Student Scholarships in Nigeria

At the university level, students interested in scholarships have to work hard to get at least a second class upper. The different kinds of student scholarships in Nigeria include:

Government funded scholarships and bursaries: The Federal Government of Nigeria awards Scholarships to outstanding students. Some state governments also award scholarships and bursaries to their indigenes of their states.

Scholarships by Oil Companies:Some oil companies like Chevron, Shell, Exxon Mobil and Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas award scholarships to outstanding students.

• Mobil Scholarships: Mobil offers scholarships to undergraduates and postgraduate students in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. They usually focus on the Engineering and Sciences sectors. 
• Agip Oil Scholarships: Most of these awards are given to students in the Sciences department. Special attention is given to students from the oil-producing states.

Scholarships by Individuals: Some individuals offer scholarships to indigent students in Nigerian universities. An example is the Late Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship for indigent students. Information for this kind of scholarship is usually available in the newspapers and on websites.

Scholarships from Organisations:Companies that see education as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility may provide scholarships to students. MTN Foundation is an example. Here’s a link to the scholarship award.

International Scholarships:Some institutions offer international students different kinds of scholarships depending on the course of study. However, some organizations offer scholarships to students with outstanding records. They include:

The Chevening Scholarship Programme is a prestigious awards scheme that funds international postgraduate students who want to study in the UK for one academic year. Funded by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and administered by the British Council.

Requirements for the Chevening Scholarship

• Postgraduate student with proven academic success and in chosen career
• Between two and five years working experience with an excellent track record and potential to use the skills gained during your scholarship to make a difference in your country.
• Must be 21 years and above
• Must be a resident in your country when you apply and provide your birth certificate
• Good English language skills (most UK Higher Education institutions require a minimum IELTS of 6.5 for admission into postgraduate courses).

More information on the British Council Website.

The Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) was established in 2001 by thePetroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), which is a branch of the Nigerian Government's Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The purpose of the OSS is to award scholarships to top Nigerian Graduates to travel overseas in order to study postgraduate courses in areas relevant to the Oil, Gas and Solid Minerals industry.

Commonwealth Scholarships are usually publicised via daily newspapers, electronic media, the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, all Nigerian Universities and all Sate Scholarship Boards in Nigeria.

Fulbright Scholars Programme:
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program brings citizens of other countries to the United States for Master’s degree or Ph.D. study at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions.

Scholarships and Bursaries by Nigerian UniversitiesSome Nigerian universities offer bursaries and scholarships to their students every year.

You only need to ask at the Division of Students Affairs in your university.

University of Lagos Students for instance can visit this site for more information.