We list 7 fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships for Nigerian Students in Canada, with the deadline, study level and eligibility of each one taken from the award's own terms. 5 state eligibility that includes Nigerian applicants.
Written from the 7 awards on this page — every figure below is counted from what the awards themselves state. 5 min read.
This page collects 7 fully funded undergraduate scholarships in Canada open to Nigerian students. Every award on the list is labelled fully funded, every one sits at bachelors level, and every one is in Canada. Some of the awards also cover masters and PhD study, but the undergraduate route is the one this page is built around.
The providers named on this list are the University of Toronto, York University, McGill University, the University of Waterloo, Humber College in Toronto and the University of Calgary. The awards range from the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at Toronto to entrance scholarships at Humber, and from the Concordia University International Excellence Scholarships to the McGill University Scholarships and Fellowships.
Of the 7 awards here, 5 are open to Nigerian applicants. None of those 5 names Nigeria or the African region in its eligibility text; they are open because they carry no nationality restriction at all. The remaining 2 awards do not state their eligibility on the award page, so you will need to read the individual listing before you decide whether to spend money on a transcript or a courier.
That distinction matters when you are paying for documents out of your own pocket. An award that names no nationality restriction is a safer bet than one whose eligibility is simply unstated. Start with the five, and treat the other two as long shots until you have read the detail.
Fully funded means different things at different institutions. On this list, 2 awards state in their own text that they cover tuition. 1 states that it covers living costs, and 1 states that it covers accommodation. The Concordia University International Excellence Scholarships describes its value as covering full tuition fees, books, living expenses and fees for the duration of the programme.
Where an award does not spell out its benefits in writing, this page does not fill in the gaps. Read each listing for the exact wording the provider uses. An award that says it covers tuition is telling you about tuition, not about your flight, your visa fee or your first month's rent.
These are scholarships for a first degree, so the qualification that leads in is your secondary school result. WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and SSCE results are the ones that matter here, alongside an admission offer from the institution. Each award page quotes its own entry requirement, and those requirements differ.
If you already hold a B.Sc, an HND or an M.Sc, this particular list is not aimed at you. The same collection carries 3 awards at masters level, 2 at PhD level and 1 fellowship, and those are the pages to open instead.
The requirements stated on these awards are modest in number but heavy in logistics. 3 awards ask for letters of recommendation. 1 asks for an English test score, IELTS or TOEFL. 1 asks for a minimum degree class.
Three recommendation letters is the item that catches Nigerian applicants out, because it depends on other people. Approach your referees early, give them your CV and your draft personal statement, and tell them the date you need the letter. A teacher or principal who has moved schools, or a lecturer on strike, can hold up an application that is otherwise finished.
The English test requirement is worth checking carefully before you pay. One award on this list states it. For the others, read the listing and the institution's own admission page, because a WAEC or NECO English result is sometimes accepted in place of IELTS or TOEFL. Do not assume either way, and do not book a test date until the award page or the admissions office tells you it is needed.
None of the 7 awards on this page carries a fixed closing date in its listing. All 7 are undated, and none is marked as currently open. That is not a reason to relax; it is a reason to read each page and then go to the provider's own site for the current cycle.
Where dates do appear, they are tied to admission rounds. The York University Scholarships listing refers to a Fall 2026 admission deadline of February 15, 2026. The Concordia University International Excellence Scholarships refers to a February deadline, with the exact date announced on Concordia's website. The Humber International Entrance Scholarships states that its deadline varies according to programme. The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program, the McGill University Scholarships and Fellowships and the University of Waterloo Scholarships all direct you to see details.
Canadian undergraduate admission and scholarship deadlines cluster in the months before the academic year begins, and scholarship consideration often closes earlier than general admission. Treat every February date you see as a signal to work backwards by at least three months.
One award on the list runs for 3-4 years depending on the selected programme, so check the duration on each listing rather than assuming a single year of support.
Canada hosted 12,072 Nigerian students in 2023, making Nigeria the third-largest source of international students there, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is a large, established community, which matters when you are trying to work out how to send transcripts, who to ask about accommodation, or how other Nigerian students handled the same paperwork before you.
It also means competition. A country that already draws over twelve thousand Nigerian students will have applicants for every funded undergraduate place, and the awards on this page are limited in number.
Open the six listings above and read the eligibility line first. If an award states no nationality restriction, you are in the running and can move on to the requirements. If it says nothing about eligibility, read the full page before you commit any money.
Then build your document pack in this order: secondary school results, admission application, recommendation letters, and an English test only if the award or the institution asks for one. Three of these awards want recommendation letters, so start those conversations now.
Finally, go to the provider's own website for the current deadline, because the dates on this page are tied to admission rounds and several listings direct you there. If you are applying with a degree rather than a secondary school result, move to the masters, PhD or fellowship listings in this collection instead.
Looking to study in Canada without the burden of tuition fees? Great news for aspiring international students! Canada offers a wide range of fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students in 2026-2027, making world-class education accessible and affordable. These scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and even travel costs—opening doors to top-ranked Canadian universities. Whether you're applying for undergraduate, master's, or PhD programs, this guide lists the best funding opportunities available. Studying in Canada not only provides academic excellence but also a multicultural environment, permanent residency pathways, and globally recognized degrees. Read on to explore the top scholarship programs in Canada for international students and learn how to apply successfully.
*UNESCO Institute for Statistics, inbound internationally mobile students from Nigeria, 2023.
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