How to Find Fully Funded Master’s and PhD Scholarships for Nigerians

Studying for a Master’s degree or PhD can open doors to better career opportunities, advanced research and international experience. However, tuition fees, accommodation, travel and other expenses can make postgraduate education difficult to afford. This is why many Nigerian graduates search for How to Find Fully Funded Master’s and PhD Scholarships

The challenge is knowing where to look and which opportunities are worth applying for. Some scholarships cover tuition fees and living expenses, while others pay only part of the cost. Some are available to Nigerians studying abroad, whereas others support postgraduate education at Nigerian universities. This guide explains how to find legitimate opportunities, check your eligibility, prepare a competitive application and avoid common mistakes.

Related guide: Do you need NYSC before starting a postgraduate program

Where Can Nigerians Find Fully Funded Master’s and PhD Scholarships?

Start with official scholarship providers rather than relying exclusively on social media posts or scholarship blogs. These providers publish their own eligibility rules, application procedures, deadlines and funding conditions.

The following are useful starting points for Nigerians seeking postgraduate funding.

1. Federal Ministry of Education Scholarship Portal

The Federal Ministry of Education provides a central online platform for Nigerian scholarship opportunities. It is a useful place to begin when looking for government-supported funding and announcements.

Visit the Federal Ministry of Education Scholarship Portal to explore the programmes listed there.

You can also monitor the Federal Ministry of Education’s official website, particularly its scholarship announcements and notices about opportunities offered by foreign governments and institutions.

Read each announcement carefully. Not every opportunity advertised by the ministry is for postgraduate study, and not every award covers all expenses. Some may be limited to particular countries, subjects, institutions or categories of applicants.

2. Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund is particularly relevant to Nigerians interested in approved postgraduate courses connected with petroleum, energy, engineering, science and related fields.

PTDF has offered both in-country and overseas postgraduate scholarship schemes. Depending on the particular award, support may include tuition, approved travel, health insurance and living allowances.

Visit the PTDF Scholarship Management Portal to check current announcements and application guidelines.

For example, PTDF announced its 2026/2027 In-Country Scholarship Scheme for undergraduate, Master’s and PhD study at Nigerian public universities. Its published application window ran from 27 April to 5 June 2026, so applicants researching the next cycle should monitor the official portal rather than assume the previous deadline still applies.

The fund has also advertised overseas postgraduate scholarships for approved universities and courses. Applicants must check the eligible disciplines and partner institutions for the specific cycle.

3. Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships provide opportunities for eligible candidates from Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, to pursue postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.

The relevant programmes include Master’s and PhD scholarships, although eligibility, application procedures and participating countries vary by award.

Start with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s official scholarship pages.

Commonwealth awards can cover approved tuition fees, living allowances and travel, depending on the scholarship. Some programmes also provide additional support under their published conditions.

For Master’s applicants, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is worth investigating. PhD applicants should check the separate Commonwealth PhD Scholarship requirements, including the eligibility rules and nomination procedure.

Current deadline to note: As of 13 October 2026, the official Commonwealth Master’s and PhD scholarship pages list 20 October 2026 at 16:00 British Summer Time as the closing date for the 2027/2028 cycle. Applicants should check the relevant official page and Nigeria’s applicable nomination arrangements immediately, as a national nominating agency may impose an earlier deadline.

• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

4. Chevening Scholarships

Chevening is a UK government scholarship programme for eligible international applicants pursuing a one-year Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.

It is especially relevant to applicants who can demonstrate leadership potential, a clear professional direction and plans to create an impact in their field.

Visit the official Chevening Nigeria page for eligibility requirements and application updates.

Chevening funding generally supports eligible tuition, living costs and approved travel expenses under the scheme’s conditions. It is designed for Master’s study, so applicants looking specifically for PhD funding should investigate other programmes.

Application status: The Chevening Nigeria page currently states that applications for the 2027/2028 cycle are closed. You can use the time before the next cycle to prepare your career plans, university choices, supporting information and application essays.

5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programmes allow students to study at participating universities in different countries. Some offer full scholarships to selected candidates from around the world.

Visit the official Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s page.

The official programme information explains that available full scholarships can cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa expenses and a living allowance.

To apply, you normally choose a programme from the official catalogue and submit your application directly to the institution or consortium running it.

This is a useful route for Nigerians seeking Master’s funding in areas such as science, technology, public policy, environmental studies, education and other disciplines represented in the catalogue.

Applications commonly open between October and January for programmes beginning in the following academic year, but each programme sets its own timetable. Check the current course listing rather than assuming that all applications open on the same date.

6. DAAD Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service, commonly known as DAAD, provides information about scholarship opportunities for international students and researchers.

Some programmes support postgraduate study in Germany, including selected Master’s and doctoral pathways. Eligibility and funding vary by scheme, academic subject and applicant background.

Start with the official DAAD scholarship database.

Search for opportunities that accept Nigerian applicants and match your intended qualification. Read the course requirements carefully because some schemes require relevant professional experience, particular academic qualifications or admission to an eligible programme.

Do not assume that every scholarship listed on DAAD’s website is fully funded or available for every field of study.

7. Scholarships Offered Directly by Universities

Universities can be an important source of postgraduate funding. Some offer scholarships funded by the institution, research grants, graduate assistantships or awards linked to particular departments.

If you already know the country or subject you want to study, search the official websites of universities that offer relevant programmes.

For each university, look for pages titled:

• Graduate scholarships or postgraduate funding.
• International student scholarships.
• Fully funded PhD positions.
• Research studentships.
• Graduate teaching or research assistantships.
• Departmental funding opportunities.

For PhD applicants, individual research groups may advertise funded doctoral positions tied to specific projects. Such positions can have different application procedures from general university scholarships.

Before applying, confirm whether the funding covers tuition, living expenses, research costs and any other expenses you would need to pay.

Also read: How to Choose the Right School for Your Postgraduate Studies in Nigeria

How to Tell Whether a Scholarship Is Fully Funded

The phrase fully funded is useful, but you should not rely on the label alone. Read the award’s official funding terms to establish exactly what the sponsor will pay for.

Funding component	What to check
Tuition fees	Does the scholarship pay the full tuition fee or only a portion?
Living allowance	Is there a monthly or annual stipend, and how much is it?
Accommodation	Is housing provided separately or expected to come from the stipend?
Travel	Are flights to and from the host country covered?
Health insurance	Is insurance included, and what expenses does it cover?
Visa and relocation	Are visa fees, arrival costs or relocation expenses included?
Research expenses	Are laboratory work, fieldwork, equipment or conference costs covered?
Duration	Will the award last for the full programme, subject to satisfactory progress?

A scholarship may cover all tuition fees but provide no living allowance. Another may provide a stipend but exclude international travel or certain research expenses.

For this reason, compare the actual benefits instead of choosing an opportunity simply because it is advertised as fully funded.

How to Search for Scholarships That Match Your Qualifications

Searching without a clear plan can produce hundreds of opportunities that do not match your academic background. A more targeted approach saves time and helps you focus on applications you have a realistic chance of completing.

Step 1: Decide on the qualification you want

Determine whether you are applying for a Master’s degree or a PhD.

Master’s scholarships may require a recognised Bachelor’s degree, while PhD funding often requires a relevant Master’s degree and evidence of research preparation. Some doctoral programmes have different entry arrangements, so check the university’s requirements.

Step 2: Choose your field of study

Identify your preferred subject and a few closely related alternatives.

For example, an applicant interested in public health might search for scholarships in epidemiology, health policy, global health and health systems research, provided the applicant meets the entry requirements.

Do not choose an unrelated course merely because it appears to have more scholarships. Your academic background, experience and proposed career direction should make sense for the programme.

Step 3: Decide whether you want to study in Nigeria or abroad

This decision helps narrow your search.

If you want to study in Nigeria, investigate government schemes, approved local scholarships, university awards and relevant research funding.

If you want to study abroad, explore international scholarship programmes, university funding pages and funded doctoral vacancies.

You can pursue both options, provided you meet the conditions of each application and can manage the application requirements.

Step 4: Use specific search terms

Instead of searching only for “scholarships for Nigerians”, use more focused phrases, such as:

• Fully funded Master’s scholarships for Nigerians 2027.
• Fully funded PhD scholarships for Nigerians.
• Nigerian government postgraduate scholarships.
• Fully funded PhD positions in Germany for international students.
• Master’s scholarships in public health for African students.
• Fully funded scholarships for Nigerian engineering graduates.
• University-funded PhD positions in computer science.

These searches can help you discover programmes relevant to your intended qualification and subject. Once you find an opportunity, move to the official provider’s website to verify it.

Step 5: Check the eligibility rules before preparing an application

Read the eligibility section and confirm that you satisfy the requirements.

Pay particular attention to:

• Nationality and country-of-residence conditions.
• Minimum degree classification or CGPA.
• Relevant academic background.
• Work experience requirements, where applicable.
• English-language test requirements.
• Age limits, if any.
• Admission requirements for the host university.
• Whether you must apply through a nominating agency.
• Whether applicants who already hold a Master’s degree can apply.

If an important condition is unclear, contact the scholarship provider or university using the official contact details on its website.

Related: Can You Apply for a PhD in Nigeria With a Bachelor’s Degree?

Documents to Prepare Before Scholarship Applications Open

Many applicants lose time because they begin gathering documents close to the deadline. Preparing a basic document folder early can make it easier to respond when suitable opportunities open.

Depending on the scholarship, you may need:

Academic documents: Degree certificates, statements of result and official transcripts from your previous institutions.

Curriculum vitae: A clear record of your education, employment, research experience, publications, awards and relevant skills.

Personal statement or motivation letter: An explanation of why you want to pursue the programme, how it relates to your background and what you intend to do with the qualification.

Research proposal: This is particularly important for many PhD opportunities. It should explain your research problem, objectives, proposed methods and potential contribution.

Recommendation letters: Identify suitable referees early and give them enough time to prepare relevant, specific recommendations.

Proof of English proficiency: Some universities or scholarship schemes require an approved English-language test. Others may grant exemptions under specified conditions.

Identification documents: You may need a valid passport or other identification documents, depending on the scheme.

Admission or supervisor information: Certain scholarships require an admission offer, a proposed supervisor or evidence of contact with a relevant research department.

Not every scholarship requires every document. Use the official checklist for the particular programme and follow its instructions for file formats, translations, certification and submission.

How to Prepare a Competitive Scholarship Application

Meeting the minimum requirements makes you eligible to be considered; it does not guarantee that you will receive funding. Your application should show a clear connection between your qualifications, the programme and your future plans.

Explain why the course fits your goals

Avoid generic statements about wanting an international degree or improving your future. Explain what you intend to learn, why the particular programme is suitable and how it relates to your academic or professional experience.

Demonstrate the value of your proposed study

Some scholarships prioritise development impact, leadership, research quality or contribution to a particular sector. Address the criteria specified by the sponsor rather than submitting the same essay to every scholarship.

Make your evidence specific

Where relevant, include examples of research projects, work achievements, community involvement, leadership responsibilities or professional contributions. Explain what you did and what you learned.

Develop a strong research proposal for PhD funding

A doctoral proposal should identify a meaningful research problem and explain how you plan to investigate it. Make sure the proposed work aligns with the expertise and resources available at the target institution.

Follow the application instructions exactly

Check word limits, reference requirements, document formats, university choices and submission deadlines. An otherwise strong application can be weakened by missing information or failure to follow instructions.

How to Avoid Scholarship Scams

Scholarship applicants can be targeted by individuals who promise guaranteed admission or funding in exchange for money. Be especially careful when an offer arrives through an unofficial social media account or a private message.

Watch out for these warning signs:

• Someone promises a scholarship without reviewing your eligibility.
• You are asked to pay an individual to secure a scholarship slot.
• The application link does not match the official provider’s website.
• You are pressured to pay immediately to avoid losing an award.
• The supposed scholarship cannot be found on the sponsor’s official website.
• You are asked to send sensitive documents to an unverified email address or account.
• The advertised funding benefits cannot be confirmed in the official terms.

Some legitimate institutions charge application fees for admission, and not every scholarship-related payment is automatically fraudulent. However, verify the requirement directly with the institution before paying.

For Commonwealth scholarships, the Commission advises applicants to use its official website and application systems and warns against unauthorised organisations requesting personal information or supporting documents.

A safe rule: Find the opportunity through a trusted source, verify it on the official provider’s website and submit your application through the stated process. Never pay a stranger who claims to have influence over the selection committee.

A Simple Scholarship Application Plan

You do not need to apply for every scholarship you discover. A focused list of suitable opportunities is usually easier to manage than a large collection of deadlines you cannot meet.

Use this checklist to organise your search:

• I have chosen my intended degree and field of study.
• I have identified scholarships that accept Nigerian applicants.
• I have checked the minimum academic requirements.
• I have confirmed what the funding covers.
• I have checked the official deadline and application route.
• I have prepared my academic documents and CV.
• I have identified suitable referees.
• I have prepared a motivation letter or research proposal where required.
• I have checked whether a separate university admission application is necessary.
• I have saved the official scholarship link and application confirmation.

Keep a spreadsheet or document containing the scholarship name, official link, degree level, eligible subject, funding coverage, deadline, required documents and application status. Update it whenever the provider publishes new information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nigerians get fully funded Master’s scholarships abroad?

Yes. Nigerian applicants can apply for international schemes that accept candidates from Nigeria, including eligible Commonwealth Master’s awards and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programmes. Selection is competitive, and each programme has its own requirements.

Can Nigerians get fully funded PhD scholarships?

Yes. Opportunities can come from government scholarship programmes, international sponsors, universities and funded research projects. Check whether the funding covers tuition, living expenses and the full expected duration of your doctoral programme.

Do I need First Class to get a fully funded scholarship?

Not always. Academic requirements vary by sponsor and programme. Some opportunities require a particular degree classification, while others consider a wider range of academic and professional evidence. Always check the published eligibility rules.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

You can often apply for multiple opportunities if you meet their conditions. However, some awards restrict simultaneous funding or require you to declare other scholarships. Check the rules and do not accept incompatible awards without clarification.

Are all government scholarships fully funded?

No. Government scholarships can differ in their benefits. Some cover tuition and living costs, while others provide partial funding or cover only specific expenses. Read the award terms before applying.

When should I start searching for scholarships?

Start several months before your intended admission period. Some programmes open applications well in advance, and you may need time to obtain transcripts, secure recommendations, prepare a research proposal and apply for university admission.

Do I need an admission letter before applying for a scholarship?

It depends on the programme. Some scholarships require an admission offer before submission, others allow you to apply for funding and admission around the same time, and some have their own selection process. Follow the specific instructions for your award.

Conclusion

Finding fully funded Master’s and PhD scholarships for Nigerians is easier when you know where to search and how to verify each opportunity. Begin with official sources such as the Federal Ministry of Education, PTDF, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD and university funding pages.

Then narrow your options by qualification, subject, eligibility and funding coverage. Prepare your documents early, tailor each application to the sponsor’s criteria and verify deadlines directly with the provider. Most importantly, do not assume that a scholarship is fully funded just because an advert says so.

For more postgraduate admission guidance, scholarship updates and school-fee information, explore the relevant guides on MasterPG.com.ng.