12 Best Scholarships In Canada For Nigerian Students

Many think that finding a scholarship in Canada as a Nigerian student can be a very daunting task for many! But in reality, there are many scholarships for Nigerian students that people don't know about! There are various international scholarships for Nigerian students available which can take care of several needs. So, if you are looking for the best international scholarships for Nigerian students, these are some of the best Canadian scholarships that you need to keep an eye out for! Check out this blog to know everything about the types of international scholarships for Nigerian students, the eligibility, and the opportunities. 

How to apply for a scholarship in Canada?

Applying for scholarships for Nigerian students isn't a difficult process. Once you get selected by a university for Canadian international scholarships for Nigerian students, you can easily apply based on the eligibility criteria and further requirements of the university. Let's take a look at some of the basic requirements that one may need to apply for international scholarships for Nigerian students:

1. Educational certificates

2. Academic transcripts

3. Letter of Acceptance

4. Statement of Purpose

5. Medical Test Certificate

6. Aptitude Test Score Certificate (GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc.)

7. English Proficiency Test Score Certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)

Eligibility criteria for international scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada

There are certain requirements that one needs to meet to get international scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada. Below is a list of the things one needs for a scholarship to study abroad for Nigerian students: 

1. Exceptional academic score that should meet the criteria specifically if you want to get listed by the universities in Canada.

2. Should be above the age of 18 years.

3. Must be a citizen of the participating country.

4. Must not be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.

5. English Proficiency exam certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL.

6. Fulfill the Canadian visa conditions of the Canadian Immigration Department.

7. Comply with the entry conditions of the Canadian University you are applying to.

Types of scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada

International scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada are all about a wide range of options and benefits that it offers. These international scholarships for Nigerian students are either provided by the Canadian government or by private institutes and university scholarships to study abroad for Nigerian student cities. However, there are two major types of international scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada that they can avail of, which are as follows:

1. Government-Funded Scholarships:

These are the international scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada that the Canadian government provides. People who are able to demonstrate the need for financial help are awarded international scholarships for Nigerian students. 

2. Private Universities Scholarships: 

Another one on our list of international scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada is the private universities scholarship. Private universities offer these types of Canadian international scholarships for Nigerian students to students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance. 

Partially funded international scholarships for Nigerian students

There are many partially funded international scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada! With so many options, you are spoilt for choice, so we have created a list of the best partially funded international scholarships for Nigerian students with their eligibility criteria! Let's dive right into it!  

1. Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Offered Degrees: Masters, PhD

Subjects: All

University: All participating universities in Canada

Cost Covered: $15,000

Time Period: 3 Years

One of the best merit-based international scholarships for Nigerian students is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship! The Canadian government provides this partially funded scholarship and offers students who want to pursue a Master's or PhD in Canada financial aid and offers around $15,000 per term. If you get into it, all you need to take care of are your grades because we will take care of your student accommodation in all major cities in Canada, including Texas, Montreal and others.

Eligibility Criteria: You must be in graduate studies at the Master's or doctoral level. You must be enrolled in a full-time program for two or more terms, and you must be attending one of the participating universities! 

2. ServiceScape Scholarships

Offered Degrees: Bachelors and Masters

Subjects: All

University: All

Cost Covered: $1000

Time Period: 3 Years

Another one of the great scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada is the ServiceScape Scholarship! This merit-need-based scholarship offers students $1000 to help with their tuition fees! ServiceScape provides this scholarship to help students to live their dreams and study in Canada! This scholarship is a contest, and you need to be the best one out there to get this scholarship! 

Eligibility Criteria: You must be studying or going to study in an accredited college, university, or trade school and must be 18 years old or above. You can only enter this contest once and must submit the entire application in English. You will also need to write a 300-word essay on 'how does writing impact today's world?', and you will be judged on your writing quality.

3. Arthur F. Church Entrance Scholarship

Offered Degrees: Bachelors

Subjects: Engineering

University: University of Waterloo

Cost Covered: $10,000

Time Period: 2 Years

Provided by the University of Waterloo, the Arthur F. Church Entrance Scholarship is among the best international scholarships for Nigerian students! This scholarship is for those students who want to pursue a bachelor's in engineering at the University of Waterloo, and this financial aid provides students with $10,000! This financial aid is provided to outstanding students who are going to start studying engineering at the University of Waterloo and is divided into one student in Mechatronics Engineering and one in Computer Engineering or Systems Design Engineering.

Eligibility Criteria: You must study at the University of Waterloo and be going to study Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Systems Design Engineering. You must be a full-time, first-year student starting college or university for the first time in September 2023 enrolled in a degree programme. You will be selected based on academic performance and the Admission Information Form.

4. Merit-Based International Student Scholarships

Offered Degrees: Bachelors 

Subjects: All

University: Concordia University

Cost Covered: $28,000

Time Period: 2 years

If you plan on studying at Concordia University, you need to look at the Merit-Based International Student Scholarships! It is one of the great international scholarships for Nigerian students, as it provides them with $28,000 per year! This scholarship completely depends on your SAT, ACT, or GPA score! 

Eligibility Criteria: There are no eligibility criteria; you need a high score to get this scholarship in Canada for Nigerian students! 

5. Amelia Earhart Fellowships For Women

Offered Degrees: PhD

Subjects: Related to space science

University: Any university offering an accredited course 

Cost Covered: $10,000

Time Period: 2 years

If you are a Nigerian woman student, this scholarship in Canada for Nigerian students is among the best! This partially funded scholarship provides women who are interested in pursuing their PhD with $10,000. Provided by Zonta International, out of all international scholarships for Nigerian students, this is one you need to keep an eye out for if you are a woman who is interested in studying space science!  

Eligibility Criteria: Women of any nationality pursuing a PhD or doctoral degree in aerospace engineering or space sciences and exhibiting a strong academic record are eligible. You must be enrolled in a full-time PhD or doctoral programme and have finished at least one year of that programme at the time the application is submitted or have earned a master's degree in a field related to aerospace. 

6. York University - Automatic Entrance Scholarships in Canada

Offered Degrees: Bachelors

Subjects: All subjects offered by the university

University: York University

Cost Covered: $17,000

Time Period: 3 years

Another specific university scholarship is the York University - Automatic Entrance Scholarship in Canada! It is a great scholarship opportunity in Canada for Nigerian students as it funds all the students who dream of pursuing an undergraduate degree at York University. This scholarship helps these students complete this dream by providing $1,000 and $16,000 for their fees at York University, making it one of the great international scholarships for Nigerian students.

Eligibility Criteria: You need to be an international student, and only select high schools around the world will be considered for these awards at the discretion of York. You receive the Automatic Entrance Scholarships in Canada with 95% or above. You should maintain an 8.00 sessional GPA and enroll in a minimum of 24 credits each year for the scholarship renewal.

Fully funded international scholarships for Nigerian students

Now that we have discussed partially funded scholarships, let us also discuss a few fully funded international scholarships for Nigerian students! Keep reading to know more about the degrees, subjects, costs, and periods of these international scholarships for Nigerian students, and make your decision accordingly! 

7. Leakey Foundation Research Grants

Offered Degrees: PhD, Post Doctorate 

Subjects: Any research related to human origins

University: All

Cost Covered: $30,000

Time Period: May & December

One of the best fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students is the Leakey Foundation Research Grants! It is awarded to students who are going to pursue a PhD or Postdoctoral in the research field of human origins. Students can expect to get full funding up to $30,000!

Eligibility Criteria: The Leakey Foundation Research Grants are open to established scientists and advanced doctoral students. Another criterion is that aspiring applicants must speak fluent English.

8. Google PhD Fellowship Program

Offered Degrees: PhD

Subjects: Computer Sciences

University: All

Cost Covered: $50,000

Time Period: 4 years

Offered by Google, the Google PhD Fellowship Program is among the best international scholarships for Nigerian students! This scholarship opportunity is for students who are interested in getting a PhD in computer sciences. It is a fully funded scholarship that pays your tuition fees, making it a great scholarship in Canada for Nigerian students.

Eligibility criteria: You must be enrolled in the PhD programme and continue to attend, and your graduate-level coursework must be finished before applying to the PhD programme. One eligibility criterion that is required to study in Canada is a good PTE score, so be mindful of that!

9. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

Offered Degrees: Bachelors

Subjects: All

University: University of Toronto

Cost Covered: $23,000

Time Period: 3 years

This is one of the fully funded international scholarships for Nigerian students that the University of Toronto provides, and the best part is that this scholarship provides funding for your tuition, books, incidental fees, and even full residence support for four years! 

Eligibility Criteria: You need to demonstrate leadership qualities, originality and creativity skills. You will also need to show your intentions on why you want to study at the University of Toronto.

10. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Offered Degrees: Masters, PhD

Subjects: All

University: All

Cost Covered: $50,000

Time Period: 4 years

If you are looking for international scholarships for Nigerian students that are fully funded and help you pursue your Master's or PhD at any university in Canada, then look no further than the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship! It not only covers your tuition fees but also covers your living expenses and offers an annual stipend. It is simply one of the best international scholarships for Nigerian students.

Eligibility Criteria: You must have an excellent academic record and must show strong potential in conducting innovative and impactful research.

11. Trudeau Foundation Scholarships

Offered Degrees: PhD

Subjects: Social Science and Humanities

University: All

Cost Covered: $40,000

Time Period: 2 Years

If you are pursuing a PhD in social sciences and humanities, then the best scholarship in Canada for Nigerian students is the Trudeau Foundation Scholarship! It covers tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to four years. 

Eligibility Criteria: You need to show great academic excellence and have great records.

You will also need to show great leadership qualities and show that you can have a positive impact on the world with your research.

12. Humber College International Entrance Scholarships

Degrees Offered: Bachelors

Subjects: All

University: Humbler College

Cost Covered: $2,000 reduction

Time Period: Three academic semesters each year 

Suppose you are just about to start your college life and are looking to study in Canada as an undergraduate. In that case, the Humber College International Entrance Scholarship is a scholarship in Canada for Nigerian students you need to keep an eye out for! This is a fully funded scholarship that Humbler College provides to its new students, and it covers the entire tuition fee for the duration of the program.

Eligibility Criteria: You need to be applying to Humber College and must have a strong academic record. You need to be actively participating in the community and show that you are a leader. You also need a recommendation from one of your teachers, counsellors, etc. 

These were the best international scholarships for Nigerian students that you could apply for if you are planning to study there! If you are planning to study for a Master's in Canada, then our guide will surely help you out for that as well! As an added bonus, we have a blog on the top scholarship interview questions, which can ensure you ace your interviews and get the scholarship you want! Lastly, if you are going to move to Canada to study, you will need a place to stay, and amber will help you find the best! You can also check for best scholarships in Canada for Indian students.