/27, the CSC has launched a new 'Commonwealth Fellowship Programme' featuring two strands: the current Professional Fellowships alongside a new strand of Academic Fellowships. Commonwealth Academic and Professi

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University of Bayreuth Centre of International Excellence "Alexander von Humboldt" Starter Grant Programme 2027 (up to €10,000)

No closing date given

Deadline: September 15, 2026 Applications are open for the University of Bayreuth Centre of International Excellence "Alexander von Humboldt" Starter Grant Programme 2027. The University of Bayreuth Centre of International Excellence "Alexander von Humboldt" promotes excellent research at the University of Bayreuth (UB

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Mastercard Foundation AfOx Graduate Scholarships 2027-2028

No closing date given

Deadline: January 6, 2027 Applications are open for the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Graduate Scholarships 2027-2028. The University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation have established an innovative and ambitious partnership under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) t

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AKO UAL Storytelling Research Fellowship 2026/2027

No closing date given

Deadline: September 11, 2026 Applications are open for the AKO UAL Storytelling Research Fellowship 2026/2027. The Storytelling Research Fellowship is a programme from the UAL AKO Storytelling Institute, in partnership with the Power of Pop Fund at Comic Relief. It supports original research into how popular culture cr

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ARI-NUS Postdoctoral/Research Fellowship Programme 2026 (Funded)

No closing date given

Deadline: August 14, 2026 Applications for the ARI-NUS Postdoctoral/Research Fellowship Programme 2026 are now open. The Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore (NUS), invites applications for the full-time position of Postdoctoral/Research Fellow to work on a four-year long research project, fu

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Global Institute Fellowship for Transforming Systems 2026

No closing date given

Deadline: September 4, 2026 Applications are open for the Global Institute Fellowship for Transforming Systems 2026. The fellowship will bring together a cohort of 20 outstanding and influential education systems leaders worldwide for a carefully curated nine-month program of global learning designed to connect, inspir

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FAWE Mastercard Foundation Bursary Programme 2026-2027

No closing date given

Deadline: August 21, 2026 Applications for the FAWE Mastercard Foundation Bursary Programme 2026-2027 are now open. The Forum for African Women Educationalists Ghana Chapter (FAWE Ghana), under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, is accepting applications for the third cohort of the Bursary Programme for

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Jesus College Cambridge Arts Research Fellowship 2026 (Paid)

No closing date given

Deadline: September 30, 2026 Applications for the Jesus College Cambridge Arts Research Fellowship 2026 are now open. Applications are invited for two Research Fellowships in the following subjects: ASNC, Education Studies, English, Law, Modern Languages, Theology. The Fellowships are fixed-term three year Research Fel

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Read next: the Federal Scholarship Grant, the amounts and how to apply, or the NELFUND tuition refund you may be owed. See also JAMB and admission updates, and more on the DDE blog.