Studying abroad is a dream for millions of Nigerian and African students, but rising tuition fees and stringent currency restrictions make it increasingly difficult each year. The good news? There are dozens of fully funded scholarships available to Nigerian and African students, which can help cover tuition, flights, accommodation, books, health insurance, and sometimes even a monthly stipend.
Below is a curated list of the Top 10 most accessible and reputable scholarships Nigerian and African students can apply for in the 2025/2026 academic year, plus how Pay4Me App helps you pay application fees, SEVIS fees, visa fees, and other requirements safely in Naira.
1. Chevening Scholarship in the United Kingdom – Fully Funded
The UK government’s Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards for Nigerian students. Scholars gain automatic access to top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Leeds.
Best for: Postgraduate students - Master’s
Covers: Full tuition, visa, flights, monthly stipend, accommodation
Deadline: August–November yearly
Why Nigerian students love it: It opens global leadership and networking opportunities.
2. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in the United Kingdom – Fully Funded
This scholarship is Ideal for students from developing countries, especially in public health, engineering, agriculture, and social sciences.
Best for: Master’s programs in development-related fields.
Covers: Full tuition, airfare, visa fees, living allowance
3. DAAD Scholarship in Germany – Fully Funded
Best for: Master’s and PhD
Covers: Tuition-free studies, monthly allowance, health insurance, travel
Germany offers world-class education with no tuition, and the DAAD provides generous financial support.
Bonus: Many programs are taught in English, and Germany has strong Nigerian communities in cities like Berlin and Munich.
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Europe – Fully Funded
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is one of the most competitive globally, yet Nigerian students consistently win it every year.
Best for: Students who want to study in 2–3 different European countries.
Covers: Full tuition, €1,100 monthly stipend, travel, and housing.
5. Fulbright Foreign Student Program in the USA – Fully Funded
The Fulbright Program provides incredible academic and cultural exchange opportunities to study anywhere in the U.S.
Best for: Master’s and PhD
Covers: Tuition, flights, books, health insurance, monthly stipend
6. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program in Africa, Canada, and the United States
Best for: Undergraduate & Master’s students
Covers: Full tuition, living expenses, mentorship, leadership training
Partner universities include:
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University of Toronto
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University of British Columbia
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Arizona State University (ASU)
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Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST)
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African Leadership University (ALU)
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Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU Rwanda)
This is one of the best scholarships for first-generation Nigerian students.
7. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) Fully Funded
Best for: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Covers: Tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, monthly stipend
China has become a top destination for Nigerians due to affordable living costs and new post-graduation opportunities like the K-Visa, China’s new equivalent of the H-1B.
Affordable universities and provinces include:
8. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship in Canada – Fully Funded
This scholarship is best for top-performing Nigerian researchers in health sciences, engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences. Canada remains attractive for its immigrant-friendly pathways.
Best for: PhD
Covers: $50,000 per year for 3 years
9. Australia Awards Scholarship - Fully Funded
This scholarship is Ideal for students interested in agriculture, sustainability, mining, water science, engineering, and public policy.
Best for: Master’s degree
Covers: Full tuition, visa, flights, establishment allowance, monthly stipend
10. Türkiye Burslari Scholarship in Turkey – Fully Funded
Turkey has become increasingly popular for Nigerian students due to its modern cities, friendly environment, and strong STEM programs.
Best for: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Covers: Full tuition, accommodation, Turkish language training, flights, health insurance
Bonus Scholarships You Should Check Out
How Pay4Me App Makes Your Scholarship Journey Easier
Even when tuition is covered, students still face challenges paying:
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Application fees
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SEVIS fee
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Visa fees for the UK, Canada, the US, and Turkey
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Housing deposits
- Health Insurance & IHS Fees
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Transcript evaluations with WES, ECE, IERF, etc
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Medical exam fees
African debit/credit cards often don’t work on international portals, causing delays. Pay4Me App solves this by letting you:
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Pay international fees in Naira, Cedis, or Shillings
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Get 1–6 hour confirmations
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Avoid card failures and forex restrictions
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Track your payments in real time
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Access free mock visa interview prep (for SEVIS payments)
Conclusion
Whether you’re aiming for the UK, Canada, the U.S., China, Europe, or Australia, there are fully funded scholarships available for Nigerian students at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. And with tools like the Pay4Me App, you can complete your application payments, visa fees, and SEVIS fees quickly and safely in your local currency.
Download the Pay4Me App today to begin your scholarship journey with stress-free international payments.
