There are lots of free international scholarships for Nigerian students for those that want to study overseas. These opportunities are out there to help you travel out and acquire education in an advanced environment with good learning conditions and well equipped instruments for learning.
So, in this article, I am going to list some free international scholarships for Nigerian students and their requirements and eligibility criteria.
Free International Scholarship for Nigerian Students
Commonwealth scholarships
The United Kingdom through the Commonwealth scholarships, give talented and highly motivated students every year, the opportunity to live and study in the UK. After your years of study, you are expected to return to your home country and contribute in making a difference.
The scholarship is a need-based scholarship, available for only developing commonwealth member countries, and only to those who cannot afford the cost of living and studying in the UK on their own.
The scholarship is totally free, with everything, ranging from airfares to and fro, health insurance, accommodation and living expenses catered for.
See How to apply for Commonwealth Scholarship here.
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are offered annually and are a part of Australia’s aims to support the next generation of global leaders, most especially from the African continent. Brilliant students with great potential who, due to financial constraints are unable to pursue their studies and develop themselves are given the free opportunity to undertake studies in Australia.
The Australia Awards Scholarships have existed since 2011, and are managed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), awarding over 6,000 applicants from 52 countries in Africa.
Türkiye Scholarship for international students
Turkey’s government funds the Türkiye scholarship to help outstanding students study at top universities. The goal is to create a network of future leaders who promote cooperation between countries and understanding among societies. Students can pursue full-time or short-term programs through this scholarship.
Türkiye Scholarship gives students money, health insurance, housing, and tuition. They also help students get into university and provide social and cultural activities during their higher education.
Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is a partnership between Japan and the World Bank. It offers study opportunities for those interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in development-related fields.
The scholarship is free and available also for Nigerian students.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program in USA
Based in the United States of America, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program aims at giving young talents with noticeable potentials the opportunity to study in the US for up to a year or more, as their course demands.
Fulbright offers free scholarships to the needy international students (Nigerian students), and pay for every expense needed throughout the study period, including air fares to and fro.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students
Nigerian students can apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to study in Switzerland and continue their academic journey. The scholarship encourages research collaboration between Switzerland and over 180 countries. It is for post-graduate researchers with a master’s degree in any subject.
The scholarship is fully funded and free.
The University of Sydney International Scholarship
The University of Sydney International Scholarship is for international students. They must want to pursue a Master’s by research or Ph.D program at the university in Australia. This is the most prominent scholarship offered by the University; it is also open to international students from underdeveloped countries who wish to study full-time for an undergraduate degree there.
DAAD Scholarship in Germany
As one of the world’s largest funding organizations for the international exchange of students and researchers, DAAD offers several scholarships and grants to international students who are qualified to study in a state recognised university in Germany.
DAAD aims at promoting sustainable development among developing nations. In this respect, they provide students with strong academic backgrounds the opportunity to take on a Master’s or PhD program in development-related fields in Germany.
The scholarship is free and fully funded.
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
The Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions offer 60 scholarships every year for one year of full time study at Master’s and PhD level.
The awardees are offered a stipend of €10,000 for one year of full time study, and a full tuition fee waiver for the year of their scholarship.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Fund Scholarship
The LSHTM Funds provide scholarships for future health leaders. With full tuition fees, accommodation and a living allowance of £19,500, including any mandatory field trip fees, LSHTM wishes to support excellent health students from low and middle income countries who cannot afford the cost of living and studying in the UK, for a full time London-based Msc programme at their university.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQS]
Are There Free Scholarships?
Yes, there are free scholarships, where you don’t have to pay a dime because all expenses are being catered for.
Final Thought on 10 Free International Scholarships for Nigerian Students
The list is not complete. There are more undergraduate scholarships for nigerian students. And others for master’s scholarships and fully funded scholarships.
So, whatever field of study you’re or whether you want to pursue postgraduate study, there are university scholarships for you. For example, Chevening scholarships, foundation scholarships and government scholarships.
Now, many of the financial support are merit-based scholarships. This means that you cannot bribe your way, or beg your way to get the award, you must be noticeably intelligent.
A combination of your previous academic achievements with your statement of purpose will show how worthy you are to receive the award.
These scholarship opportunities are not fake as most people claim. The only thing is that the selection process is very strict, you have to beat the requirements and eligibility criteria to become a beneficiary.
There are many Nigerians who are beneficiaries of these international educational grants and scholarship awards. You have to be at your best, if you want to become a beneficiary too.
