Through the years, Nigeria has emerged as one of the most developed countries in Africa, particularly in the western African region. As the most populous nation of Africa, education is a valuable necessity that many Nigerians are taking seriously.
Many Nigerians look to other countries for higher education, may it be just within Africa or other continents such as Europe and Asia. This doesn’t mean that education in Nigeria should be ignored and overlooked. Students within the region go to Nigeria for their higher education. Here, we will be looking at the best scholarships in Nigeria for international students.
With the current pace of Nigeria’s development, it is poised to be a powerhouse not just in the region but in the continent or even the world.
Related Scholarships
Living Costs in Nigeria for International Students
As a developing nation and one of the most developed in Africa, Nigeria has a high cost of living. Living in its major cities has become more expensive than other major European cities such as London and Helsinki. Rent for a single person is ranges from ₦40000 to ₦150000 depending on the location. Public transport costs around ₦200 while other utilities such as mobile, internet, and house expenses can set a student back by around ₦30000.
Can International Students Work in Nigeria?
Students are not provided a specific student visa. They should obtain a Subject to Regularization visa before turning it into a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card. Since this serves as a work and a residence permit, international students can perform work in Nigeria. Still, it is best to consult the embassy on what is and isn’t allowed with the visa.
Top Universities in Nigeria
The top universities in Nigeria include the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, and Lagos State University, all three of which rank consistently in international rankings and are found in the major cities of Ibadan and Lagos—Lagos being a major economic hub in Africa. Covenant University, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and the Obafemi Awolowo University also rank high in national rankings in Nigeria.
Best Scholarships in Nigeria
1. Pan-African University Scholarships
The Pan African University was established to provide excellent postgraduate education in the African continent. Various countries in the continent host Pan African Universities including Kenya, Cameroon, Algeria, and Nigeria.
To attract young, talented applicants with leadership potential, the PAU provides full scholarships to those who will be successfully admitted. After obtaining the degree, the graduate is required to serve in a member country of the African Union equivalent to how long the scholarship was provided.
Graduate students interested in taking up programs related to the following are the target of this Nigeria scholarship: environmental management, geosciences (mineral exploration and petroleum geosciences), health sciences (reproductive biology and reproductive health), and plant breeding.
Full scholarships are awarded to the international student at the University of Ibadan and are tenable for 24 and 36 months for master’s and doctoral degrees respectively. They are also provided an economy return air ticket and a stipend worth $750 and $1100 for master’s and Ph.D. students, respectively.
2. DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program Nigeria
The University of Ibadan is the host university for this in-country and in-region scholarship funded by the German government. Intending to develop knowledge, research, and education in Sub-Saharan Africa, the DAAD has cooperated with Nigeria—specifically the University of Ibadan—to provide a total of 15 scholarships. Five of these are in-country (meaning these will be Nigerian citizens) while the remaining ten will be for international students from a sub-Saharan country.
Only master’s studies in Fisheries Management and Energy Studies are included in this scholarship in Nigeria. These master’s degrees are typically concluded after 1.5 years but the scholarship will only be initially provided for one year, subject to extension based on individual performance. Eligible scholars are provided the full amount of the tuition fee, an annual study allowance of €460, a printing allowance of €400, a monthly allowance of €450, and a flat rate for the travel allowance (to be determined).
3. Covenant University International Excellence Scholarship
The Covenant University is a private university which is found in the city of Ota, one of the top universities in Nigeria, and one of the top universities in Africa which promotes the Christian ethos. International students that look for Christianity inclined universities to pursue their master’s degrees should try to apply for this scholarship. To separate the scholarship from Nigerian students, the university has made this scholarship exclusively for international students.
Disciplines pursued in the master’s studies include leadership, engineering, technology, social science, and business, among others and will be tenable by the student for 18 months. This scholarship in Nigeria is divided into three levels: a 100% tuition fee waiver, a 75% tuition fee waiver, and a 50% tuition fee waiver depending on the assessment of the university. Typical master’s degrees have total tuition fees amounting to ₦1,000,000 for the two-year study.
4. UNILAG African Cluster Center Doctoral Scholarships
The University of Lagos is a public research university in the city of Lagos. As one of the top universities in the world, the UNILAG promotes African studies as well as the African diaspora, which is why the university has established a doctoral scholarship under the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS). Students who are working on the following disciplines are eligible and will be a good fit for this scholarship: African history, traditional religion, herbal medicine, philosophy, musicology, and languages and literature, among others.
Chosen doctoral students should already be enrolled in UNILAG and will be provided a scholarship value of ₦1,000,000 ($2500) for a one-year duration, with a preference on students who are in the advanced stages of their research work. Scholars may also have teaching loads whenever necessary as a way to assist and collaborate with their advisors.
5. Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) Fellowships
For students who are interested in pursuing a career in research, the FLAIR Fellowships is established to provide an avenue for potential researchers and leaders to exact changes and solve challenges in developing countries. This is part of the Global Challenges Research Fund from the UK Government, and one of the host countries in Africa is Nigeria. Eligible applicants should already have a Ph.D. by the time they apply for this fellowship.
For those postdoctoral researchers chosen, they are eligible to receive an annual amount of £150,000 which will go to their expenses, travel, accommodation costs, equipment expenses, training expenses, among others. The fellowship is tenable for two years upon its award which can be renewed as necessary for three more years.
