Finding funding as a student can be pretty tough. Good news: there are often more options than you think. You just need to know where to look. We’ve done a funding search for you and broken down the most appealing options for Nigerian students in this article.
Applying for scholarships from African countries has its challenges. As a continent that is still developing (for the most part), we don’t have as many structured bursary or scholarship programmes as first world countries. We certainly don’t have the same search platforms to look for them — something EduOne is trying to change. While they may be a little harder to find, there are bursaries, grants and scholarships available to African students.
These scholarships or grants are awarded based on a number of criteria, ranging from academic merit, socio-economic background, gender, field of study or simply which country you call home.
Funding Opportunities for Nigerians
Here is a list of some of the best options for Nigerians, whether you want to study in South Africa or fund your studies at home:
This scholarship is aimed at helping young Africans who show exceptional leadership skills to pursue a postgraduate qualification at a South African university. This scholarship does not only help you to fund your postgraduate studies, but gives you the opportunity to take part in a leadership development programme with the view of giving you the skills you need to become an exceptional African leader.
Level of study: Postgraduate
Country of Study: South Africa
Eligibility:
Candidates must:
- Be a citizen of an African Country
- Show exceptional leadership potential
- Be between the ages of 19 and 31
- Have completed their first degree by January 31, 2018
- Have a history of well above average academic performance
- Be able to attend compulsory events
Financial Scope:
Full funding for an Honours degree (up to one year), Masters degree (up to two years) or their equivalents, excluding MBA’s. This funding covers full tuition fees and includes a personal allowance, medical aid allowance, accommodation allowance, learning material allowance and travel allowance.
Extras:
This scholarship also includes the leadership development programme and a mentorship programme to help you excel in your studies.
This scholarship aims to give outstanding Nigerian students the opportunity to pursue tertiary education in Nigeria. Approximately 100 scholarships are awarded every year with the view of creating a network of Nigerian leaders who are competitive on a global level.
Level of study: Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Country of Study: Nigeria
Eligibility:
Candidates must:
- have completed secondary school and been accepted to pursue an undergraduate qualification at a Nigerian university OR have completed an undergraduate degree at a Nigerian university
- show exceptional intellectual ability
- have a leadership capability and desire to contribute to society and improve the lives of others
- express financial need
Financial Scope:
This scholarship includes tuition and a maintenance allowance for the full duration of your studies.
This scholarship is aimed at giving African students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at six of Africa’s leading universities. This is with the aim of providing Africa’s next generation with professionals who are able to address two real challenges, facing Africa’s future development: climate change and research depletion.
Level of study: Postgraduate
Country of Study: South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia
Eligibility:
Candidates must:
- Be a citizen or resident of one of the participating countries
- Have been admitted to study at one of the Higher Education Institutions, namely: the University of Ghana, Mekelle University, the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Nairobi, Stellenbosch University or the University of Nigeria (Nsukka).
- Have sufficient language skills to study in their country of choice
Financial Scope:
Funding includes tuition and registration fees as well as personal, insurance, learning material and travel allowances.
This scholarship is aimed at providing female students with the opportunity to pursue tertiary education in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) focused field.
Level of study: Undergraduate
Country of Study: Any recognised African tertiary institution
Eligibility:
Candidates must:
- Be a female student of an African origin
- Be studying a STEM related course at an African University
- Demonstrate financial need
- Have an exceptional academic record
- Be younger than 32 years of age
Financial Scope:
Scholarship winners will receive $500 a year, or an equivalent amount in their local currency.
This scholarship is aimed at giving students from Sub-Saharan African countries the ability to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. These scholarships are only awarded in a selected number of fields, namely: Architecture — in the field of Sustainable and Energy Efficient Cities (March (SEEC)), Development Planning, Built Environment — in the field of Housing and Urban Studies. There are fourteen scholarships available.
Level of study: Postgraduate (Masters degree)
Country of Study: South Africa (Wits University)
Eligibility:
Candidates must:
- Be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Have the requisite qualifications
- No more than 6 years should have passed since your last qualification
Financial Scope:
This scholarship includes tuition and registration fees, a monthly allowance, living and accommodation expenses as well as travel from your home country or place of origin.
This scholarship is aimed at giving African students the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in one of the following fields: Health Systems Strengthening, Health Economics, Health Financing, Unsafe Abortions, Contraception, Universal Health Care Financing or Gender-based Violence. This scholarship aims to grow qualified professionals who are able to be part of influential policy-making or programme implementation entities in Africa. Six scholarships will be awarded for 2018.
Level of study: Postgraduate (PhD)
Country of Study: South Africa (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Eligibility:
Candidates must:
- Be a citizen of an African country
- Have the requisite qualifications
- Women and previously disadvantaged individuals are encouraged to apply.
Financial Scope:
The value of this scholarship is R600 000 that will be paid, in equal portions, over three years. These payments will be conditional on research progress.
These are just some of the scholarships available to exceptional Nigerian students who are determined to make a difference in Nigeria and Africa, as a whole. To research other funding opportunities, check out Nigerian scholarships or Scholarships for Africans.FundiConnect 2Cents
If you’re looking for funding within South Africa specifically, be sure to check out EduFunding. This platform aims to give you all the information you could possibly need about funding in SA. It is simple and effective but don’t take our word for it. Check it out for yourself. You can thank us later.
