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68 Nigerians have won UK Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to pursue master’s and PhD programmes in the UK in 2026.
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The UK says the scholarships are an investment in Nigeria’s future, urging the scholars to return with knowledge and experience to contribute to the country’s development.
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Nigeria now has more than 5,237 Chevening and Commonwealth alumni, with beneficiaries contributing to development across different sectors.
September 12, (THEWILL) – The United Kingdom has awarded 68 Nigerians Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to pursue master’s and PhD programmes in various fields in the UK in 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen leadership and development capacity in Nigeria.
The scholars, comprising 12 Chevening scholars and 56 Commonwealth scholars so far, were honoured at pre-departure ceremonies held in Abuja and Lagos on Wednesday.
At the Abuja ceremony, Chargée d’Affaires of the British High Commission, Ms Vicky Seymour, described the scholarships as an investment not only in the beneficiaries but also in Nigeria’s future.
“Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars have bright futures – and we see your time in the UK as not only an investment in you as individuals, but also in the future of Nigeria,” Seymour said.
She urged the scholars to return to Nigeria with the knowledge and experiences gained in the UK and use them to contribute to the country’s development.
One of the Chevening scholars, Sarah Nathaniel Yanayork, who will study International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex, said the scholarship represented a new opportunity to deepen her commitment to good governance, human rights and inclusive development.
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For Commonwealth scholar Abubakar Umar, who will study Special Educational Needs at the University of Exeter, the scholarship carries particular significance as a person with hearing impairment.
Umar described the opportunity as a journey towards greater inclusion, noting that both the application and post-selection processes reflected the importance of accessibility and inclusivity.
The UK Government said scholarship recipients are selected based on intellectual ability, leadership potential and commitment to the development of their home countries.
Nigeria currently has more than 5,237 Commonwealth and Chevening alumni, many of whom are contributing to the country’s development across different sectors.
Applications for the 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarships are currently open, while applications for the 2027–2028 Commonwealth Scholarships are also ongoing.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
