You are in the right spot if you’re seeking fully funded international scholarships for Nigerian students. University scholarship awards are sweet when you have the opportunity to get one. But what is sweeter is having it fully funded.
You quite know what it is to have all your academic bills settled. You get to relax, think of nothing but to study, and make your grades.
Many students are struggling to pay tuition fees and, at the same time, struggling with living expenses.
Some have to work part-time to be able to meet up with the cost of having a university education. It can always be challenging to combine studies with work. Most humanitarian institutions, NGOs, and even the Government of the day know this.
There are few scholarship opportunities compared to the number of people needing them. Developed countries now prioritize humanitarian aid to Africa in the form of scholarships for students. This is due to the poor educational system across the continent.
Here I will update you with a list of fully funded international scholarships for Nigerian students. Some are master’s scholarships, foundation scholarship, scholarships in the UK, and the scholarship application process.
Fully Funded International Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the 2024/2025 academic year is open for applications. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program scholarships give international graduate students, young professionals, and artists a chance to do research and study for up to a year in American universities or other appropriate institutions.
This is one of the best fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students. The scholarship covers tuition fees, airfare, a living stipend, health insurance, etc.
Eligibility and Requirements
Nigerian citizenship or permanent residency, doctoral or Ph.D. status, outstanding academic record, and high English proficiency (TOEFL score of 90).
How to Apply
Visit the Fulbright application portal. Fill out the application forms completely and attach the required supporting documents online. These include three academic and professional references, a curriculum vitae, academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, a writing sample, and a TOEFL score report.
Deadline: The Fulbright Foreign Student Program scholarship will start for the 2024/2025 academic year. The application opens on February 1, and the deadline for submitting online applications and supplementary documents is June 1.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) offers a full scholarship to students applying for master’s degree programs in development-related fields. The JJ/WBGSP scholarship includes tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance.
The scholarships will last for the duration of the program.
Eligibility
The JJ/WBGSP is open to students from Nigeria and other countries
You must not be an Executive Director, their alternate, or staff of any World Bank Group appointment. You must also not be a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption. “Close relative” is defined as Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew.
Requirements
Not own dual citizenship with any advanced nation
You must possess a Bachelor’s (or comparable) degree acquired at least three years before the application deadline.
You must possess a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree and three years or more of recent job experience in the development sector.
When you apply for the scholarship, be working in development-related work in a paid full-time employment. Have at least three years of paid development-related experience after acquiring a Bachelor’s degree (or comparable university degree) during the last six years from the Application Deadline.
You must first apply to and be unconditionally admitted to at least one of the Participating Programs.
You must include in your application an unconditional letter of acceptance from a participating master’s program.
How to Apply
Visit the JJ/WBGSP website
Fill out the application form and submit
Note: The application period has two openings; the first is from 16 January 2023 to 28 February 2023 at noon Washington time. While the second is from 27 March 2023 to 26 May 2023 at noon Washington time. So you are advised to catch up with the 2024 openings.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Confederation grants government scholarships open yearly to encourage international collaboration in research and exchange between Switzerland and more than 180 other nations.
The research scholarship is open to post-graduate researchers in any subject who have at least a master’s degree and wish to conduct research in Switzerland or pursue doctoral or post-doctoral study there.
The Swiss Confederation grants a full scholarship, a great opportunity for Nigerian students who desire to continue their studies in Switzerland.
Eligibility
International students from Nigerian and other countries.
How to Apply
Visit the scholarship’s official website
Select your continent and country
Fill out the application form and upload the necessary credentials
Submit
The University of Sydney International Scholarship
The University of Sydney, Australia, is currently giving full scholarships to international postgraduate students who wish to undertake a Master’s by research or Ph.D. 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.
Eligibility
- It is open to international students of all nationalities.
Requirements
- You must be a new or enrolled international student
- You must have an excellent academic record as well as research potential.
- You must have an unconditional admission offer or be enrolled in a Master’s by research or Ph.D. program at the University of Sydney.
How to Apply
- Visit the official site
- Fill out the application form and submit
- Note that there are other requirements stated on the application page.
Deadline: For the 2024 session, the deadline for application is 15 September 2023.
Western Illinois University International Scholarships
Western Illinois University, USA, is offering fully funded scholarships to International students who want to undertake postgraduate studies (Master’s program) in one of the subjects taught at Western Illinois University.
The scholarship fee is over $8,000 and is awarded to outstanding business, education, engineering, arts, and sciences students.
Eligibility
- The scholarship is open to International students of all nationalities.
Requirements
- You must be a graduate student who has just been admitted and an unsponsored foreign student enrolling at WIU for the first time.
- You must have a minimum 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA.
- Note that scholarship eligibility will be determined at the time of the admissions evaluation.
How to Apply
Visit the school’s official website
Select your program level and discipline.
- Apply for admission, and fill in your details.
- Submit
University of Adelaide Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Through its postgraduate research scholarship, the University of Adelaide, Australia, aims to promote research in history, archaeology, anthropology, art history, Indigenous studies, and other related fields.
For 2024, the scholarship is worth $32,500, and other incentives are renewed annually for the program.
Eligibility
- International students of all nationalities who have met the requirements are eligible for the scholarship.
Requirements
- You must have completed and been awarded a relevant Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in history, archaeology, anthropology, art history, Indigenous studies, or a related discipline.
- You must have equivalent work experience and academic publications if you don’t have those above.
- Certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Translations of non-English documentation
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations, relevant work experience, and two referees.
How to Apply
- Interested applicants will need a confirmation report for an eligible principal supervisor. Send a mail to research_degrees@adelaide.edu.au to get this confirmation. Alternatively, find available scholarship from the school and apply.
Qatar University Undergraduate Scholarships
The Qatar University Undergraduate Scholarship is a fully funded Bachelor’s Degree Program scholarship. This scholarship is being awarded to international students from around the world.
The Qatar University Undergraduate Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students needing financial aid as it covers all expenses such as tuition, textbooks, accommodation, etc.
Eligibility
- The scholarship is open to applicants from around the world.
Requirements
- The requirements for the Qatar University Undergraduate Scholarship vary from course to course. Visit the scholarship requirement portal to find out the requirements for your chosen course.
- Generally, all applicants must have a high school certificate.
How to Apply
- Visit the Qatar University official website.
- Note that you’ll need to prepare an electronic copy of all your credentials.
- As a first-time user, you’ll need to create an account.
- Fill out the requirements
- Submit
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQS]
How Do I Get a Fully Funded International Scholarship?
To get a fully funded international scholarship, you need to research and apply for scholarship programs that are available to international students. Look for reputable organizations, universities, or government institutions that offer scholarships and meet their eligibility criteria. Prepare a strong application, including your academic achievements, personal statement, and recommendation letters. Follow the application instructions and deadlines provided by the scholarship provider.
How Can I Get 100% Scholarship to Study Abroad?
To secure a 100% scholarship to study abroad, you should search for scholarship opportunities offered by universities, governments, or organizations that cover all your educational expenses. These scholarships may include tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and travel costs. Look for scholarships that specifically mention full funding or 100% coverage. Follow the application process, meet the eligibility requirements, and submit a compelling application highlighting your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and future goals.
What Is a Fully Funded Scholarship in the UK for Nigerian Students?
A fully funded scholarship in the UK for Nigerian students refers to a scholarship program that covers all the expenses associated with studying in the UK. This typically includes tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, travel costs, and sometimes additional allowances. Such scholarships are designed to support Nigerian students in pursuing their education in the UK without financial burdens. Examples of fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students in the UK include the Commonwealth Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, and various university-specific scholarships.
Which Country Gives Full Scholarship?
United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland. These countries have various scholarship programs sponsored by governments, universities, and other organizations that cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other associated costs. It’s important to research and explore scholarship opportunities specific to your field of study and nationality.
Final Thought
People have used the high cost of education to justify the claims that education is not for people with low incomes. Yet, while this is true, we cannot leave behind low-income people who also need personal development. Since we strive to build a better society, the individuals that make up the society must be trained to become better, and this cannot be the few rich.
In fact, if people experiencing poverty were to be left behind, the world would be filled with rascals and nuisances.
It is pleasing to see NGOs, schools, and well-to-do individuals, think about the less privileged and find ways to assist them.
So that an intelligent Nigerian student who cannot afford the means, but wishes to study abroad, is given the opportunity to.
Traveling is part of education.
Students sometimes do not just want to escape from the hard life in Nigeria but also to experience life outside their geographical region. And, of course, this is to be encouraged with awards of scholarships. Without the scholarship, how can we fetch out those with great potential but are indolent?
When applying for any of the scholarship for African students or for any postgraduate degree scholarship, pay attention to your leadership potential. Remember that the scholarship committees are always looking for individuals with high leadership potentials. So, when you write your statement of purpose, have that in mind.
