Insight

• Ikiodiete George
• 4 Min Read

Don’T Miss These 7 Scholarships For Nigerian Students (No Ielts Needed!)

Dreaming of studying abroad but IELTS is standing in your way? You’re not alone.

Many Nigerian students miss out on great international opportunities simply because they can’t afford or don’t want to take the IELTS test. The good news? There are fully funded scholarships that don’t require IELTS—and they’re 100% legit.

Whether you're aiming for an undergraduate, master's, or PhD program, these scholarships offer tuition-free education, travel expenses, monthly stipends, and often more. Some of them only require that your previous education was in English (which it was for most Nigerians), so you’re already halfway there.

Here are 7 top-rated scholarships for Nigerian students that don’t require IELTS—so you can focus on your dreams, not your English test score.

Quick Overview: Scholarships That Don’t Need IELTS

1. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to Nigerians for postgraduate study in German universities. Most German universities teach in English for postgraduate courses, and many programs don’t require IELTS as long as your previous education was in English.

Key Benefits:

• Full tuition coverage
• €934–€1,200 monthly stipend
• Health insurance
• Travel support

Eligibility:

• At least second-class upper (2:1)
• Relevant work or volunteer experience
• Bachelor's degree for master’s applicants

Website: daad.de

2. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

The Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship is one of the most generous in the world. It doesn’t require IELTS as long as you can show proof of English language proficiency (your university transcript stating English as the language of instruction is enough).

Key Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Monthly living allowance
• Return flight ticket
• Accommodation

Degree Levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD

Website: studyinjapan.go.jp

3. Russian Government Scholarship

Offered through the “Open Doors” program or by applying directly via the Russian Embassy, this scholarship lets you study for free at Russian universities. Most programs taught in English accept a waiver of IELTS if you’re from an English-speaking country.

Key Benefits:

• Full tuition coverage
• Monthly allowance
• Dormitory accommodation
• Optional Russian language classes

Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD

Website: education-in-russia.com

4. Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS)

China is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Nigerian students. The Shanghai Government Scholarship is open to international students and does not require IELTS if your previous education was in English.

Benefits:

• Full or partial tuition coverage
• Monthly stipend
• Free medical insurance
• On-campus accommodation

Host Universities: East China Normal University, Shanghai University, and others

Degree Levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

Website: Usually via the university portal

5. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

This popular scholarship allows Nigerians to study at Chinese universities with full funding. IELTS is not mandatory—you only need an English proficiency certificate from your previous institution.

Key Benefits:

• Full tuition fee
• Monthly stipend (¥2,500–¥3,500)
• Medical insurance
• Accommodation

Eligible Fields: Engineering, Medicine, Business, Science, and more

Degree Levels: UG, Master’s, and PhD

Website: campuschina.org

6. Hungary Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

This is a bilateral scholarship between Hungary and Nigeria, and it’s completely free. Most programs accept Nigerian students without IELTS as long as they present proof of English proficiency from their last university.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Monthly stipend (€130+)
• Free dormitory or housing allowance
• Health insurance

Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral

Application: Apply through the stipendiumhungaricum.hu portal

7. Türkiye Burslari Scholarship (Turkey)

One of the most generous scholarships on this list, Turkey's Government Scholarship funds students from Nigeria at all levels of study. IELTS is not required; just a letter from your university stating you studied in English is accepted.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Monthly stipend
• Return flights
• Free accommodation
• Free Turkish language course

Levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD

Website: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr

How to Get an English Proficiency Certificate Instead of IELTS

Most of the above scholarships accept an "English Proficiency Letter" in place of IELTS. Here’s how to get one:

FAQs

1. Do these scholarships accept WAEC English results?

Not directly. Most require a letter from your university confirming English as the language of instruction.

2. Are there application fees?

No. These fully funded scholarships do not require any application fees.

3. Can HND holders apply?

Some scholarships like MEXT and DAAD may accept HND with exceptional grades and work experience. Check specific program requirements.

4. When should I apply?

Most open between October 2024 and March 2025. Begin preparing your documents now.

Conclusion

Studying abroad doesn’t have to be a distant dream, and IELTS shouldn’t be your roadblock. With the 7 scholarships listed above, you can study in countries like Germany, Japan, China, Russia, Hungary, and Turkey—without paying a kobo for IELTS.

So if you’ve got the brains and the drive, go for it. Prepare your documents, get your English proficiency certificate, and apply. One of these scholarships could change your life forever.