Scholarships for Nigeria Students: Discovering fully funded study abroad scholarships for Nigerian students at various education levels, including secondary school, undergraduate, and graduate, holds significant importance. This is particularly crucial due to the elevated cost of education in Nigeria, which poses a substantial burden on both economically disadvantaged families and those with moderate incomes.
Numerous parents endure considerable financial hardship in their efforts to provide their children with access to education, given the limited financial resources at their disposal.
Nonetheless, Nigeria boasts more than 35 companies that provide scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, presenting a remarkable opportunity for individuals to pursue their education without the burden of tuition fees.
You, too, have the chance to embark on a scholarship-funded academic journey!
Scholarships for Nigeria Students
Scholarships represent financial awards or stipends designed to support a student’s educational pursuits, granted on the basis of academic excellence or other noteworthy achievements.
Scholarships come in various forms, with the most common categories being merit-based and need-based. The entity providing the scholarship, whether it’s a donor or a department, establishes the criteria for selecting recipients, and the terms and conditions of how the funds can be utilized are explicitly outlined.
These funds serve to alleviate the expenses associated with education, encompassing tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meals, and other direct educational costs incurred at the university.
Scholarships are typically granted using a range of criteria, which may encompass academic performance, involvement in departmental and community activities, work experience, chosen field of study, and demonstrated financial need, among other factors.
Motives for Pursuing Scholarships in Nigeria
- Financial Support for Tuition Fees:
Scholarships offer financial aid that can effectively cover your tuition expenses. - Comprehensive Expense Coverage:
Scholarships extend their support beyond tuition fees to encompass vital costs like transportation and accommodation. - Enhancement of Your Resume:
Scholarships can significantly enhance your résumé by showcasing your dedication to academic excellence and personal development. - Access to Professional Mentorship:
Earning a scholarship can grant you access to valuable mentorship and guidance from esteemed professors and experienced industry leaders in your chosen field. - Networking and Professional Connections:
Scholarships open doors to form meaningful connections and build professional relationships with accomplished individuals, enabling you to interact with high-achievers in your field.
The Scholarship Application Procedure in Nigeria
Scholarship grants involve a structured process comprising specific prerequisites and stages that aspiring recipients must navigate to qualify for these awards.
1. Issuance of Application Notice
Scholarship opportunities are typically extended to eligible students by awarding organizations. They solicit applications through various means such as their official websites, newspapers, emails, and other public announcements.
Once the call for applications is announced, numerous students from across the nation typically submit their applications. The awarding company then meticulously reviews the multitude of applications and selects qualified candidates for subsequent examinations or interviews.
The key to success at this juncture is prompt and well-prepared application submission. Successfully advancing through this stage brings you one step closer to securing the scholarship.
2. Examination/Interview Phase
The awarding organization utilizes predetermined criteria to assess and identify eligible students from the pool of submitted applications. These selected students will then proceed to the next phase, which may involve a qualifying examination, an interview, or, in rare instances, a combination of both.
When you receive an invitation to participate in a scholarship examination, it’s advisable to acquire previous exam questions from the same scholarship program. This will help you become familiar with the types of questions typically posed by the organization.
Most companies inform candidates of their selection for exams or interviews through email and SMS notifications, while some exclusively publish names on their official websites. Therefore, it’s essential to remain connected to sources of information to stay updated as the various stages unfold.
The email or SMS invitation for the examination will typically include crucial details such as the date, venue, time, the format of the exam, and the expected code of conduct.
Approach the examination with a serious mindset. Ensure punctuality and adhere to the ethical guidelines and conduct expected of candidates before, during, and after the examination.
3. Validation Phase
Companies that offer scholarships do so with meticulous care and scrutiny to ensure that awards or grants are granted exclusively to deserving and eligible candidates.
To verify the eligibility of prospective awardees, these companies dispatch their representatives to visit the schools attended by the candidates. During these visits, they confirm the students’ enrollment status, academic performance (including CGPA), and educational level.
The eligibility criteria outlined during the application stage serve as the foundation for this verification process. Despite the financial capacity of many of these companies, including multinational oil and gas corporations, they exercise judicious use of their resources by conducting thorough verifications.
Verification is often conducted through channels such as the office of the Head of Department or the office of the Dean. It is imperative that candidates submit authentic and accurate documents, as any discrepancies or fraudulent documents are likely to be exposed during this verification process.
At this stage, all you can do is remain hopeful, wait patiently, and hope for a positive outcome!
4. Granting Phase
This stage is a moment of joy for students as it marks the culmination of their hard work and dedication.
Following the examination and student verification phases, the companies will grant scholarships to deserving and successful students. Award notifications may be communicated to these students through various means, including email, text messages, or formal letters sent to their schools. However, the general announcement of the award will typically be made online.
It’s important to note that while the award has been secured, the award letter itself does not contain actual cash. Thus, it’s crucial to carefully review the award letter to understand the terms and conditions associated with the scholarship.
The award letter will also outline the payment process. Most companies will transfer funds directly to your personal bank account, while others may require you to open a specific type of account with a designated bank in Nigeria to receive your payment.
To ensure timely receipt of your scholarship funds, it is imperative that you fulfill the requirements specified in the award letter.
One potential obstacle to scholarship success is becoming complacent after winning a scholarship. It’s essential to resist the temptation of feeling that you have achieved your goals and continue actively pursuing other scholarship opportunities. There are always more awards to be won and additional financial support to be gained through them. Why not aim for even greater success?
How to Apply for Scholarship in Nigeria
Below are the correct steps for a successful scholarship application in Nigeria.
- Establish Your Objective
As a prospective scholar, it’s crucial to determine whether your preference lies with local scholarships or international scholarships. This decision should be influenced by several factors.
If you have progressed beyond the 300-level in your academic journey, concentrating on local scholarships is often the more prudent choice. This is because you have invested a significant portion of your study years within the country, and it may not be advantageous to forgo those years to begin anew abroad.
However, if you are a freshman, you can consider pursuing both local and international scholarships concurrently.
Additionally, establish a clear goal regarding the number of scholarships you aim to secure.
2. Get timely information at your fingertips
One of the most significant distinctions between a successful individual and one who achieves less is the caliber of information available to them.
Similarly, when it comes to students securing scholarships, the difference between those who succeed and those who do not often boils down to the quality of information they possess.
Despite the presence of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of students across various universities in Nigeria, only a scant few are well-informed about student scholarships. Even among this select group, some choose to keep this knowledge to themselves.
It’s important to understand that those who engage in this secrecy have often paid a price to obtain valuable information that others may be reluctant to pay. This situation, though regrettable, has enabled average and even below-average students to consistently win multiple scholarships due to their access to timely and high-quality information.
I strongly encourage you to relentlessly seek access to top-notch information. Always remember that in order to reap, you must sow. Therefore, invest in the scholarship process to ultimately reap bountiful rewards.
3. Submit Your Application Promptly
As the saying goes, “adequate preparation prevents inadequate outcomes.”
It’s important to recognize that companies offering scholarships have a limited number of awards to grant. As they near this limit, the selection criteria tend to become more stringent.
Submitting your application early is the wisest course of action, and I strongly urge you to adhere to this principle if you aspire to succeed in your pursuit of a scholarship.
4. Become Part of Genuine Scholarship Communities
Scholarship groups serve as invaluable platforms for receiving coaching and mentorship on securing both local and international scholarships.
Being a member of these communities ensures you have access to timely, high-quality information regarding scholarship opportunities, both at the local and international levels, as they become available. This proactive approach helps you prepare and position yourself strategically for success in your scholarship endeavors.
It’s important to understand that in the scholarship application process, only students who are well-informed about specific opportunities are able to apply promptly. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, access to timely and quality information is often not readily available for free.
5. Utilize Previous Exam Papers
One of the most effective tools for excelling in scholarship exams in Nigeria is the use of past questions.
Incorporating past questions into your exam preparation strategy provides a significant and competitive advantage over other students who may not be aware of this valuable resource.
Past questions serve two primary purposes:
- First, they familiarize you with the types of questions that are likely to appear in the exam, allowing you to tailor your preparation accordingly.
- Second, many examiners often recycle old questions with minimal modifications due to time constraints. As a result, if you study these past questions before your exam and encounter similar questions during the actual test, it can significantly enhance your chances of success, making the exam feel like a manageable task.
6. Submit Multiple Scholarship Applications
As you commence the application process, consider applying for as many scholarships as you qualify for. The rationale behind this approach is that it’s difficult to predict which one will yield a successful outcome. Restricting yourself to just a few applications could potentially mean missing out on valuable opportunities.
The prevailing wisdom is to persist in applying as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Engaging in this process doesn’t cause any harm to your physical well-being or your spirit; instead, it maximizes your chances of securing financial support for your educational pursuits.
7. Adhere to Eligibility Requirements
Not every scholarship will be a suitable match for your qualifications.
Many scholarships establish specific criteria tailored to particular groups or types of students. These criteria might be based on academic level, CGPA, state of origin, age, JAMB score, or department of study, among others.
It is your responsibility to meticulously review the eligibility requirements before applying. This step helps you identify whether you meet the necessary qualifications, thereby conserving valuable time, effort, and resources that can be redirected towards pursuing other scholarship opportunities.
8. Create a Scholarships List
Just as a traveler must determine their destination and route before embarking on a journey, it’s essential to create a list of the scholarships you intend to pursue in your scholarship journey.
This list should include vital information such as the awarding organizations and their respective websites, eligibility criteria for each scholarship, the monetary value of the awards, and the typical application periods. This organized approach will help you navigate your scholarship pursuit more effectively.
9. Pursue Guidance and Mentorship
Learning from individuals who have already paved the way in a specific field offers significant advantages, primarily in helping you steer clear of mistakes your mentors may have made.
Therefore, it’s highly beneficial to acquire a mentor.
When selecting the ideal mentor, focus on finding someone with a proven track record in scholarship pursuit. Attributes such as their location, age, gender, or professional title are inconsequential compared to their possession of the essential knowledge and results that can assist you in your quest for scholarships.
10. Assemble Your Documentation
Emphasizing the significance of planning cannot be stressed enough in your scholarship application journey.
Simply harboring a desire for multiple scholarship awards isn’t sufficient; you must exert diligent and purposeful efforts to secure these accolades.
One crucial step that many students either deliberately or inadvertently overlook is the meticulous gathering and organization of essential documents required for scholarship applications.
Ensure you have the following essential documents readily available as they serve as the foundation for your online scholarship applications:
- A recent colored passport photograph with a white background.
- Your original birth certificate or a court-issued age declaration document.
- The original admission letter from your institution.
- The original certificate of origin.
- Your original student identity card from your school.
- The original copy of your WAEC or NECO result.
- Your JAMB UTME result.
- Proof of your CGPA for students in their second year and beyond (last sessional result is acceptable).
Once you’ve gathered these essential documents, it’s advisable to scan and store them in your email. This approach keeps your documents easily accessible for timely application, even from your mobile device.
By preparing your documents as described above, you not only save on the cost of scanning repeatedly but also gain an advantage in beating others to the application process.
It’s important to note that each scholarship may have specific document requirements. These requirements may encompass all, some, or additional documents beyond the ones listed above. Therefore, carefully review the eligibility section of each scholarship to determine the necessary documentation.
Furthermore, some scholarships may specify particular size and format requirements for the documents, such as PDF, JPG, PNG, or JPEG. It is advisable to adhere to these requirements diligently, as even seemingly minor oversights could lead to disqualification. Scholarship providers receive numerous applications annually and may scrutinize applications for any errors or deviations.
11. Sustain a Strong CGPA
Securing a scholarship is a noteworthy accomplishment, but maintaining and preserving it requires careful attention to the rules and requirements that govern it.
Many times, students hear of others winning scholarships only to lose them due to a lack of awareness.
Yes, you’ve earned the scholarship, but there are specific terms and conditions that you must adhere to diligently, or else your award could be terminated.
Annually, scholarship providers typically visit schools to verify the academic standing of students on their list of awardees. During this process, they may ask you to obtain a letter from your school authorities confirming your current academic status. These letters are usually issued by Heads of Departments and Deans of Faculties, detailing your academic level, department, and most recent CGPA, complete with the requisite stamp and signature.
Such requests are often communicated via email to scholarship recipients. This verification procedure occurs annually, and disbursements are made only to students who successfully pass the verification process.
This verification is crucial to ensure that scholarship beneficiaries maintain their student status and continue to excel academically.
Every scholarship award comes with terms and conditions that govern it. To continue benefiting from the scholarship, recipients must adhere to these terms and conditions. While the specific terms may be outlined in the scholarship award letter or email, here are three general conditions:
Academic Excellence: Most scholarships require that recipients maintain a certain level of academic performance, often expressed as a minimum GPA or CGPA. Failing to meet this requirement can result in the scholarship’s termination.
Full-Time Enrollment: Many scholarships mandate that recipients be full-time students, so part-time enrollment or dropping below a certain credit load could jeopardize your award.
Good Conduct: Scholars are usually expected to maintain good conduct and adhere to the code of conduct of their institution. Any serious violations may lead to the scholarship’s revocation.
To secure and retain your scholarship successfully, it’s imperative to understand and abide by these terms and conditions.
12. Cultivate a Prayerful Attitude
God bestows His blessings as He chooses and will certainly favor your endeavors as you embrace the principles and insights outlined in this post.
While you embark on your scholarship journey, it’s essential to consistently seek God’s grace to excel and surpass your peers.
Fully Funded Study Abroad Scholarships for Nigerian Students in 2023
- Agbami Scholarship
- David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarship
- Federal Government Scholarship
- Jim Ovia Foundation Scholarship
- MTN Scholarship
- Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Scholarship
- NNPC/Seplat Energy Scholarship
- NNPC/Total Scholarship
- OPM Scholarship
- PTDF Scholarship
- Secondary School Scholarship
- Shell Scholarship
Conclusion
Scholarships represent a remarkably accessible and cost-free avenue for pursuing education abroad.
This opportunity can potentially benefit anyone, regardless of their financial background, status, or circumstances.
Through scholarships, numerous Nigerians have gained access to high-quality education.
Wishing you all the best in your scholarship pursuits.
