50 best scholarship opportunities in Canada for Nigerian students

Canada is undoubtedly one of the best countries to study – it is currently ranked the third-best study destination in the world.

But, education in Canada is expensive, especially for Nigerians. Most of us are not from rich homes and our economy isn’t doing great.

This is why scholarships are important – with a scholarship, you can study in Canada (even as a Nigerian) without worrying about the cost.

And, before you rule yourself out, there are many scholarship opportunities for Nigerians out there in Canada.

Can a Nigerian apply for a scholarship in Canada?

Yes, as a Nigerian, you can apply for, and get a scholarship in Canada as long as you meet the scholarship’s eligibility requirements.

Many scholarship opportunities in Canada are open to Nigerian students, and some of them are easy to get – you just need to try.

Is there 100% scholarship in Canada?

Yes, there are 100% scholarships in Canada – some scholarships in Canada cover 100% of your tuition fees and living expenses, but they are highly competitive – you need to have an excellent academic record to get them.

To get Canadian scholarships that are open to Nigerian students, you must apply for the right type.

Types of scholarship opportunities in Canada for Nigerian students

In Canada, there are different types of scholarships that you can get as a Nigerian

We have:

Government-sponsored scholarships: These are the type of scholarships that are offered by the Canadian government and you can apply for them even as a Nigerian. Scholarships like the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are good examples.
Institution-specific scholarships: This is the type of scholarship that is sponsored by an institution, some colleges and universities in Canada sponsor different scholarships and they are open to Nigerians.
Private scholarships: Private scholarships are sponsored by various organizations, foundations, and corporations in Canada.
Subject-specific scholarships: For this one, the scholarships are only available to students who are studying a particular course. For example, you have something like STEM scholarships, scholarships for Engineering students, arts scholarships, or scholarships for business studies.
Research scholarships: This one is for graduate students who are doing research work – the purpose of this type of scholarship is to help the students sponsor their research project.
Fully-funded scholarships: If you are looking for a scholarship that will cover everything for you, this is the type you should apply for – fully-funded scholarships cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs.
Partial scholarships: Partially funded scholarships cover some part of your expenses and leave the rest for you to cover.

40 best Canadian scholarships for Nigerian students

Canada is a fertile ground for Nigerian students.

There are over 13,000 Nigerian students currently in Canada, and you can become part of them by applying for any of the scholarships below.

Government scholarship opportunities in Canada for Nigerian students

Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants: This is a grant program that is funded by the Canadian government to support research collaboration between Canadian and African universities or research institutions. If you are a Nigerian student or researcher, you can apply for this opportunity – once your application is approved, you will participate in research programs, workshops, and conferences in Canada. You will also help in promoting academic collaboration between Canada and Africa. To learn more, visit the Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Scholarship Programs: This is yet another scholarship opportunity for Nigerian students in Canada. This scholarship program aims to promote international cooperation between Canada and other countries. There are many scholarships under this program, for example, you have the Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarship Program and the Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program. They are both under this program.
IDRC Research Awards: The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from developing countries (which includes Nigeria). Like the Global affairs program, this one has many awards under it. Each award supports research projects that are conducted at Canadian universities or research institutions. The awards are also program-specific, they concentrate on areas such as agriculture, environment, health, and social sciences. If awarded to you, it will cover your travel expenses, living expenses, and research-related costs.
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program (CCSP): This is one of the top-rated government-sponsored scholarships in Canada. It is offered by the Canadian government and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. It is open to students from Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria. The scholarship covers your tuition fees, travel expenses, living expenses, and healthcare insurance.

Institution-specific scholarship opportunities in Canada for Nigerian students

If you want to study in Canada as a Nigerian, one thing you have to keep in mind is that every institution in Canada (college or universities) has scholarships that they offer to international students which includes Nigerian students.

These scholarships exist to help reduce the financial demand for studying in the institution.

Some of them are fully funded; meaning they cover your tuition fees, living expenses and any other expenses while others are partially funded.

Name of Scholarship	Institution	Scholarship Amount
Carleton University Entrance Scholarships for International Students	Carleton University	Up to $16,000
University of Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence	University of Waterloo	Up to $10,000
University of Alberta International Student Scholarship	University of Alberta	$9,000 to $26,000
McGill University Entrance Scholarship	McGill University	Varies (partial or full tuition)
President’s Beyond Borders Fund	University of Victoria	Up to $5000
International Scholars Program	University of British Columbia	Up to $35,000 per year.
Chancellor’s Scholarship for International Students	Carleton University	$30,000
Schulich Leader Scholarships amount	Dalhousie University	Total of $120,000
International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarships	University of Manitoba	$16,000 (Ph.D.) and $12,000 (Master’s)

Fully funded Canadian scholarships for Nigerian students

Canada has various fully funded scholarships that Nigerian students can apply for, however, these scholarships are hard to get.

If you want to stand a chance, you need to maintain excellent academic records, engage in extracurricular activities and be admissible to Canada.

These scholarships provide you with comprehensive financial support – they cover your tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other related expenses.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: Just like the name sounds, this scholarship is for students who are pursuing Graduate programs in Canada. The scholarship is sponsored by the Canadian government – the government wants to use the scholarship to attract and retain world-class doctoral students. If you are a Nigerian student who is pursuing a doctoral degree in Canada, you can apply for this scholarship. The scholarship will give you $50,000 per year for up to three years and you can use the money to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs related to your research.
Trudeau Foundation Scholarships: The Trudeau Foundation is another fully funded doctoral scholarship that you can apply for as a Nigerian student – like the previous one, it is also for doctoral candidates but only for those in the social sciences and humanities. The specific amount for this scholarship is not disclosed publicly however, the amount is enough to cover your covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other research-related expenses – according to those who have benefited from it.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships: If you are a Nigerian student who is conducting research in areas related to the foundation’s four themes: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, and people and their natural environment, then you should apply for this scholarship. Like the Trudeau Foundation scholarship, the amount isn’t specified.
University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: This is one of the most popular fully funded scholarships in Canada; meaning, it is highly competitive. To get in, you must be a standout student. Fortunately, it is open to Nigerian students. The scholarship is named after Lester B. Pearson, a former Prime Minister of Canada and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The scholarship aims to support exceptional students – students with excellent academic records, leadership potential, and a commitment to community service. Official website.

Program-specific Canadian scholarships for Nigerian students

In our collection are also program-specific scholarships for Nigerian students in Canada.

If you want to study a particular program in Canada, ensure you check your university or college of interest for scholarships that are open to students in your program of study.

Name of university	Scholarship	Amount
University of Ontario	Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) – Science and Engineering	$15,000 per year for master’s students and $30,000 per year for doctoral students
University of Toronto	University of Toronto Faculty of Law Global Leadership Scholarship	Amount not specified
University of Alberta	University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Scholarships	Depends on the particular scholarship
University of British Columbia	University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business Scholarships	Up to $10,000
McGill University	McGill University Faculty of Engineering International Graduate Scholarship	Up to $42,000
University of Waterloo	University of Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics Scholarships	Ranges from $5000 to $10,000

There are many more program-specific scholarships you will find in Canada.

Once you’ve been accepted to study a particular course, go to your institution’s official website and look for available scholarships for students in your program.

Private Scholarships for Nigerian students to study in Canada

You can also find scholarship opportunities that are open to Nigerian students and are sponsored by private individuals or organizations in Canada.

Name of sponsors	Name of institution	Name of scholarship	Offering amount
TD Bank Group	Various universities across Canada	TD Scholarships for Community Leadership	Up to CAD 70,000
RBC Royal Bank	Various universities across Canada	RBC Royal Bank Scholarships	Varies (range from $1,000 to CAD 10,000)
Scotiabank	Various universities across Canada	Scotiabank National Scholarship Program	Up to CAD 5,000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)	Various universities across Canada	CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program	Up to CAD 8,000
Sun Life Financial	Various universities across Canada	Sun Life Financial Scholarship Program	Up to CAD 5,000
TELUS	Various universities across Canada	TELUS Future Leaders Scholarship	Up to CAD 10,000
Coca-Cola Foundation	Various universities across Canada	Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship	Up to CAD 1,000
Bell Canada	Various universities across Canada	Bell Canada Scholarship Program	Up to CAD 5,000
Schulich Foundation	Various universities across Canada	Schulich Leader Scholarships	Up to CAD 100,000

Requirements to apply for scholarships in Canada as a Nigerian student

As a Nigerian student, you need the following to apply for a scholarship in Canada.

A good academic record: Most scholarship programs in Canada need you to have an excellent academic record, you need a good CGPA, the higher your grades, the better your chances.
An English Language Proficiency score: Not all schools in Canada require you to present an English proficiency test score but if your school does require it, you need to take the test (IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge English exams) and provide your score.
Your letter of admission: Before you get a scholarship to study in Canada, you also need to get admission to a Canadian institution – you must do this before applying for scholarships. Once you get admitted, you will be issued a letter of admission – you can use this letter to apply for a scholarship.
Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement: Before you apply for a scholarship, check if you need to present a statement of purpose or personal statement, many scholarship opportunities in Canada require it. It is a letter that shows your achievements, experiences, and plans.
Letters of recommendation: You also need to get letters of recommendation, make sure they come from a recognized person like your teachers or professors.
Research Proposal (if applicable): If you’re applying for research-based scholarships (for anyone at the graduate level), you need to submit a well-detailed research proposal.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): You have to submit your resume or CV to support your application. Your CV should highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, work experience, volunteer work, and any relevant accomplishments you have.
Financial documents: If you are applying for a need-based scholarship, then you need to submit your financial statement as proof that you do need financial assistance.
Passport: This is very important – you need a valid passport – it must be valid till the duration of your program in Canada.

In addition to the above requirements, when applying for a scholarship in Canada, make sure you fill out the scholarship form properly and provide accurate information in your application form.

Furthermore, begin your application early and ensure that you submit your application before the deadline – follow the application guidelines provided by the organizing body.

Does Canada have undergraduate scholarships for Nigerians?

Yes, there are many undergraduate scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students to study in Canada.

If you wish to complete your undergraduate programs in Canada, you can apply for the:

York University International Entrance Scholarship Program
Carleton University Entrance Scholarships for International Students
UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award (University of British Columbia)
University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Awards
Humber College International Entrance Scholarships
Concordia University Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students
University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders

They are available to Nigerian students who wish to complete their undergraduate program in Canada.

In summary, getting a scholarship to study in Canada as a Nigerian student is great – it helps you handle the financial demands of studying in Canada.

This way, you can focus on your studies and you don’t have to work part-time to fund your studies.

You can find more information about scholarships for Nigerian students to study in Canada in the video below.