The United Kingdom Government has awarded 85 Nigerians the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to undertake master’s and PhD programmes in the UK in 2025.
The British High Commission disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the awardees comprise 39 Chevening scholars, one Chevening fellow, and 45 Commonwealth scholars selected so far.
A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja on Wednesday for beneficiaries from the capital and neighbouring states, while another round is scheduled for September in Lagos.
At the Abuja reception, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, congratulated the recipients for excelling in what she described as a very competitive 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.
“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 a positive change in this country and the world,” Lever noted.
The Director of Programmes at the British Council Nigeria, Chikodi Onyemerela, also urged the scholars to maximise the rare opportunity.
“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,” Onyemerela noted.
Among the awardees is Tijjanni Mukaddas, the 2025 Chevening Fellow, who will study at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies.
“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,” he said.
Also speaking, Commonwealth Scholar Cynthia Okoli, who will study at the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, expressed excitement over the scholarship.
“I look forward to developing my interpersonal and professional skills, as well as building lasting friendships and networks that cut across disciplines and cultures through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission events and interactions with classmates and faculty from both schools.
“These experiences will broaden my perspective and strengthen my ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary settings,” Okoli noted.
