Why these 10 opportunities matter right now
The cost of studying abroad has spiked—Canada just raised its proof-of-funds benchmark to CAD 20 635. (read why 🔗).
Yet fully funded awards still exist if you’re quick. All programmes below cover at least tuition + living stipend and their 2025 intakes close on or before 31 August 2025.
The countdown list (in deadline order)
1. MEXT Government Scholarship — Japan (Embassy Route)
Deadline: 25 June 2025 (Abuja & Lagos embassies) • Coverage: full tuition, ¥144 000 stipend, return ticket.
- STEM fields prioritized—but humanities also welcome.
- Written test + interview at the embassy; bring original WAEC/NECO.
- Fast tip: Download past maths and Japanese tests from
studyinjapan.go.jp.
2. GREAT Scholarships — United Kingdom
Deadline: 30 June 2025 • Coverage: £10 000 tuition for one-year master’s.
- 18 UK universities funding Nigerians this cycle.
- Many accept WAEC C6 as English proof—see IELTS waiver list 🔗.
- Essay: show how you’ll “contribute to Nigeria-UK bilateral goals.”
3. Australia Awards Africa
Deadline: 30 June 2025 • Coverage: full tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance.
- Select
Public Policy,Agricultural Economics, orClimate Adaptationfor better odds. - GPA ≥ 3.0/5 (Second Class Upper).
4. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships — Final Wave
Deadline: 9 July 2025 • Coverage: tuition, flights, £1 347/month stipend.
- Target courses tagged “development impact.”
- No separate IELTS if hosting university waives it.
5. NNPC–SNEPCo National University Scholarship (Undergrad)
Deadline: 31 July 2025 • Coverage: ₦200 000 per session until graduation.
- Open to 200 level students in federal & state universities.
- Cumulative CGPA ≥ 3.5/5.
6. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program — AUB & Sciences Po
Deadline: 25 July 2025 • Coverage: full tuition + $700/month stipend + travel.
- Submit a 90-second “leadership impact” video with application.
- Referees must use institutional email addresses.
7. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Merit Scholarship
Deadline: 15 August 2025 • Coverage: full PhD/MSc tuition, $1 200 stipend, research grant.
- Programmes in renewable energy, food security, AI.
- Requires commitment to return & work in Nigeria for the same duration.
8. Stipendium Hungaricum — Supplementary Round
Deadline: 20 August 2025 • Coverage: tuition waiver, dorm or HUF 43 700/month living money.
- Upload medical certificate (form Annex 4) signed by government hospital.
- German-taught courses also available (B1 language cert).
9. DAAD EPOS Development-Linked Master’s
Deadline: 31 August 2025 • Coverage: full tuition + €934/month + travel grant.
- Choose universities that include German language crash course—you’ll integrate faster.
- Need two years’ work experience; NYSC counts.
- Complement this with our German no-tuition guide đź”—.
10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — SEAS 4.0 Consortium
Deadline: 1 September 2025 • Coverage: €1 400/month stipend + tuition + insurance.
- Study in Spain + Poland + Italy; graduate with dual degree.
- One application covers the scholarship—no separate funding form.
Two-Week Action Plan to Beat the Deadlines
- This weekend: Collect transcripts and degree certificates. Nigerian registrars average 7–10 working days, so start now.
- Monday: Ask two referees to draft one-page letters. Provide them bullet points of your achievements to cut rewrite time.
- Within 72 hours: Open a free Grammarly account and polish your personal statement to avoid clunky grammar.
- Day 5: Compress PDFs with
ilovepdf.com—most portals cap uploads at 2 MB. - Day 6–7: Record a 90-second motivation video (phone + ring light). Simple edits with CapCut.
Need SOP help? Grab our step-by-step SOP template đź”—.
What are your real chances?
Below is the 2024 success data (Nigerian applicants only):
| Scholarship | 2024 Nigerian Applicants | Recipients | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD EPOS | 1 042 | 84 | 8 % |
| Commonwealth Shared | 3 300 | 145 | 4.4 % |
| GREAT | 640 | 60 | 9.3 % |
| Australia Awards | 920 | 35 | 3.8 % |
| IsDB | 410 | 22 | 5.4 % |
Key takeaway: Personalised essays and compelling leadership stories boost odds more than perfect GPAs.
Frequently Asked Questions (Rich-Snippet-Ready)
- Do I need IELTS for all these scholarships?
- No. GREAT, Commonwealth, and many Erasmus courses accept WAEC English C6+ (see waiver list đź”—).
- Can I apply to multiple programmes simultaneously?
- Yes. Scholarship bodies do not share applicant data. Just be transparent about other pending offers during interviews.
- How can I avoid paying application fees?
- Look for fee-waiver promo codes on university pages or ask the admissions office directly. Many DAAD EPOS partner schools waive fees for applicants from Least Developed Countries which includes Nigeria.
- Which scholarships allow dependants?
- Australia Awards and Commonwealth Shared cover spouse flights and modest child allowance.
- Are virtual interviews common?
- Yes—90 % moved online since 2023. Test your mic/webcam and use a neutral background.
Next Steps & Final Thoughts
The clock is ticking, but you’re not alone. Join our Telegram group (link in sidebar) for deadline reminders and peer review swaps.
If you land a scholarship, check out our guide to high-paying remote jobs 🔗—perfect side-income while studying.
Quick share favour: Know a friend who keeps talking about “japa”? Hit the Share button below and help them beat the deadlines.