Every year thousands of Nigerian students seek fully funded scholarships to study abroad — master’s degrees, PhDs, and undergraduate programmes that cover tuition, living costs, travel and sometimes health insurance. The good news is that several countries run government-funded scholarship programmes that accept Nigerian applicants. This post maps the most reliable, well-established opportunities (and links to official pages), explains what “fully funded” typically covers, and gives practical application tips so you can apply with confidence. (British Council)
What “fully funded” usually means
When a scholarship is described as fully funded it commonly includes some or all of the following:
- Full or partial tuition fees paid directly to the university
- A monthly stipend for living expenses
- Round-trip airfare (or a travel allowance)
- Medical insurance or contribution toward insurance
- Arrival and departure allowances and sometimes a thesis or research allowance
Exact coverage varies by programme and level (undergraduate, master’s, PhD). Always check the official scholarship page for the definitive list of benefits. (Chevening)
Top countries that offer fully funded scholarships to Nigerian students
Below are the most recurrent, reputable scholarship programmes open to Nigerians — each run or co-funded by a national government or an international body.
1. United Kingdom — Chevening & Commonwealth Scholarships
UK is a major destination for fully funded scholarships. Two headline programmes are:
- Chevening Scholarships (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) — fully funded one-year master’s awards that include tuition, a monthly stipend, return flights and additional allowances. Chevening opens annual country-specific competitions (Nigeria is an eligible country). (Chevening)
- Commonwealth Scholarships — targeted mainly at students from Commonwealth countries for postgraduate study in the UK; these scholarships are typically fully funded for deserving candidates in development-relevant fields. (Study UK)
2. United States — Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program funds graduate study and research in the USA. Administered by the U.S. Department of State (and local Fulbright commissions/partners), Fulbright covers tuition, travel, living costs and health insurance for successful applicants. It is highly competitive but well-established for Nigerians pursuing master’s degrees and PhDs. (ng.usembassy.gov)
3. Australia — Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards (Africa) provides long-term, fully funded scholarships for Africans, including Nigerians, to study in Australia at the postgraduate level. Awards cover tuition, travel, living allowance and other supports and focus on development impact in the scholar’s home country. (Australia Awards Africa)
4. Germany — DAAD Scholarships
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers a wide range of scholarships for international students (Masters, PhD, research) that often include monthly stipends, travel allowances and insurance. DAAD opportunities vary by programme but are widely considered fully funded when they specify so. DAAD has active programmes for Nigerian students. (DAAD)
5. European Union — Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus joint programmes offer full scholarships to the best applicants for multi-university master’s degrees in Europe. Scholarships typically cover tuition, travel and a living allowance — and are open to international applicants including Nigerians. (Erasmus+)
6. China — Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Chinese Government Scholarship/CSC funds international students for undergraduate, master’s and PhD studies in China. Many CSC tracks are fully funded, covering tuition, accommodation (or housing allowance), a monthly stipend and travel allowances. Nigerian students frequently apply through China’s embassies or direct university partnerships. (chinesescholarshipcouncil.com)
7. Turkey — Türkiye Scholarships
Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) provide comprehensive funding including tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance and a one-time return flight. The programme is open to international students from many countries, including Nigeria. (Türkiye Bursları)
8. South Korea — Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) is a government scholarship for international students covering tuition, airfare, living allowance and Korean language training when required. It’s an attractive option for Nigerians at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. (studyinkorea.go.kr)
9. Sweden — Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals
Swedish Institute (SI) awards the SI Scholarships for Global Professionals — a fully funded master’s scholarship for students from selected countries (Nigeria is included). Benefits typically include tuition, monthly living allowance, travel grant and insurance. (Svenska institutet)
How to prioritise which scholarship to apply for
- Match level & field: Some scholarships target master’s students, others support undergraduates or PhDs. Pick programmes that fund your level and study area. (Erasmus+)
- Check citizenship eligibility: Confirm that Nigeria is listed as an eligible country for the scheme (e.g., SI lists eligible countries). (Svenska institutet)
- Read official coverage details: “Fully funded” may still exclude family dependents or cover only partial travel. Always check the official site. (Chevening)
- Note deadlines and application windows: Governments open applications annually or biannually — missing a window can cost you a year. Bookmark official portals and embassy pages. (Australia Awards Africa)
Typical eligibility requirements & documents
While each scholarship has its own rules, Nigerian applicants commonly need:
- A relevant bachelor’s degree (for master’s/PhD programmes) with a competitive GPA
- Language proof (IELTS/TOEFL) or country-specific exemptions
- CV, statement of purpose (SOP) and two or more academic references
- Research proposal (PhD applicants) or study plan (master’s applicants)
- Police clearance and health certificate in later stages
Some scholarships, like Chevening, also require work experience and leadership potential. Read the country page for precise requirements. (Chevening)
Application tips that increase your odds
- Start early. Prepare transcripts, translations and referees at least 3–6 months ahead of deadlines.
- Tailor your statement. Align your SOP with the scholarship’s development mission (Chevening, Australia Awards) or academic goals (Erasmus Mundus). (Chevening)
- Get strong references. Choose referees who can speak to academic potential and leadership.
- Follow instructions exactly. Missing forms or misplaced documents are common rejection reasons.
- Attend official info sessions. Embassies, cultural institutions and university webinars often give application insights and updates. (British Council)
Beware of common pitfalls and scams
- Official pages only: Use the scholarship’s official website, embassy pages or recognized administrators (e.g., British Council, DAAD, Fulbright offices). Avoid third-party “guaranteed placement” offers that ask for upfront fees. (British Council)
- Fake notifications: Genuine scholarship offices use official emails/domains and never ask for bank transfers to “secure” awards. Verify suspicious messages with the official programme contact.
- Timing myths: Some candidates assume applying directly to a university equals scholarship consideration — many government scholarships require separate, central applications.
Quick checklist: Where to start right now
- Make a list of the scholarships above that match your level. (Chevening, Commonwealth, Fulbright, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Australia Awards, Sweden SI, Turkey, China CSC, Korea GKS). (Chevening)
- Visit each official page and note application windows and required documents. (Chevening)
- Prepare a polished CV, draft your SOP, contact referees, and schedule any required tests (IELTS/TOEFL/GRE).
- Apply before deadlines and track your application using official dashboards.
Conclusion
No single country is the only source of fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students — multiple governments (UK, USA, Australia, Germany, Sweden, China, Turkey, South Korea, and the EU through Erasmus Mundus) offer reputable, fully funded scholarships targeted at Nigerians. Which one is best depends on your study level, field, career goals, and eligibility. Use the official programme pages listed in this guide as your first source of truth, prepare carefully, and apply early. Good luck — your next big academic opportunity could be a funded scholarship abroad. (Chevening)
