Most Nigerians know about scholarships like Chevening, DAAD, or Commonwealth, but what if I told you there are less popular scholarships that still fully fund your education abroad — and Nigerians are already winning them every year?
These scholarships don’t make headlines, but they’re real, trusted, and fully funded. They cover your tuition, accommodation, flights, monthly allowance, and even insurance. Because they’re lesser known, the competition is lower, meaning you stand a better chance of getting selected.
If you’re looking for new opportunities in 2025 to study abroad without spending a kobo, this guide highlights 10 hidden scholarships Nigerians can apply for — and start a life-changing journey.
1. Türkiye Burslari (Turkey Government Scholarship)
The Türkiye Burslari Scholarship is one of the most generous and underrated scholarships in the world. It’s funded by the Turkish government and available to international students, including Nigerians.
It’s open for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. This scholarship covers tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and flights. You also get a free one-year Turkish language course, even if you’ll study in English.
Nigerians studying in top Turkish universities like Istanbul University and Ankara University are already benefiting from this opportunity. Applications usually open in January and run until February or March.
2. Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) Scholarship
This is a special program for students in developing countries who have a passion for education and community service. Unlike most scholarships, it allows you to study in your home country or another developing country.
The WMI Scholarship provides up to $3,000 per year to support tuition, books, materials, and living costs. You’ll need to show academic excellence and a history of helping others — WMI values people who want to give back to their communities.
Applications open every year in December and close in March.
3. Ashinaga Africa Initiative
This Japanese program offers full scholarships to orphaned students from Sub-Saharan Africa — and Nigeria is fully eligible.
Ashinaga starts with a leadership and academic training program in Uganda. From there, students go on to study in countries like Japan, the UK, or the US. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and accommodation.
Applicants must have lost one or both parents, be academically strong, and show leadership potential. It’s a deeply impactful program aimed at building the next generation of African leaders.
4. Romanian Government Scholarship
Most people don’t even know Romania offers scholarships — but they do. Every year, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives fully funded scholarships to non-EU students, including Nigerians.
You can apply for undergraduate, master’s, or PhD programs in Romanian universities. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and free accommodation. Although the default language of instruction is Romanian, many courses are available in English or French.
Applications typically open in January and close in March.
5. Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship
This fully funded scholarship is offered by the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. It’s open to Muslim male students and covers Islamic studies, sciences, and engineering programs.
The scholarship includes tuition, monthly allowance, free accommodation, meals, health care, and airfare. There’s no application fee, and accepted students live in a comfortable, well-supported campus environment.
Many Nigerian students have successfully gained admission and are thriving there. Applications are accepted year-round.
6. Beijing Government Scholarship
The Beijing Municipal Government offers this scholarship to support international students in Chinese universities located in Beijing.
It is separate from the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) and can be applied for directly through your chosen university. It may be fully funded or partial, depending on your program and academic record.
Some Nigerian students have used this route to study engineering, medicine, business, and IT in China without paying tuition. You’ll need to check each university’s requirements to apply.
7. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary Government Scholarship)
This is one of the fastest-growing opportunities for Nigerian students. Funded by the Hungarian government, the Stipendium Hungaricum provides fully funded undergraduate, master’s, and PhD scholarships.
It covers tuition, accommodation, monthly allowance, and medical insurance. Some universities also offer English-taught courses, and there’s no need for IELTS in many cases.
Applications usually open in November and close by mid-January. Nigerians are already studying in top institutions like the University of Debrecen and Eötvös Loránd University.
8. KNUST Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is based at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana and is part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
It’s for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who want to pursue undergraduate studies. It covers full tuition, accommodation, a laptop, books, transportation, and living allowance.
This is an ideal option if you want a top-notch education close to Nigeria. Many Nigerian students apply successfully each year, and the support system at KNUST is excellent.
9. Russian Government Open Doors Scholarship
Russia’s Ministry of Education runs this unique online competition where winners receive full tuition scholarships to study for master’s or PhD programs in top Russian universities.
No IELTS is needed, and some universities also cover accommodation, monthly stipends, and health insurance. Fields of study include engineering, medicine, economics, and humanities.
The application is fully online, and you only need a strong academic background and to perform well in the selection test.
10. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship
This fully funded scholarship is for Muslim students from member countries, including Nigeria. It supports undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral studies.
The IsDB scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, travel, and insurance, and even offers financial support for research. The program looks for students who want to return home and contribute to development.
Applications open around December to February. Many Nigerians, especially in science and technology fields, have used this opportunity to study in top universities around the world.
How to Improve Your Chances of Winning These Hidden Scholarships
If you want to stand out and actually win one of these lesser-known but powerful scholarships, here are key tips to follow:
- Start early. Don’t wait until the last minute. Many scholarships require preparation months in advance.
- Write a strong personal statement. Talk about your goals, struggles, achievements, and future plans.
- Get quality recommendation letters. Ask your teachers, lecturers, or mentors early enough.
- Pay attention to details. Don’t skip required documents or miss deadlines.
- Use official websites only. Don’t rely on social media alone — go to the scholarship provider’s official website.
Final Thought
Opportunities don’t always make noise. These hidden scholarships are quietly changing lives — and Nigerians are already benefitting from them. You don’t need to be the best student in Nigeria to qualify. You just need the right information, the right timing, and the courage to apply.
At Krain Naija News, we’re committed to helping you discover life-changing opportunities in education, jobs, and travel. Stay with us to get the latest scholarship updates that others often miss — and take the first step toward changing your story.
