Numerous gifted Nigerian students may consider their aspiration of attending a prominent UK university overseas to be unattainable. One major obstacle may be the expensive living costs and tuition. Nonetheless, with so many Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Undergraduate Students in the UK available, this desire can come true.
With the help of these scholarships, deserving Nigerian students can concentrate on their academic goals in the UK by receiving funding for living expenses, housing, and tuition. T
his comprehensive guide explores the fascinating world of fully financed UK undergraduate scholarships for Nigerian students. We’ll go over well-known scholarship programs, their prerequisites, how to apply, and eligibility rules.
Here are some of the most prestigious Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Undergraduate Students
1. Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) Scholarships
The CSC provides scholarships and fellowships to talented students from Commonwealth nations to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the UK. Funded by the UK Department for Education, these scholarships offer a life-changing opportunity for academic and personal development.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission awards prestigious scholarships to exceptional individuals from eligible countries. These scholarships, offered annually to around 700 students, provide funding for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at esteemed UK universities.
So, if you possess the talent and drive to make a positive difference on the world stage, don’t let financial limitations hold you back. Explore the Commonwealth Scholarship and turn your dreams of UK postgraduate studies into reality.
See also: Fully Funded Canadian Scholarships for International Students (2024-2025)
Eligibility:
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country (Nigeria is included). You will still be eligible if you are a recognized refugee or living under a British citizen guardian.
- Apply for a full-time undergraduate degree program at a participating UK university.
- Demonstrate academic excellence with strong predicted grades.
- Possess a clear vision for your future contribution to your home country’s development.
Requirements:
- Online application form submitted through your National Nominating Body (usually the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Two references (one academic and one professional)
- A scanned copy of your passport
- A detailed university application for your chosen program
- A personal statement outlining your goals and aspirations
- Admission letter (Optional but highly recommended)
Application Process:
The application process is handled by your National Nominating Body. Contact them for specific deadlines and application procedures. Applications typically open in late spring/early summer for the following academic year.
Click here for full application details and application.
2. Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are awarded by the UK government to worthy young leaders worldwide so they can spend a year studying for a master’s degree in the UK.
While the scholarship board does not have a specific kind of candidate, it does look for people who have the motivation, foresight, and influence to provide the leadership and solutions needed to create a better future.
You can focus on achieving your career goals and making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because these scholarships fully cover the cost of the courses, flights, and housing. You will reside and study in the UK for a year.
You will get a taste of UK culture, broaden your academic and professional network, advance academically and professionally, and forge long-lasting relationships with the UK during that period. You will leave the UK after completing your studies with the knowledge and contacts need to bring your own ideas to life.
Eligibility:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country (Nigeria is included)
- Demonstrate a strong academic background (minimum upper second-class degree)
- Have a minimum of two years’ work experience (may vary for undergraduate awards)
- Possess leadership qualities and a clear vision for your future
- Meet the English language requirements of your chosen university
Who is not eligible for a Chevening Scholarship:
- Dual Citizenship: You cannot apply if you hold both British citizenship and citizenship from a non-eligible country (except for citizens of British Overseas Territories applying from Hong Kong).
- Refugee Status: You cannot be a refugee from a country that is not eligible for Chevening scholarships, even if you are residing in an eligible country as a recognized refugee.
- Government or Partner Affiliations: If you are currently employed by any of the following organizations, you are ineligible:
- UK Government Departments (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Embassies/High Commissions, Home Office, Ministry of Defense, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Department for International Trade, UK Visas and Immigration)
- British Council
- Sponsoring UK University
- Association of Commonwealth Universities Staff
- Individuals employed by Chevening in the past two years
- Relatives of those working on British Council programs
- Previous UK Government Funding: You cannot have received financial support for previous studies in the UK through another UK government scholarship program.
Requirements:
- Online application form
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Two references (one academic and one professional)
- A detailed university application for your chosen program
- A compelling personal statement outlining your goals and aspirations
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL scores meeting the program’s minimum requirement).
Application Process:
The application window typically opens in late August/September and closes in mid-November. Applications are submitted through the Chevening online portal. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in February/March, with final decisions announced in April/May.
Website: Chevening Scholarships
3. The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) National Scholarship Programme
The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), along with partners offer scholarships to support young brilliant students in their academic journey. This program aims to empower young Nigerians by recognizing academic excellence and providing financial aid.
Eligibility:
This scholarship is open to exceptional young Nigerians (aged 21-28) residing in Rivers, Imo, Delta, or Bayelsa State. To be considered, you must:
- Have excellent academic performance with a minimum of 5 As in your WAEC or NECO exams
- Be seeking admission to a full-time undergraduate program in a relevant field (engineering, geosciences, computer science, etc.)
- Demonstrate leadership qualities and a commitment to community service
- Possess excellent English language skills (minimum IELTS score of 6.5).
- Be admitted to a qualifying course at the College through the standard application process.
- Intend to return to Nigeria after finishing your studies.
- Have no prior experience studying in the UK or other developed countries.
Please note: Employees, their relatives, and those who left employment with Shell Companies, SPDC, or the College within the last five years are not eligible.
Requirements:
- Online application form
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- WAEC or NECO results
- Letter of recommendation from your principal
- Evidence of participation in extracurricular activities and community service
Application Process:
If you’re aiming for this scholarship, the application process involves two steps. First, apply for admission to any qualifying course at Imperial College London, University of Leeds, or University of Aberdeen. The specific courses are listed on their respective university websites.
Once you receive a formal offer of admission from your chosen university, you’ll then be eligible to access the scholarship application form on their website. The universities will handle the initial processing and interview shortlisted candidates before SPDC makes the final selection.
Here’s the key takeaway: Ensure your completed scholarship application reaches the chosen university before the deadline. The scholarship covers tuition, one economy return flight, and a contribution towards living expenses based on published rates by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
Click here for more information and application process.
4. Agbami Scholarship Programme
Dreaming of studying abroad at a top university but worried about the cost? The Agbami Scholarship Programme might be the answer!
This prestigious program, funded by a collaboration of Nigerian oil giants – the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, Statoil Nigeria Limited, TotalfinaElf Nigeria Limited, and Oando Plc – provides financial support to exceptional Nigerian students.
The scholarship is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, allowing them to pursue their academic goals at esteemed universities around the world, including those in the UK. So, if you’re a talented Nigerian student with aspirations for international education, explore the Agbami Scholarship Programme and turn your dream into reality.
Eligibility:
- Be a Nigerian citizen
- Have excellent academic performance with a minimum of 6 As and a maximum of 1 B in your WAEC or NECO exams
- Be seeking admission to a full-time undergraduate program in a relevant field (engineering, medicine, geosciences, etc.)
Requirements:
- Online application form
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- WAEC or NECO results
- Letter of recommendation from your principal
- A well-written essay on a specific topic related to national development
Application Process:
Before you begin your application process, take a close look at this guide to ensure you have a smooth application process:
Preparing Your Documents:
- Scan all necessary documents: Ensure you have clear digital copies of all required documents.
- Label your documents correctly: Clearly name each document according to its content to avoid confusion during upload.
- Upload with Care: Pay close attention to prompts when uploading documents to avoid mistakes.
Required Documents:
- Recent Passport Photo: Your picture should be recent (no more than 3 months old) and have a clean white background.
- School Identification: A scan of your current student ID card.
- Admission Letter (if applicable): Upload your official university admission letter if you’re applying for a postgraduate scholarship.
- Birth Certificate: A clear scan of your official birth certificate.
- O’ Level Results: A digital copy of your O’ Level exam results.
- Local Government Certificate: This document verifies your Local Government of origin in Nigeria.
The Application Process:
- Go Online: Head to the official Agbami Scholarship application portal.
- Create an Account: Register to create a user account. Once registered, you’ll be automatically logged in.
- Returning Users: If you have a registered account but haven’t completed your application, simply enter your registered email and password to log in.
- Fill in the Details: Carefully complete sections for personal information, education background, academic references, and any other required details.
- Upload Meticulously: Upload all scanned documents according to the prompts. Double-check that the names used throughout your application match exactly with the names on your documents. If there are any discrepancies, you might need to upload a sworn affidavit or certificate for clarification.
- Review and Submit: After completing the forms, review all uploaded documents to ensure there are no errors. For photo uploads, ensure it’s a passport-style picture with a white background. Once everything is confirmed, click the “submit application” button to officially apply.
- Confirmation: You should receive a confirmation email and SMS message notifying you of a successful application submission.
Important Notes:
- One Application Only: Submitting multiple applications will result in disqualification.
- Double-Check Before Submitting: Once you download your application profile for verification, you won’t be able to make changes to your submitted information.
- Verification is Mandatory: All applicants must complete the verification process after submitting their application.
By following these steps and ensuring all your documents are in order, you’ll be well on your way to submitting a strong application for the prestigious Agbami Scholarship. Remember, a little preparation can go a long way!
For more information and application process, click here.
5. Nigerian LNG Scholarship Scheme
The Nigerian LNG Scholarship Scheme, established by Nigeria LNG Limited, supports exceptional Nigerian students to pursue undergraduate studies in relevant disciplines at reputable universities worldwide, including the UK.
The Nigerian LNG Scholarship Scheme is worth N300 000 for an academic year as of the last review. The scholarship program boasts a strong track record, supporting over 2,833 Nigerian undergraduates from diverse universities.
By 2012, the program had invested more than N600 million in scholarships. A significant shift occurred in 2012 with the introduction of online applications and social media (Facebook) for announcements.
This innovative approach streamlined the selection process, reduced administrative costs, and effectively reached a wider pool of talented Nigerian students.
Eligibility:
- Be a Nigerian citizen
- Have excellent academic performance with a minimum of 6 As in your WAEC or NECO exams
- Be from an NLNG host community (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers)
- Be seeking admission to a full-time undergraduate program in a relevant field (engineering, geosciences, information technology, etc.)
You are not eligible if you:
- Scored below 200 on the UTME exam.
- Have a CGPA lower than 2.50 (or its equivalent) on a 5-point scale.
- Are currently enrolled in 3rd year (300 level) or higher at a university.
- Are already receiving a similar scholarship from another company or government agency.
- Have parents employed by the Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG).
Requirements:
- Online application form
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- WAEC or NECO results
- Letter of recommendation from your principal
- A well-written essay on a specific topic related to the oil and gas industry
Application Process:
Ready to apply? Head to the NLNG website and navigate to the “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) section. Under CSR, select “Education,” then “Scholarships.” Within the NLNG scholarship scheme, click on “NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship.
” The application process is straightforward – simply complete all required fields online and upload the necessary documents. Once everything is in order, click “Submit Application” to finalize your submission.
The application window typically opens in late April/early May and closes in June. Applications are submitted through the Nigerian LNG Scholarship Scheme portal. Shortlisted candidates undergo aptitude tests and interviews.
For more information and application process, click here.
Final Word on
By taking these steps, you can increase your chances of securing a fully funded scholarship and fulfilling your dream of studying at a prestigious UK university. Remember, with hard work, dedication, and a strategic approach, you can unlock your potential and embark on a transformative educational journey in the UK.