By Elizabeth Ugbo

Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/2028: Federal Ministry Opens Application for Nigerian Graduates

The Federal Ministry of Education has opened applications for qualified Nigerian university graduates seeking Commonwealth Scholarships for the 2027/2028 UK academic year, with opportunities for one-year master’s and doctoral programmes lasting up to three years. The ministry announced the nomination exercise under the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), with applications closing on October 20, 2026.

Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/2028

The Honorable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, invited eligible Nigerian graduates to apply for the scholarship programme.

Successful candidates will undertake their studies in the United Kingdom.

The awards cover two main categories:

• One-year taught master’s programmes.
• Doctoral programmes lasting up to three years.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet specific academic and admission requirements to qualify.

For master’s programmes, candidates must hold a first degree with at least Second Class Upper Division.

For doctoral programmes, applicants need a relevant master’s degree.

They must also hold at least Second Class Lower Division in their first degree.

Additionally, applicants must secure admission into at least two UK institutions.

Doctoral candidates must provide a supporting statement from a prospective supervisor.

The supervisor must come from one of their chosen UK institutions.

Applicants must also provide evidence of participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship

Applicants must submit their applications through the Electronic Application System (EAS).

First, candidates should access the EAS portal and register.

They must then complete the application form online.

Applicants should upload scanned copies of their required documents.

These documents include a passport photograph and university academic transcripts.

They must also upload their birth certificate and UK admission letter.

The admission letter must come from a UK institution listed in the application.

Candidates must submit their completed applications online by October 20, 2026.

After submission, applicants should create a PDF copy of the completed form.

They must download and print one hard copy of the form.

Candidates will submit the printed copy at the designated interview venue.

Priority Development Areas

Applicants should align their study proposals with Nigeria’s development priorities.

The ministry identified several priority areas for relevant fields of specialization.

These areas include:

• Education
• Health
• Economic growth and the private sector
• Governance and conflict
• Climate and environment
• Water and sanitation
• Engineering
• Science and technology
• Food and nutrition
• Humanitarian disasters and emergencies

Candidates should consider these areas when preparing their study proposals.

How Applications Will Be Assessed

The scholarship selection process will consider three major areas.

These include academic merit and the potential development impact of the proposed study.

The quality of each candidate’s study plan will also form part of the assessment.

Furthermore, applicants should present clear proposals that demonstrate how their studies could support development.

Foreign Certificate Requirements

Applicants with foreign academic certificates must provide official translations.

They must also submit an official evaluation of such certificates.

Therefore, candidates should prepare the required documents before submitting their applications.

Commonwealth Scholarship Details

The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan provides opportunities for eligible candidates to pursue higher education in the UK.

The Federal Ministry of Education will conduct the Nigerian nomination exercise for the 2027/2028 academic year.

Applicants should rely on the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission information for full programme details and selection requirements.

For further enquiries, candidates may contact the Director of the Department of Scholarship Awards.

The department was formerly known as the Federal Scholarship Board.

Applicants can contact the department via fsb@education.gov.ng or call 09124516750 and 09082454557.

Important Deadline

Application deadline: October 20, 2026.

Candidates should complete their online applications before the deadline and prepare the required hard copy for the interview stage.