The United Kingdom Government has awarded scholarships to 85 Nigerians under the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth programmes to pursue master’s and PhD studies in 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, the British High Commission announced that the beneficiaries include 39 Chevening scholars, one Chevening fellow, and 45 Commonwealth scholars.
A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja on Wednesday for recipients from the capital and neighbouring states, while another is scheduled to take place in Lagos in September.
Speaking at the Abuja event, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, congratulated the scholars, describing their selection as the result of a rigorous and highly competitive process.
“We are proud to see another batch of scholars depart for the UK, knowing they will return to Nigeria as part of a strong Chevening network. They will act as ambassadors, applying the knowledge and experiences they gain to create positive change in Nigeria and the world,” Lever said.
Also addressing the awardees, British Council Nigeria’s Director of Programmes, Chikodi Onyemerela, urged them to maximise the opportunity.
“As you embark on this journey, you carry not only your own aspirations but also the hopes of your communities. We believe the skills and networks you will gain will become seeds of innovation, leadership, and progress for Nigeria,” he noted.
Among the recipients is Tijjanni Mukaddas, the 2025 Chevening Fellow, who will study at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. He described the fellowship as a chance to influence education policy for millions of Nigerian children who are currently out of school.
Another awardee, Cynthia Okoli, a Commonwealth Scholar set to study at the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, expressed excitement about the opportunity to expand her knowledge and build global networks.
The Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are awarded to individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to national development.
Nigeria is home to one of the largest alumni networks for both programmes globally, with more than 4,500 past scholars—about 3,000 from the Commonwealth and 1,500 from Chevening—many of whom have gone on to hold leadership roles in government, academia, and the private sector.
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