ongoing scholarships available for Nigerian students in 2026; Here is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to ongoing scholarships available for Nigerian students in 2026 — both within Nigeria and internationally. These opportunities include fully funded, partial funded, undergraduate, postgraduate, and special programmes. Deadlines and requirements vary, so start preparing early!
READ THIS: No Student Is Allowed To Hold Two Admissions Concurrently 2026
1. International Fully Funded Scholarships (Study Abroad)
ongoing scholarships available for Nigerian students in 2026; These are global scholarships open to Nigerian students for undergraduate, master’s, PhD or graduate study abroad.
Global / Intercontinental Programmes
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Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) – Fully funded graduate scholarship covering tuition, living stipend, travel, and more. Deadline: Feb 27, 2026.
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Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship 2026/2027 – Fully funds undergraduate and postgraduate studies in partner countries. Deadline: Jan 31, 2026.
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Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) – Master’s degree funding for students from Commonwealth countries (including Nigeria). Deadline: Jan 14, 2026.
Europe Scholarships
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Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships 2026 – For selected multidisciplinary master’s programmes across Europe. Includes tuition, stipend, travel, and insurance. Deadlines vary (usually early 2026).
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Programmes include: JANUS (Applied Security and Defence), META (Manufacturing 4.0), GLOBED (Education Policy).
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DAAD Scholarships (Germany) – Funded by the German government for international students (masters/PhD). Deadlines vary depending on programme.
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Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Covers study/research in Switzerland with a monthly stipend and full fees.
United Kingdom
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University of Manchester Humanitarian Scholarship – Supports postgraduate students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need. Deadline: Mar 31, 2026.
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University of Southampton GREAT Scholarship – Up to £10,000 tuition support for select postgraduate programmes.
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Chevening Scholarships (UK Government) – Fully funded master’s awards for future leaders; applications open later in 2026.
North America & Australia
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Australia Awards Scholarships 2026 – Full support for study in Australian universities.
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Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University) – Full funding for graduate study at Stanford, USA.
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McCall MacBain Scholarship (McGill University, Canada) – Fully funds master’s programmes at McGill.
Middle East / Other Regions
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Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships (Qatar) – Fully funded programmes (various fields).
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TaiwanICDF International Higher Education Scholarship – Tuition, living stipends for study in Taiwan. Deadline: Mar 15, 2026.
2. National Scholarships and Nigerian-Focused Opportunities
These are scholarships available within Nigeria or specifically targeting Nigerian students studying locally or abroad.
Federal & Government-Linked Scholarships
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Federal Government Scholarship (BEA – Bilateral Education Agreement) – Supports study abroad (countries like Russia, China, Hungary, etc.) for undergraduates and postgraduates. Includes tuition and living allowances. Application period: usually early in the year (e.g., Jan–Mar 2026).
Industry / Corporate Scholarships
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NNPC/Chevron Scholarship – For students in engineering and sciences. Provides tuition plus stipend. Application: May–June 2026.
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Agbami Medical & Engineering Scholarship – Targets medical and engineering students with annual funds. Application: Apr–May 2026.
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Shell SPDC JV Scholarship – Assistance for undergraduates across disciplines. Application: Jun–Jul 2026.
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PTDF Undergraduate Scholarship – Petroleum Technology Development Fund support for oil/gas-related programmes; includes fees, living stipend. Application: Jul–Aug 2026.
Foundation-Led and Private Scholarships
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Jim Ovia Foundation Scholarship – Supports talented students with tuition and accommodation. Application: May–Jun 2026.
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Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship – For indigent but academically strong students. Application: Jul–Aug 2026.
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Lagos State Scholarship – For indigenes of Lagos State covering tuition and stipends. Application: Jun–Jul 2026.
Other Opportunities
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Mastercard Foundation Scholarship – Full support for academically strong but financially constrained students, including study abroad options. Application: Mar–May 2026.
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Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2026 – Youth development initiative with stipend.
3. Other Ongoing Academic & Research Funding
ongoing scholarships available for Nigerian students in 2026; These are additional opportunities (not strictly traditional degree scholarships) that can support education, research, or professional development in 2026:
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Merck Group Innovation Cup Summer Camp 2026 – Fully funded science/innovation programme.
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Global Future Forum 2026 – Fully funded leadership event/exchange.
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Creative Industries Fund NL Talent Development Grant – Grants for creative/arts projects.
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Climate & Journalism Scholarships (e.g., CIJ Climate Investigations) – Funding for specific training.
Tips for Applicants
✅ Check eligibility early. Most scholarships require academic records, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, and personal statements.
✅ Prepare application documents now. Many deadlines fall in January–March 2026.
✅ Focus on fit. Some scholarships target specific fields (e.g., engineering, agriculture, policy, leadership).
✅ Watch official portals. Always apply through official scholarship webpages — government, universities, or funding bodies — to avoid scams.