Studying abroad can be expensive when you add tuition, accommodation, food, insurance, flights and other costs. However, Nigerian students can access international scholarships that cover some or most of these expenses.
The important point is that fully funded does not mean exactly the same thing for every scholarship. Some awards cover tuition, living expenses, travel and insurance, while others cover tuition and provide a smaller allowance. The Federal Ministry of Education also publishes international scholarship opportunities available to Nigerians, including awards that cover only selected expenses.
What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship Cover?
A genuinely comprehensive scholarship may pay your tuition and provide money for living expenses. Depending on the programme, it may also cover airfare, visa costs, health insurance, accommodation or other study-related expenses.
For example, the 2026 PTDF overseas postgraduate scholarship lists return flights, health insurance, tuition and bench fees where applicable, as well as accommodation and living allowances.
Other scholarships have different structures. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships, for example, can cover participation costs and contribute towards travel, visa expenses and living costs.
Therefore, never assume that a scholarship is fully funded simply because an advert uses that phrase. Read the official funding terms before applying.
Major Fully Funded Scholarship Routes for Nigerians
Nigerian students can explore several established international scholarship programmes.
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is a UK Government scholarship programme for students from eligible countries, including Nigeria. It provides an opportunity to pursue postgraduate study in the United Kingdom and is designed around future leaders and professionals.
For the 2027/2028 cycle, applications in Nigeria opened on 4 August 2026 and are scheduled to close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Because application requirements and timelines can change, applicants should always use the current Nigeria-specific Chevening information rather than relying on old scholarship posts.
Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers several scholarship routes for students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
Its Master’s Scholarships support postgraduate study in the UK, while Commonwealth Shared Scholarships support selected one-year Master’s courses at participating UK universities.
Nigerian applicants should check the current programme rules because not every Commonwealth scholarship is open to every academic level or course.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Erasmus Mundus is particularly useful for students seeking international Master’s programmes. Students may study at several universities in different countries as part of the same programme.
Full scholarships are available for selected students. The official Erasmus+ information states that scholarships can cover participation costs and contribute towards travel, visa and living expenses.
Most applications are made directly to the individual Master’s programme. In many cases, applications for programmes beginning the following academic year are submitted between October and January.
PTDF Overseas Scholarships
For Nigerians interested in fields connected to the petroleum and energy sector, PTDF provides overseas postgraduate scholarship opportunities.
Its 2026 overseas scheme covered selected universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia. The published benefits included tuition and bench fees where applicable, health insurance, return flights, accommodation and living allowances.
Applicants must still satisfy the academic and programme-specific requirements. A scholarship being fully funded does not mean every applicant automatically qualifies.
DAAD Scholarships
Germany’s DAAD provides several scholarship opportunities for international students. One important route is the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses programme, known as EPOS.
The current EPOS information includes selected postgraduate programmes in Germany and provides scholarship support such as monthly payments, insurance and travel allowances. Some additional benefits, such as rent support, may apply under specific conditions. Applicants generally need an appropriate first degree and relevant professional experience for EPOS.
DAAD also operates scholarship programmes within Sub-Saharan Africa, including selected Master’s programmes that can provide tuition, monthly support and study-related allowances.
Fulbright Foreign Student Programme
Nigerian graduates can also investigate the Fulbright Foreign Student Programme for study in the United States.
The programme supports international students pursuing Master’s or doctoral study and lists benefits including J-1 visa sponsorship, funding support and a health benefit plan. Eligibility and selection are administered through the relevant country process.
Are Fully Funded Scholarships Available for Undergraduates?
Yes, but opportunities can be more limited than postgraduate scholarships.
Students seeking undergraduate funding should examine international government programmes, university scholarships and major foundation-supported programmes. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, for example, supports students at secondary, undergraduate and Master’s levels through partner institutions.
The Federal Ministry of Education also publishes international opportunities for Nigerians. However, some government-to-government awards may cover tuition and a stipend while leaving travel, accommodation or feeding costs to the student. The Ministry’s 2026 listings illustrate why applicants must read the funding section carefully.
Common Requirements for Fully Funded Scholarships
Requirements vary considerably, but many international scholarships ask for some combination of:
- A recognised bachelor’s degree for Master’s applications
- Strong academic performance
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency where required
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
- Recommendation letters
- Valid identification or passport
- Admission or programme application documents
- Evidence of professional experience for certain scholarships
- Research proposal for some doctoral programmes
Meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee selection. Competitive scholarships often assess academic background alongside leadership, professional experience, research potential, career objectives or development impact.
How to Find Legitimate Scholarships
Start with official scholarship providers rather than social media advertisements promising guaranteed funding.
Useful places to search include the Federal Ministry of Education’s scholarship announcements, Chevening, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Erasmus+, DAAD, PTDF and official university scholarship pages.
Pay attention to the funding details, eligibility rules, application deadline and application procedure. If an organisation asks you to pay money simply to guarantee a scholarship, treat the offer with caution.
How to Improve Your Application
Do not apply randomly to every scholarship you find. Begin with programmes that match your academic background, career direction and eligibility.
Prepare your transcript, CV, identification documents and references early. Give yourself enough time to develop a strong personal statement that explains what you want to study, why the programme fits your goals and how you intend to use the opportunity.
Most importantly, answer the actual questions asked by the scholarship provider. Do not copy essays from previous applicants or submit the same generic statement everywhere.
Conclusion
Fully funded scholarships can make international education possible for Nigerian students who could not afford overseas tuition and living costs independently. Opportunities exist at undergraduate, Master’s and doctoral levels, but their funding packages and eligibility rules differ.
Chevening, Commonwealth, Erasmus Mundus, PTDF, DAAD and Fulbright are among the established routes worth investigating. The safest approach is to verify every opportunity through its official provider, understand exactly what the award covers and prepare your application well before the deadline.
