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Are you a bright, ambitious Nigerian student dreaming of pursuing an undergraduate degree but worried about the financial hurdles? The academic year 2026-2027 presents a wealth of undergraduate scholarship opportunities both locally and internationally designed to transform your educational aspirations into reality. These scholarships span diverse specializations from Engineering and Medicine to the Humanities and Business, ensuring that high-achieving students from virtually all fields of study can find support. Beyond covering tuition fees, many of these prestigious awards offer comprehensive coverage including monthly stipends, accommodation, travel allowances, health insurance, and mentorship, providing significant benefits that alleviate financial pressure and empower you to focus completely on your studies.
In this blog, we provide a detailed, curated list of the best undergraduate scholarships available for Nigerian students for the 2026-2027 academic year, along with crucial information on eligibility, application processes, and deadlines to give you the competitive edge you need.
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Types of Undergraduate Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Undergraduate scholarships for Nigerian students are generally categorized based on where the study will take place (local or international) and who is providing the funding (government, corporate, university, etc.). Here are the main types:
| Host Location | Funding Source | Scholarship Type | Primary Focus/Criteria |
| Within Nigeria | Government | Federal Government Scholarships (e.g., NSA, EBA) | General financial aid for students in public Nigerian tertiary institutions. |
| Within Nigeria | Corporations/Private | Corporate/Oil & Gas Scholarships (e.g., NNPC/SEPLAT) | Merit-based, often targeted at students from host communities or specific courses (STEM). |
| Within Nigeria | Philanthropic/Foundations | Foundation/NGO Scholarships (e.g., TKM Foundation) | Need-based or merit-based support for tuition and living expenses. |
| Within Nigeria | State Governments | State Indigene Scholarships/Bursaries | Financial support exclusively for students who are indigenes of a specific Nigerian state. |
| Abroad (International) | Foreign Governments | Fully-Funded Government Scholarships (e.g., MEXT, GKS) | Comprehensive financial support based on merit, fostering international exchange. |
| Abroad (International) | Universities/Colleges | University-Specific Scholarships (e.g., Reach Oxford, Think Big) | Merit-based awards for tuition reduction or full funding to attract top international talent. |
| Across Locations | Merit/Achievement | Merit-Based Scholarships | Exceptional academic performance, high test scores (JAMB/A-levels), or outstanding CGPA. |
| Across Locations | Financial Situation | Need-Based Scholarships | Demonstrated financial inability to pay for educational expenses. |
| Across Locations | Demographics/Course | Targeted/Special Criteria Scholarships | Scholarships for specific groups (e.g., Women in STEM) or specific fields of study (e.g., Engineering). |
List of Undergraduate Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Getting an undergraduate scholarship as a Nigerian student involves applying for both highly competitive international awards and local corporate/government schemes. Here is a list of major undergraduate scholarships, including fully funded and partial options, with their typical coverage and general eligibility criteria.
| Scholarship Program | Host Location | Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Eligibility Criteria for Nigerians |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | International (USA, Canada, Africa, etc.) | Fully Funded | Full tuition, accommodation, books, stipend, and travel costs. Includes leadership training. | Academic excellence, demonstrated financial need, proven leadership potential, and commitment to returning to contribute to Africa. |
| Reach Oxford Scholarship | International (University of Oxford, UK) | Fully Funded | Full course fees, annual grant for living costs, and one return air ticket per year. | Must be from a low-income country (Nigeria is eligible). Must demonstrate the highest academic ability and be unable to study for a degree in their home country. |
| NNPC/SEPLAT JV National Undergraduate Scholarship | Local (Nigerian Universities) | Partial (Annual Grant) | A substantial yearly financial grant to support educational costs. | Must be a Nigerian student in 2nd year or above. Must be studying an eligible course (e.g., Engineering, Sciences, Business). Requires a high CGPA (e.g., 3.5/4.0 or 4.5/5.0). |
| Chevron/Star Deepwater (Agbami) Scholarship | Local (Nigerian Universities) | Partial (Annual Grant) | Annual scholarship award for the duration of the degree program. | Must be a full-time university student. Highly competitive; typically requires excellent academic scores (high Jamb/O-Level) or a high CGPA (e.g., 3.5+). |
| Bet9ja Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship | Local (Nigerian Public Universities) | Full Tuition | Covers the full cost of tuition fees for the duration of the award. | Must be a student in a public Nigerian university. Must maintain a high CGPA (e.g., 4.0 and above on a 5.0 scale). |
| FGN/FSB Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA/EBA) | Local (Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions) | Partial (Bursary) | Financial bursary or grant, typically a fixed amount per session. | Must be an undergraduate student in an eligible Nigerian public tertiary institution. Awards often prioritize certain fields (e.g., Education, Science). |
| University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship | International (UK) | Partial (Tuition Discount) | Up to £30,000 total (£10,000 per year), applied as a tuition fee discount. | Must be domiciled in an eligible African country (Nigeria included). Must be applying for direct first-year entry with strong pre-university qualifications (e.g., A-levels, IB, recognized Foundation). |
| University of Bristol Think Big Undergraduate Scholarship | International (UK) | Partial (Tuition Discount) | Awards of £6,500 or £13,000, applied as a tuition fee discount. | Must be classified as an international student for fees purposes and must have received an offer for an eligible full-time undergraduate course. |
Also Read: Fully Funded International Scholarships For Nigerian Students
Details of Top Undergraduate Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Here are the details of top undergraduate scholarships available to Nigerian students:
1. Reach Oxford Scholarship (Fully Funded – International)
The Reach Oxford Scholarship is a highly competitive, fully-funded award offered by the University of Oxford, UK, specifically targeting students from low-income countries, including Nigeria, who face political or financial barriers to studying for a degree in their home country. This prestigious scholarship provides comprehensive financial coverage, including 100% of course fees, college fees, an annual grant for living costs (a generous stipend), and one return airfare per year. Eligibility is based on outstanding academic ability (applicants must secure an offer of admission to Oxford), significant financial need, and a demonstrated social commitment, with scholars expected to return to their home country after graduation. Applicants must first secure admission to their desired undergraduate course at Oxford via UCAS, then submit a separate scholarship application by the given deadline.
| Benefits | Fully Funded: 100% tuition/college fees, substantial annual living grant, and one return airfare per year. |
| Eligibility | Must be from a low-income country (Nigeria eligible). Highest academic ability. Must secure Oxford admission first. Must commit to returning to home country. |
| Application Process | 1. Apply for Oxford admission via UCAS by Oct. 15. 2. Receive an offer. 3. Submit the separate online Reach Oxford Scholarship application form. |
| Deadlines | Early February |
2. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Fully Funded – International)
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) is a robust, fully-funded scholarship initiative offered across a network of global partner institutions (including universities in the US, Canada, and Africa like ALU and KNUST) for high-achieving, service-oriented young African students who face financial hardship. The scholarship is comprehensive, covering full tuition fees, housing, all required books and supplies, a monthly living stipend, and air travel costs, in addition to providing valuable leadership development, mentoring, and career support. Eligibility is strict, requiring applicants to be citizens of an African country, demonstrate outstanding academic talent and a proven record of leadership and community engagement, and exhibit the intent to return to their home country to drive social and economic change. Application is made directly through the individual partner university, not the Mastercard Foundation itself.
| Benefits | Fully Funded: Covers tuition, housing, books, stipend, travel, and comprehensive leadership development support. |
| Eligibility | African citizen with demonstrated financial need. Academic excellence and potential for transformative leadership. Must apply to a partner institution. |
| Application Process | Apply directly to one of the MCFSP partner universities (e.g., African Leadership University, various US/UK/Canadian universities). Each partner manages its own process and form. |
| Deadlines | Varies |
3. NNPC/SEPLAT Joint Venture (JV) National Undergraduate Scholarship (Partial – Local)
The NNPC/SEPLAT JV National Undergraduate Scholarship is a major financial aid scheme offered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and SEPLAT to support Nigerian undergraduates studying in local universities. This is a partial scholarship that provides a fixed, substantial annual bursary/grant to cover educational and personal expenses. Eligibility is competitive, restricted to second-year (200-level) students or above in Nigerian Federal or State universities, pursuing courses typically within the Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, or Business disciplines. Applicants must usually maintain a high Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), often 3.5/5.0 or its equivalent, and may need to be indigenes of the company’s operational areas, although a national merit quota is also available.
| Benefits | Partial Funding: Annual financial grant (fixed bursary) for the duration of the award. |
| Eligibility | Nigerian student in a Federal/State university. 200-level or above. Minimum CGPA of 3.5/5.0 (or equivalent). Studying approved courses (Sciences, Engineering, etc.). |
| Application Process | Apply online through the designated scholarship portal (usually Scholastica). Requires uploading academic results, admission letter, and personal documents. No CBT is often required. |
| Deadlines | Typically runs March/April of the application year |
4. Chevron/Star Deepwater (Agbami) Scholarship (Partial – Local)
The Chevron/Star Deepwater (Agbami) Scholarship is a widely sought-after corporate social responsibility (CSR) scholarship in Nigeria, which awards a significant annual financial grant to eligible Nigerian undergraduate students. This partial scholarship is highly competitive, often requiring applicants to be first-year (100-level) students at the time of application, or sometimes 200-level, in a Nigerian university, and typically targets students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Selection is based on excellent academic performance, measured by O’ Level and UTME (JAMB) results (for 100-level applicants) or a high CGPA (for 200-level), with a priority often given to students from the company’s host communities in the Niger Delta, though it is a national merit-based scheme.
| Benefits | Partial Funding: Annual financial grant paid directly to the successful student. |
| Eligibility | Nigerian student in a recognized Nigerian university. Often targets 100-level or 200-level students. Studying STEM courses (Engineering, Medicine, etc.). Requires excellent O’Level/UTME scores or high CGPA. |
| Application Process | Application is strictly online via the official scholarship portal (usually Scholastica). Requires registration, profile completion, and document submission. |
| Deadlines | Typically runs June/July of the application year |
Tips for a Successful Undergraduate Scholarship Application for Nigerian Students
Winning a competitive scholarship requires more than just meeting the minimum grades. Below are detailed tips for Nigerian students to craft a truly successful and standout undergraduate scholarship application.
- Prioritize High CGPA: For local scholarships, maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5/5.0 as it is the primary screening factor.
- Start Early & Track Deadlines: Create a detailed spreadsheet and submit all applications (especially international ones) well before the closing date.
- Perfect Your Documents: Use PDF format for all uploads (transcripts, certificates) and ensure every document is clear and correctly named.
- Tailor the Essay: Do not use a generic essay. Research the sponsor’s mission and align your aspirations with their goals (e.g., talk about Nigeria’s energy future for NNPC/SEPLAT).
- Show Leadership: Provide concrete examples of leadership roles (e.g., Class Rep, club head) and community impact, not just a list of responsibilities.
- Highlight Financial Need (If Applicable): For need-based scholarships (like MCFSP), clearly and honestly articulate your financial constraints and how the scholarship will be transformative.
- Proofread Meticulously: Eliminate all typos and grammatical errors. A flawless application reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
- Get Strong Recommendations: Choose referees who know you personally and professionally. Provide them with your CV and the scholarship’s details.
- Apply to Multiple Schemes: Don’t rely on just one. Apply for both local (corporate) and international scholarships you qualify for to maximize your chances.
- Be Authentic: Share a unique personal story or challenge (the “hook”) in your essay that sets you apart from the thousands of other applicants with similar grades.
Also Read: Opportunities for Nigerian Students: Best Universities, Scholarships, & IELTS Free Admissions
FAQs
European countries like Germany or Norway are often cited for affordability, as many public universities charge no tuition fees for international students, significantly reducing the financial hurdle compared to the US or UK. For merit-based, fully-funded awards, scholarships dedicated specifically to African or Commonwealth students in the UK and Canada offer excellent, though extremely competitive, opportunities.
Yes, there are currently multiple undergraduate scholarship opportunities available for Nigerian students, both for local and international study. These include awards from corporate bodies (like NNPC/MPN JV EMOIMEE, which recently opened), state bursaries, and various private foundations. You should actively check the Federal Scholarship Board and corporate websites as new schemes open year-round.
Yes, a Nigerian student can absolutely apply for scholarships in Canada. Many Canadian universities and external organizations offer scholarships specifically for international students, and there are also global programs like the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program which partners with Canadian institutions (like McGill and UBC) and is open to African students, including Nigerians.
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