Nigerians looking to live and study in Canada can qualify for some international student scholarships. Funding varies by individual academic performance, the school involved and meeting the requirements.
This article explains the various types of Canadian scholarships for Nigerian students.
Do Nigerian Students Qualify for Scholarships in Canada?
People who are applying for admission to universities in Canada and who are neither Permanent Residents (PRs) nor citizens are regarded as international students. Nigerians fall into this category.
Applicants from Nigeria qualify for some scholarships in some Canadian universities. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements and having a good academic record are part of the considerations.
Categories of Canada Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Funding is provided by universities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the government. Some of these scholarships accommodate the interests of international students from Nigeria.
1. Government Scholarships
Both the State/provincial and National Governments provide funding to some Canadian universities to be channelled towards scholarships.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
This scholarship was named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, who was the first francophone Governor of Canada.
The Canadian government provides it and it is open to both domestic and international students.
Who Is It for?
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships is designed for the following categories of applicants:
- Highly qualified doctoral students who demonstrate exceptional academic excellence and research potential.
- Domestic and international students looking to pursue PhD studies in select Canadian universities.
Value of the Scholarship
This is a fully-funded scholarship valued at $50,000 yearly throughout the three years of studies leading up to a Ph.D. degree.
It covers tuition fees, living expenses and some of the related costs associated with either pursuing a Master’s leading to a PhD or a PhD.
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program
This is an exclusive Canada scholarship for Nigerian students. Coverage is extended to member nations of the Commonwealth, of which Nigeria is one.
The funding typically covers tuition fees and living expenses. It is ideal for Nigerians pursuing either a Master’s degree or a PhD in Canada.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
This is a provinece-and-university-funded scholarship program. The Province of Ontario partners with select universities within the location to offer this.
The Province typically provides two-thirds and the participating universities provide one-third of the funding.
International students from Nigeria can access this merit-based scholarship if they are pursuing graduate studies to either get a Master’s or only a Ph.D. degree.
This scholarship provides up to $15,000 worth of funding per student and is subject to a three-year renewal.
2. Non-Governmental Scholarships in Canada
Nigerian applicants who are unable to get financial assistance from government-funded scholarships in Canada may be able to raise money from independent parties. Non-governmental funding from brands can go a long way to finance your post-secondary education in Canada.
Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants
This scholarship is used as a means to foster collaborations between African and Canadian universities.
International students from select African countries, such as Nigeria can take advantage of this to fund their education and engage in research projects.
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
Payment processing company, MasterCard also commits funds towards providing scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students. Through The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, suitably qualified applicants receive funding to pursue graduate and undergraduate studies in Canada.
3. Scholarships from Canadian Universities
Select institutions of higher learning have also taken the lead in offering scholarships for Nigerian students. As to be expected, the funding is typically configured to offer applicants financial coverage when undergoing graduate and undergraduate programs at any of the universities.
In addition to using the funds for tuition fees at the school, qualified Nigerian students may also get coverage for living expenses and other associated costs for the programs they are taking.
McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid
McGill University, one of the top higher institutions in Canada, offers a fully-funded scholarship to indigenous (Canadian and U.S) students to complete their Ph.D. or Master’s degree, almost for free.
International students from Nigeria can apply for this scholarship.
University of Saskatchewan International Student Awards
These scholarship awards are exclusive to non-indigenous students applying for undergraduate, Ph.D. or Master’s programs at the University of Saskatchewan.
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
Applicants from Nigeria looking to get scholarships to study at the University of Manitoba are encouraged to apply for the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships.
It is a fully-funded scholarship permitting Canadian students and international applicants, including Nigeria to apply for funding for Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D degrees.
University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards
The University of Waterloo awards this scholarship to international students from countries like Nigeria to get funding for undergraduate and graduate studies at the institution.
It is fully funded and could turn out to be one of your best options to receive adequate funding for Master’s and Doctoral studies in Canada.
University of Calgary Graduate Awards
Nigerian students applying to the University of Calgary can seize the same opportunity to get funding from the University of Calgary Graduate Awards.
Applications from international students entering their first year during the fall term are considered. Applicants opting for any of the university’s undergraduate degree programs are considered.
4. Apply for Institutional Scholarships in Canada
Institutions and fellowships also provide scholarship opportunities for Nigerians. In this section, we look into some of the options.
Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
The Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation has a dedicated scholarship for international students, including those from Nigeria. It is exclusive to doctoral students in specific areas, including humanities and social sciences.
Qualified persons can receive upwards of $60,000 yearly, subject to renewable for four (4) years.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
This fellowship cum scholarship program is geared towards attracting and retaining “top-tier postdoctoral researchers” from within and outside Canada. International postdoctoral students from Nigeria can qualify by meeting the conditions, including:
- The commitment to conduct postdoctoral studies and research in Canada.
- Willingness to commit to helping the Fellowship achieve its objectives.
- Willingness to make positive contributions to Canada’s social, economic and research-based development in the areas of humanities, health, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering.
In return, suitably qualified applicants from Nigeria will receive up to $70,000 worth of yearly funding for 2 years. The scholarship covers tuition fees, research costs, living expenses, and some extra costs associated with the program of study.
How To Get a Canada Scholarship
Getting any of the funding, either from the university or institutional partners is subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.
Applicants from Nigeria, among many other things, need to:
Do In-Depth Research
It all starts with looking up the Canada scholarship for Nigerian students. In addition to the ones covered in this article, look for information from:
- Canadian universities’ portals or “Financial Aids” section.
- Scholarship databases
Be Adequately-Prepared
Given the peculiarities and the limited slots available, applicants from Nigeria need to be fully prepared before applying. Measures include:
- Preparing your relevant documents, such as proof of English language proficiency, Curriculum Vitae, academic transcripts, valid international passport and Letters of Recommendation (LOR).
- Following the laid-down instructions to the latter;
- Being certain of meeting the eligibility requirements, ranging from nationality, and English language proficiency determined by tests like TOEFL and IELTS; as well as specific requirements for the applied program.
Concluding Thoughts
Nigerians are part of the international students considered for Canadian scholarships. If you are unable to get one, consider seeking alternative funding options, which include taking up part-time jobs or taking grants to fund your education in Canada.