Securing a scholarship to study abroad is the key to unlocking a world-class international education. At ApplyBoard, we eliminate financial barriers by matching you with top scholarship opportunities in 2026—including fully funded scholarships for Nigerian undergraduate students and prestigious UK scholarships for Nigerian students. Leveraging our partnerships with 1,500+ institutions, we give Nigerian applicants direct access to funding that covers everything from partial tuition to full living expenses. Below are five top scholarships for Nigerian students in 2026 to kickstart your journey.
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1. Trent International Global Citizen Scholarships (Canada)
- Level: Undergraduate
- Best For: Nigerian high school graduates seeking a fully funded undergraduate scholarship.
- Overview: Offered by Trent University—a proud ApplyBoard partner—this prestigious award is designed for incoming international students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, community leadership, and financial need.
- What it Covers: It covers international tuition and mandatory ancillary fees up to $40,000 CAD per academic year, totaling a massive $160,000 CAD over a four-year undergraduate degree.
2. Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Best For: Future leaders looking for premier UK scholarships for Nigerian students in 2026.
- Overview: Funded by the UK Government, the Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded award for outstanding future leaders to pursue a one-year Master’s degree.
- What it Covers: Full university tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, economy travel to/from the UK, and visa costs.
Pro Tip: The 2027/2028 cycle opens in August 2026. Use the current window to finalize your three course choices and accumulate the required 2,800 hours of work experience.
3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (United Kingdom)
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Eligibility: As a member of the Commonwealth, Nigerian students are eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for Master's funding.
- What it Covers: Full tuition fees, airfare, and a maintenance allowance.
4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Global)
- Level: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Overview: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is focused on African talent, this program supports students who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- What it Covers: Comprehensive support including tuition, set-up costs, housing, and a monthly stipend.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Overview: The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters is a high-profile, integrated international study program delivered by a consortium of European universities. It allows Nigerian students to study in at least two different European countries during their Master's.
- What it Covers: Full scholarship including tuition fees, full insurance coverage, and a monthly subsistence allowance for the entire duration of the study program.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The top fully funded options for Nigerian students in 2026 include the Chevening Scholarship and Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in the UK, the Trent International Global Citizen Scholarship in Canada, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Europe.
- Each covers tuition in full or in part, along with living costs, so the best fit depends on your intended country, degree level, and field of study.
- Yes. The Trent International Global Citizen Scholarship is one of the few fully funded options open to Nigerian undergraduates, covering up to $40,000 CAD in tuition and fees per year.
- Most other widely known scholarships, such as Chevening and Commonwealth Shared, are reserved for Master's-level applicants, so undergraduates should also look at university-specific entrance scholarships offered directly by their target schools.
- The two main UK-funded options are the Chevening Scholarship, which covers a one-year Master's degree in full, and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, available to Nigerian students as a Commonwealth nation.
- Both cover tuition, and living costs, though Chevening also includes airfare and visa costs, and its 2027/2028 cycle opens in August 2026.
- Most scholarships for Nigerian students, including Chevening and Commonwealth Shared, require proof of English proficiency, but exact requirements vary by scholarship and host institution.
- Some universities waive this requirement if your previous education was taught entirely in English, so it's worth confirming with each program directly.
- ApplyBoard connects Nigerian students with over 1,500 partner institutions, giving you access to scholarship opportunities you might not find searching on your own.
- Our advisors help match you to programs and funding based on your academic background, budget, and target country, and our built-in quality checks support a ~95% application success rate.
- Most scholarship cycles open six to twelve months before the intended start date, so students targeting a 2026 intake should already be preparing applications, transcripts, and English test scores.
- Chevening's next cycle, for example, opens in August 2026, and strong applications typically take several weeks to prepare.
Maximize Your 2026 Scholarship Opportunities with ApplyBoard
The journey from Nigeria to a world-class university is a bold step, but with the right scholarships for Nigerian students 2026, it is entirely within your reach. Whether you are applying for fully funded undergraduate programs or competitive UK scholarships, ApplyBoard streamlines the application process—ensuring you find the perfect match among thousands of global programs.
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