Maureen Okpe
The United Kingdom Government has awarded a total of 85 Nigerian scholars the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK in 2025.
The scholarships according to the Commission in a statement on Thursday, were granted to individuals who demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s development upon completion of their programmes.
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The statement disclosed that, out of the 85 recipients, 39 scholars and one fellow were awarded the Chevening Scholarship, while 45 scholars received the Commonwealth Scholarship. The selected candidates will pursue a wide range of Master’s and PhD programmes in leading UK institutions, further strengthening academic and professional ties between the UK and Nigeria.
A pre-departure ceremony for the scholars was held in Abuja on Wednesday with another reception scheduled to take place in Lagos in September for recipients based in Lagos and surrounding areas.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Gill Lever, congratulated the scholars, commending them for their success in the highly competitive selection process.
“We are proud to see another batch of scholars depart over the next few weeks for the UK, knowing that they will come back and add to a very strong Chevening network in Nigeria.”
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“They will return with a lasting positive disposition towards the UK, acting as ambassadors by sharing their understanding of systems, policies, and life in the UK and then bringing those experiences back to Nigeria and doing great things while creating positive change in this country and the world.”
The Director of Programmes, British Council Nigeria, Mr. Chikodi Onyemerela, also addressed the scholars at the event, encouraging them to remain committed to national development.
Onyemerela admonished the scholars stating, “as you leave for the United Kingdom for further studies, you carry with you not only your personal aspirations but also the hopes of your communities and the promise of contributing to Nigeria’s future.”
“We are confident that the knowledge, skills, and networks you will acquire in the UK will return as seeds of innovation, leadership, and progress for our nation, particularly at this phase of its development.”
Among the recipients is Tijjanni Mukaddas, a Chevening fellow set to study at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Expressing gratitude, he said, “I feel truly humbled and grateful that with over 18 million Nigerian children denied education, the Chevening Fellowship enables me to craft impactful policies that will integrate them into education.
“It’s a dream come true; I’m honoured to embark on this journey at Oxford University.”
Cynthia Okoli, a Commonwealth scholar who will be studying at the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, shared her excitement about the opportunities ahead.
She said, “I look forward to developing my interpersonal and professional skills, as well as building lasting friendships and networks that cut across disciplines and cultures. These experiences will broaden my perspective and strengthen my ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary settings.”
Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded annually to exceptional individuals from across the world. Nigeria has a proud legacy of producing high-calibre scholars, with over 4,500 alumni—3,000 from the Commonwealth and 1,500 from Chevening—who have made significant contributions to national development across various sectors.