When Nigerians hear “fully funded scholarship,” most people think of very popular programs that attract tens of thousands of applicants.
Because of this, many students believe scholarships are either too competitive or only for “lucky” people. The truth is different.
There are fully funded scholarships Nigerians qualify for every year, but most people never apply for them. Not because they are fake, but because they are poorly advertised, misunderstood, or assumed to be “not for Nigerians.”
This article reveals 7 fully funded scholarships Nigerians rarely apply for, explains who they are for, and why you should consider them. These scholarships can cover tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, travel costs, and even health insurance.
What Does “Fully Funded” Really Mean?
A fully funded scholarship usually covers:
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Full tuition fees
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Accommodation or housing allowance
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Monthly living stipend
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Health insurance
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Flight tickets (for international scholarships)
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Sometimes books and research grants
This means you can study with little or no financial burden.
Check Also: How to Gain Admission Without JAMB in Nigeria (2025/2026 Edition)
Why Nigerians Miss These Scholarships
Many Nigerians miss these opportunities because:
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They focus only on very popular scholarships
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They believe scholarships are only for straight-A students
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They don’t search beyond social media
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They assume international scholarships don’t accept Nigerians
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They apply late or not at all
The scholarships below are real, competitive, and open to Nigerians, yet they receive far fewer Nigerian applications than expected.
1. Hungarian Government (Stipendium Hungaricum) Scholarship
This is one of the most generous scholarships in Europe, yet many Nigerians ignore it.
It is fully funded by the Hungarian government and open to Nigerian students for:
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Undergraduate
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Master’s
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PhD programs
What it covers:
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Full tuition
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Free accommodation or housing allowance
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Monthly stipend
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Medical insurance
Why Nigerians don’t apply:
Many students focus only on the UK, US, or Canada and ignore Central Europe.
Why you should apply:
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No tuition fees
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English-taught programs available
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Less competition compared to UK or US scholarships
2. Romanian Government Scholarship
The Romanian Government offers fully funded scholarships to international students, including Nigerians.
Available levels:
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Bachelor’s
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Master’s
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PhD
What it covers:
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Tuition fees
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Accommodation
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Monthly stipend
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Medical assistance
Why Nigerians don’t apply:
Romania is not a “popular” study destination among Nigerians.
Why you should apply:
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Simple application process
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No application fee
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Lower competition than popular destinations
3. Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)
Many Nigerians have heard of this scholarship, but very few apply correctly.
It is offered by the Chinese government to study in Chinese universities.
Available levels:
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Undergraduate
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Master’s
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PhD
What it covers:
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Tuition fees
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Accommodation
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Monthly stipend
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Medical insurance
Why Nigerians miss it:
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Confusion about the application process
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Fear of language barrier (many programs are taught in English)
Why you should apply:
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Many universities accept English-taught programs
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Multiple application routes
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High number of slots for Africans
4. Turkish Government (Türkiye Burslari) Scholarship
This is one of the best fully funded scholarships in the world, yet many Nigerians don’t apply.
Available for:
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Undergraduate
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Master’s
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PhD
What it covers:
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Tuition
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Accommodation
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Monthly stipend
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Flight tickets
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Health insurance
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One-year Turkish language course
Why Nigerians don’t apply:
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Belief that Turkey only teaches in Turkish
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Fear of cultural differences
Why you should apply:
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English-taught programs available
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Covers almost every expense
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Accepts students with average grades
5. Slovak Government National Scholarship Programme
This scholarship is very unpopular in Nigeria, but it is real and fully funded.
It is mainly for:
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Master’s students
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PhD students
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Researchers
What it covers:
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Monthly stipend
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Accommodation support
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Travel allowance
Why Nigerians don’t apply:
Slovakia is rarely discussed in Nigerian scholarship spaces.
Why you should apply:
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Very low competition
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Straightforward application
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Accepts Nigerians every year
6. Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Many Nigerians assume this scholarship is only for science geniuses. That is not true.
The Japanese government offers the MEXT scholarship for:
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Undergraduate
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Master’s
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PhD
What it covers:
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Tuition fees
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Monthly allowance
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Accommodation
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Flight tickets
Why Nigerians don’t apply:
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Fear of Japan’s education system
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Assumption that it’s extremely difficult
Why you should apply:
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English-taught programs available
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Strong support for international students
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Prestigious and well-recognized worldwide
7. Korean Government Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
This is another high-value scholarship that Nigerians rarely apply for compared to other Africans.
Available levels:
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Undergraduate
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Graduate (Master’s & PhD)
What it covers:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Flight tickets
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Medical insurance
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Language training
Why Nigerians don’t apply:
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Korea is not a traditional study destination for Nigerians
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Fear of language and culture
Why you should apply:
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Strong academic reputation
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Clear application guidelines
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Fully funded with generous benefits
Who Can Apply for These Scholarships?
Although requirements differ, most of these scholarships require:
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Nigerian citizenship
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Valid academic results
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Admission or eligibility for admission
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Good academic standing
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Willingness to study abroad
You do not always need perfect grades. Many accept average students with strong motivation.
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning These Scholarships
To stand out:
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Apply early
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Read guidelines carefully
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Write honest and clear personal statements
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Ensure documents are complete
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Apply to multiple scholarships
Do not rely on one scholarship alone.
Common Mistakes Nigerians Make
Avoid these mistakes:
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Waiting until the deadline
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Submitting incomplete documents
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Copying personal statements from the internet
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Believing agents who promise “guaranteed selection”
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Ignoring lesser-known countries
Remember, no real scholarship requires payment.
Final Thoughts
Fully funded scholarships are not myths. They are real opportunities many Nigerians ignore simply because they are not popular.
If you are willing to look beyond the usual options and apply carefully, you increase your chances greatly. Sometimes, the scholarships with fewer applicants are the ones that change lives the most.
Instead of competing with hundreds of thousands of people, focus on opportunities most people never apply for.
