The Federal Ministry of Education has invited qualified Nigerian graduates to apply for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan, with applications closing on October 20, 2026.
The scholarship announcement was shared by the Lagos State Scholarship Board.
The scholarships, which are tenable in the United Kingdom, are available for one-year taught Master’s programmes and doctoral studies of up to three years.
The notice was issued by the ministry’s Department of Scholarship Awards, formerly known as the Federal Scholarship Board, and signed by the Director overseeing the Office of PSE, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, on behalf of the Minister of Education.
Eligibility Requirements
According to the ministry, applicants for the Master’s programme must hold a first degree with at least a Second Class Upper Division.
Applicants seeking doctoral scholarships must possess a relevant Master’s degree, in addition to at least a Second Class Lower Division in their first degree.
Candidates in both categories are required to have secured admission to at least two UK institutions.
Doctoral applicants must also provide a supporting statement from a prospective supervisor at their chosen UK institution.
The ministry listed evidence of participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) among the eligibility requirements.
Applications will be assessed based on three key criteria: academic merit, development impact upon completion and the quality of the proposed study plan.
How to Apply
The ministry said all applications must be submitted through the Electronic Application System (EAS).
Applicants are required to register on the EAS portal, complete the application form online and upload scanned copies of the required documents.
These include:
- Passport photograph
- University academic transcripts
- Birth certificate
- Admission letters from UK institutions listed in the application
Completed applications must be submitted online on or before October 20, 2026.
After submission, applicants are required to generate a PDF copy of their completed application, download and print one hard copy for submission at the interview venue.
The ministry further stated that foreign academic certificates must be accompanied by official translations and evaluation documents.
Areas of Developmental Priority
Prospective applicants have also been advised to consider Nigeria’s developmental priorities when preparing their study proposals and ensure that their proposed programmes align with the country’s development needs.
The priority areas include:
- Education
- Health
- Economic growth and the private sector
- Governance and conflict
- Climate and the environment
- Water and sanitation
- Engineering
- Science and technology
- Food and nutrition
- Humanitarian disasters and emergencies
The ministry advised applicants to consult the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for additional information on the scholarship, eligibility requirements and selection criteria.
Enquiries: Director, Department of Scholarship Awards
Email: fsb@education.gov.ng
Phone: 09124516750, 09082454557
Application portal: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission application portal
