Apply Now! Full Scholarships for Nigerian Students to Study in Canada, UK & USA (2026 Guide)

Are you a Nigerian student dreaming of studying abroad in the UK, Canada, or the USA? Good news: there are fully funded international scholarships available in 2026 that will cover everything from tuition and accommodation to monthly stipends and travel costs.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best fully funded scholarships for Nigerians to study in top universities across Canada, the UK, and the USA. These scholarships are open to undergraduates, Master’s, and PhD students.

Many of them don’t even require IELTS, and you can apply directly online—no agents needed!

Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians – Quick Overview

Scholarship Name	Study Country	Eligible Levels	IELTS Required?	Application Period
Chevening Scholarship	UK	Master’s only	Optional	Sept – Nov 2024
Commonwealth Scholarship	UK	Master’s, PhD	Optional	Aug – Oct 2024
Lester B. Pearson Scholarship	Canada	Undergraduate	No	Sept – Jan 2026
Vanier Canada Graduate	Canada	PhD	Yes (usually)	July – Oct 2024
Fulbright Foreign Student	USA	Master’s, PhD	Yes	Feb – May 2026
MasterCard Foundation Scholars	UK, Canada, USA	UG, PG	No	Varies by university
Obama Foundation Scholars	USA	Master’s (leadership)	Yes	Nov 2024 – Jan 2026
Knight-Hennessy Scholars	USA (Stanford)	Master’s, PhD	Yes	June – Oct 2024

1. Chevening Scholarship (UK)

The Chevening Scholarship is funded by the UK government and available to outstanding Nigerians wishing to pursue a one-year Master’s degree at any UK university.

Benefits include:

Full tuition fees
Monthly living stipend
Return flight to the UK
Visa and healthcare fees

Who can apply:

You must have a 2:1 undergraduate degree
Minimum of 2 years’ work or volunteer experience
Commitment to return to Nigeria for at least 2 years

Apply via: www.chevening.org

2. Commonwealth Shared and Split Site Scholarships (UK)

These scholarships are for students from low and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, to pursue Master's and PhD programs in the UK.

What’s Covered:

Full tuition fees
Monthly maintenance allowance
Thesis grant
Airfare to and from the UK

No IELTS required if your degree was taught in English.

Apply via: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk

3. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (Canada)

This scholarship at the University of Toronto is open to outstanding secondary school students who demonstrate academic excellence, creativity, and leadership.

Scholarship Benefits:

Full tuition for 4 years
Books and school fees
Accommodation and living expenses

Who can apply:

Final-year secondary students applying to U of T
Nominated by your school

Apply via: future.utoronto.ca/pearson

4. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Canada)

Designed to attract top doctoral students globally, the Vanier CGS supports PhD studies in health, sciences, engineering, and humanities.

Scholarship Value:

$50,000 (CAD) per year for 3 years

Requirements:

Research experience
Academic excellence
Strong leadership potential

Apply via: vanier.gc.ca

5. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

This prestigious U.S. scholarship funds Master’s and PhD studies for Nigerian graduates in all disciplines.

Covers:

Full tuition and fees
Monthly living stipend
Health insurance
Round-trip airfare

Application Notes:

Requires TOEFL/IELTS
Personal statement and strong academic CV required

Apply via: foreign.fulbrightonline.org

6. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

This program is available at partner universities in the USA, Canada, and the UK, such as:

University of Toronto
University of Edinburgh
McGill University
University of California, Berkeley

Covers:

Full tuition
Living expenses
Laptop and travel allowance
Mentorship and leadership development

Apply through individual university websites.

7. Obama Foundation Scholars Program (USA)

A leadership development scholarship hosted at Columbia University for emerging young leaders from around the world, including Nigeria.

What’s Included:

Full tuition for Master’s
Furnished apartment in NYC
Monthly stipend
Travel and leadership programming

Apply via: obama.org/scholars

8. Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University (USA)

One of the most competitive scholarships globally, this program funds graduate degrees at Stanford University.

Funding Package:

Full tuition
Living stipend
Travel and conference grants
Leadership development programs

Requirements:

Strong academic record
English proficiency
Must apply separately to Stanford program of interest

Apply via: knight-hennessy.stanford.edu

Table: What You Need to Apply

Requirement	Details
Academic Transcripts	From secondary school or previous university
International Passport	Not always required to apply, but needed if selected
Personal Statement	Must reflect leadership, vision, and academic goals
Letter(s) of Recommendation	Usually 2–3 from academic or professional referees
Proof of English (if needed)	IELTS/TOEFL or university letter stating English as language of instruction
Resume/CV	Updated and tailored to academic strengths

Application Tips for Nigerian Students

Start Early: Some scholarships open as early as August 2024.
Get English Proficiency Letter: If you don’t have IELTS, ask your school to issue one.
Customize Your CV: Tailor it to reflect academic awards, community work, or leadership.
Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Don’t rely on just one. Increase your chances.
Use Only Official Websites: Avoid agents—most applications are free and done online.

FAQs: Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians

1. Can I apply without an international passport?

Yes, but make sure to start processing your passport early because you’ll need it after selection.

2. Can I apply without IELTS?

Yes. Many of these scholarships accept an English Proficiency Certificate from your university or secondary school.

3. Are these scholarships only for Master’s or PhD students?

No. Some like the Lester B. Pearson and MasterCard Foundation also support undergraduate students.

4. Can I get a scholarship with a 2:2 degree?

Some scholarships like Commonwealth Shared and Türkiye Burslari accept 2:2 if other aspects of your application are strong.

Conclusion

Your dream of studying abroad can come true with the right information and timing. These fully funded scholarships for Nigerians in 2026 offer the opportunity to study in world-class universities in the UK, Canada, and USA without financial stress.

Take action early, prepare your documents, and apply confidently. Your future could be just one application away.

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