This year, 85 Nigerian students have been selected for the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships, awarded by the United Kingdom Government to support master’s and doctoral studies in the UK. The announcement, made by the British High Commission, highlighted that 39 Nigerians, along with one fellow, received the Chevening Scholarship, while another 45 were granted the Commonwealth Scholarship. These recipients were chosen after a highly competitive selection process.

To honour the scholars, a pre-departure event was held in Abuja for those from the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding states, with a similar gathering scheduled for Lagos in September. The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Gill Lever, commended the awardees, describing them as exceptional individuals who stood out among thousands of applicants. She noted that these scholars would not only gain knowledge abroad but would also act as ambassadors of the UK’s educational and cultural values, bringing back global perspectives to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s progress.

In her words, Mrs. Lever emphasized the importance of the Chevening and Commonwealth communities in Nigeria, stating that the scholars will return with experiences that will help shape systems, influence policies, and bring about positive change in the country.

Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes at the British Council Nigeria, further encouraged the recipients to make the most of the opportunity. He reminded them that their achievements carried the aspirations of their communities and urged them to use the knowledge and networks they gain to drive innovation and development back home.

Some awardees, like Tijjani Mukaddas and Cynthia Okoli, shared their excitement. Mukaddas, a Chevening Fellow heading to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, plans to use the opportunity to develop education policies, while Okoli, a Commonwealth Scholar, expressed enthusiasm about creating interdisciplinary global connections.

The UK government reaffirmed Nigeria’s position as one of the largest recipients of these scholarships globally, with over 4,500 alumni—more than 3,000 from the Commonwealth scheme and over 1,500 from Chevening—many of whom now hold influential roles across various sectors in Nigeria.