Latest List Of International Scholarships For Nigerian Undergraduates & Postgraduates (2025)
Every year, thousands of Nigerian students dream of studying abroad, but the cost of tuition, visa processing, and other expenses often makes that dream feel out of reach. Thankfully, fully funded international scholarships for Nigerians are increasing, and many don't even require IELTS.
Whether you’re an undergraduate, Master’s, or PhD candidate, this 2025 guide brings you the latest scholarship opportunities available to Nigerian students who want to study abroad in Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond.
These scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, health insurance, travel, and monthly stipends. Some even include internship opportunities or post-study work visas.
Quick Snapshot: Scholarships Available in 2025
Scholarship Name | Level | Destination | Deadline Range | IELTS Required? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chevening Scholarship (UK) | Postgraduate | United Kingdom | Sept – Nov 2024 | Not always |
Commonwealth Scholarship | Postgraduate | UK | Aug – Oct 2024 | Not always |
DAAD Scholarship (Germany) | Postgraduate | Germany | Varies by program | Optional |
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Postgraduate | Multiple (Europe) | Oct 2024 – Jan 2025 | Sometimes |
MEXT Scholarship (Japan) | UG, PG | Japan | April – June 2025 | No |
Türkiye Burslari (Turkey) | UG, PG, PhD | Turkey | Jan – Feb 2025 | No |
Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary) | UG, PG, PhD | Hungary | Nov – Jan 2025 | No |
CSC Scholarship (China) | UG, PG, PhD | China | Dec – March 2025 | No |
Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Postgraduate | USA | April – May 2025 | Yes |
Russian Government Open Doors | UG, PG, PhD | Russia | Oct – Dec 2024 | No |
1. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
The Chevening Scholarship is funded by the UK government for one-year Master’s degrees at any UK university. It covers full tuition, monthly allowance, flight costs, and visa fees.
Key Benefits:
-
Monthly living stipend
-
Full tuition
-
Return airfare
-
Networking with professionals in the UK
Eligibility:
-
Undergraduate degree (2:1 minimum)
-
Two years’ work or volunteer experience
-
Commitment to return to Nigeria for at least two years
Website: www.chevening.org
2. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this scholarship is for academically gifted individuals who wouldn’t otherwise afford to study in the UK.
Coverage:
-
Full tuition fees
-
Monthly stipend
-
Warm clothing & thesis grants
-
Travel fares
Eligible Levels: Master’s and PhD
Website: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to Nigerians for Master’s and PhD programs at German public universities.
Coverage Includes:
-
Tuition fees
-
Monthly stipend (€934–€1,300)
-
Travel allowance
-
Health insurance
Language Requirement: IELTS not mandatory for English-taught programs if you have proof of English from your university.
Website: www.daad.de
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
This is a multi-country EU scholarship for Master’s degrees in at least two European countries. Nigerian students are among the top beneficiaries every year.
Scholarship Benefits:
-
Full tuition
-
Travel allowance
-
Monthly stipend (€1,100–€1,200)
-
Insurance
Website: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
5. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship is for Nigerian undergraduates, Master’s, and PhD students. It doesn’t require IELTS but may require an English or Japanese test.
Covers:
-
Full tuition
-
Monthly stipend
-
Flight tickets
-
Accommodation support
Website: studyinjapan.go.jp
6. Türkiye Burslari Scholarship (Turkey)
This fully funded scholarship is available to all academic levels and does not require IELTS. You only need a certificate of English proficiency from your school.
What’s Covered:
-
Full tuition
-
Monthly allowance
-
Free accommodation
-
Return flight ticket
-
Turkish language course
Website: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
7. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (Hungary)
This is a fully funded Hungarian government scholarship offered to Nigerians through a partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education.
Includes:
-
Tuition-free education
-
Monthly stipend
-
Medical insurance
-
Free accommodation or allowance
Website: stipendiumhungaricum.hu
8. CSC Scholarship (China)
The Chinese Government offers this to Nigerian students at undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels. It covers full costs, and IELTS isn’t needed.
Covered Expenses:
-
Tuition
-
Accommodation
-
Stipend (¥2,500 – ¥3,500)
-
Health insurance
Website: campuschina.org
9. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
This U.S. government-funded program allows Nigerian graduates to study for Master’s or PhD degrees in the U.S.
Offers:
-
Tuition and living stipend
-
Visa processing and health insurance
-
J-1 visa sponsorship
Note: IELTS or TOEFL required
Website: foreign.fulbrightonline.org
10. Open Doors Russian Government Scholarship
This allows Nigerians to apply to top Russian universities without paying fees. Many universities offer English-taught programs and accept English proficiency letters.
What You Get:
-
Full tuition
-
Monthly stipend
-
Free dormitory housing
Website: od.globaluni.ru
Bonus Tips for Applying Without IELTS
Step | Action |
---|---|
Use WAEC/NECO English | Not sufficient alone, but can support your application |
Get English Proficiency | From your university registrar or department head |
Prepare Early | Start preparing transcripts, passport, SOP, and CV now |
Avoid Agents | Apply through official portals only |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I get these scholarships with a 2nd class lower degree?
Yes, some scholarships accept 2:2 if you have strong work experience or research potential (especially Türkiye Burslari and CSC).
2. Do I need a passport before applying?
Not always. Some allow you to apply without one, but you’ll need it before final selection or visa processing.
3. Are these scholarships only for science students?
No. They are available for arts, social sciences, business, education, engineering, medicine, and more.
4. Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Yes! In fact, applying to multiple scholarships increases your chances significantly.
Conclusion
Getting an international scholarship as a Nigerian student is absolutely possible in 2025—even without IELTS or an agent. All it takes is the right information, preparation, and consistency.
These latest scholarships listed above are fully funded and open to both undergraduates and postgraduates. Start your applications early, follow the official websites, and prepare your documents in advance.
Education abroad is not just a dream—it can be your reality.