85 Nigerians Receive UK Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships

Abuja, Nigeria — The United Kingdom Government has awarded prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to 85 Nigerians for the 2025 academic session, enabling them to pursue master’s and PhD programmes across leading UK institutions.

In a statement released on Thursday, the British High Commission confirmed that this year’s awardees comprise 39 Chevening scholars, one Chevening fellow, and 45 Commonwealth scholars.

At a pre-departure reception held in Abuja on Wednesday for scholars from the capital and neighbouring states, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, praised the recipients for excelling in what she described as a highly competitive process.

 “We are proud to see another group of scholars depart for the UK, knowing they will return to strengthen Nigeria’s Chevening network. They will act as ambassadors, sharing the knowledge and experiences gained in the UK while driving positive change at home,” Lever said.

The Director of Programmes at the British Council Nigeria, Chikodi Onyemerela, urged the scholars to maximise the opportunity, stressing that their studies abroad carry the hopes of their communities and the promise of contributing to Nigeria’s growth.

“The knowledge, skills, and networks you acquire in the UK will come back as seeds of innovation, leadership, and progress for our nation at this critical stage of development,” Onyemerela stated.

Among the awardees is Tijjanni Mukaddas, the 2025 Chevening Fellow, who will study at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies. He described the fellowship as a chance to influence education policy for Nigeria’s out-of-school children.

“It’s a dream come true. I feel humbled that this fellowship allows me to work on policies that will integrate millions of Nigerian children into education,” Mukaddas said.

Another recipient, Commonwealth Scholar Cynthia Okoli, heading to the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, expressed excitement about the opportunity to broaden her professional and cultural horizons.

Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are globally recognised programmes awarded to individuals with strong academic records, leadership potential, and a commitment to national development. With over 4,500 Nigerians as alumni — 3,000 from Commonwealth and 1,500 from Chevening — the country has one of the largest global networks of beneficiaries, many of whom occupy key roles in governance, academia, and business.

By Adeola Olaniya | August 28, 2025