Scholarships play a vital role in facilitating Nigerian students to study abroad and acquire an international education. By providing financial aid, scholarships alleviate the burden of high tuition fees and living expenses, making it possible for talented Nigerian students to access quality education. Additionally, scholarships enhance the diversity of perspectives and global experiences of Nigerian students, enabling them to contribute effectively to the economic and social development of their home country upon their return.
Some of them are:
Scholarships can help Nigerian students access quality education and facilities in developed countries that may not be available in their home country.
Scholarships can reduce the financial burden of studying abroad, which can be very expensive for Nigerian students, especially considering the exchange rate and the cost of living.
Scholarships can provide Nigerian students with opportunities to learn from different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, which can broaden their horizons and enhance their skills.
Scholarships can enable Nigerian students to contribute to the development of their country by bringing back their knowledge, skills, and networks.
Challenges faced by Nigerian students in accessing quality education overseas
Scholarships play a crucial role in enabling Nigerian students to pursue higher education abroad. These scholarships not only provide financial support but also help in bridging the gap between the cost of education and the limited resources of students. By granting scholarships, the government and other funding organizations are empowering Nigerian students to access quality education that might otherwise be unaffordable for them.
However, Nigerian students face numerous challenges when it comes to accessing quality education overseas. Which include:
- Funding: Studying abroad can be very expensive for Nigerian students, especially considering the exchange rate and the cost of living. Many Nigerian students rely on scholarships, grants, or loans to finance their education, but these may not be sufficient or available for all.
- Curriculum: The Nigerian education curriculum may not be compatible or updated with the curriculum of the foreign institutions, which can affect the students’ academic performance and adaptation. Nigerian students may also face difficulties in transferring credits or validating their qualifications in their home country or other countries.
- Language barriers: Nigerian students may encounter language barriers if they study in a country where the official language is different from English, which is the official language of Nigeria. They may have to learn a new language or take language proficiency tests, which can be challenging and time-consuming.
- Cultural adjustment: Nigerian students may experience culture shock or discrimination when they study in a different country, which can affect their mental and emotional well-being. They may have to cope with different social norms, values, beliefs, and customs, which can be hard to adjust to.
- Healthcare concerns: Nigerian students may face health risks or challenges when they study abroad, such as infectious diseases, environmental hazards, or a lack of access to quality and affordable healthcare services. They may also have to deal with different health insurance policies or regulations, which can be confusing and costly.
Types of Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships:
Merit-based scholarships are scholarships that are awarded to students based on their academic performance, achievements, or potential. They are also known as academic scholarships or excellence scholarships. Merit-based scholarships can help Nigerian students study abroad by providing them with financial support and recognition for their hard work and talent.
Some examples of merit-based scholarships for Nigerian students to study abroad are:
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship: This scholarship is for doctoral students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, or health. It covers $50,000 per year for three years.
- Trudeau Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is for doctoral students who are enrolled in a social sciences and humanities program and who are addressing issues of critical importance to Canada and the world. It covers up to $60,000 per year for up to four years.
- The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship: This scholarship is for undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence and who are applying for admission to the University of Calgary in Canada. It covers $15,000 and is renewable annually for four years.
- Women in STEM Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for female students who are pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) at a partner university in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. It covers up to $8,000 per year for up to four years.
- York University International Scholarship Awards: These scholarships are for undergraduate students who have an excellent academic record and who are applying for admission to York University in Canada. They range from $60,000 to $140,000 for a four-year degree program.
These are just some of the many merit-based scholarships available for Nigerian students to study abroad.
Need-based scholarships:
Need-based scholarships are scholarships that are awarded to students based on their financial need or situation. They are also known as financial aid or bursaries. Need-based scholarships can help Nigerian students study abroad by providing them with financial assistance and reducing the barriers to accessing quality education.
Some examples of need-based scholarships for Nigerian students to study abroad are:
- Rotary Foundation Global Grants: These grants are for graduate students who are pursuing a degree in one of the six areas of focus of the Rotary Foundation:peace and resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. They cover up to $30,000 per year for one to four years.
- OFID Scholarship Award: This award is for undergraduate or graduate students from developing countries who are studying a subject related to development at an accredited university. It covers up to $50,000 per year for the duration of the study program.
- Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Program: This program is for master’s degree students from developing countries who are committed to contributing to the development of their countries. It covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: These scholarships are for students from Commonwealth countries who are pursuing a master’s or PhD degree at a UK university. They cover tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, and other allowances.
- KAAD Scholarship Program: This program is for postgraduate students from developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East who are studying in Germany.
Field-specific scholarships
A field-specific scholarship is a type of financial aid that is awarded to students who are pursuing a particular major or career path. For example, there are scholarships for engineering, nursing, education, law, and many other fields. Field-specific scholarships are designed to support students who have definite educational and career goals and to encourage them to gain skills and knowledge in high-demand or underrepresented areas. Governments, businesses, foundations, or private institutions may fund field-specific scholarships.
Some examples of need-based scholarships for Nigerian students are:
- Leadership for Africa: This is a scholarship programme for nationals or refugees in Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo who want to pursue a master’s degree in Germany. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and insurance.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: This is a scholarship programme for doctoral students who demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills. The scholarship awards $50,000 per year for three years to study at a Canadian university.
- University of Manchester Bicentenary Global Futures Scholarships: This is a scholarship programme for Nigerian students who want to study an undergraduate or master’s degree in engineering, environment, health, education, or development at the University of Manchester. The scholarship covers full tuition fees for four years.
- Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) Scholarships: This is a scholarship programme for Indian students who want to pursue a PhD or postdoctoral research in science and technology at a foreign university. The scholarship covers airfare, living allowance, contingency grant, and conference expenses.
