Eighty-five Nigerians have been awarded the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships by the United Kingdom Government to pursue master’s and doctorate programmes in the United Kingdom in 2025.
According to a statement from the British High Commission on Thursday, this year’s awardees include 39 Chevening scholars, one Chevening fellow, and 45 Commonwealth scholars.
A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja on Wednesday to honour scholars from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring states, while a similar event has been scheduled for September in Lagos.
At the Abuja reception, 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 batch of scholars depart for the UK, knowing they will return to strengthen the Chevening network in Nigeria. “They will act as ambassadors, sharing their understanding of UK systems, policies, and life, while using their experiences to drive positive change here in Nigeria and beyond,” Lever said.
The Director of Programmes at the British Council Nigeria, Chikodi Onyemerela, urged the awardees to maximize the opportunity.
“As you leave for the United Kingdom, you carry the hopes of your communities and the promise of contributing to Nigeria’s future. The knowledge, skills, and networks you acquire will return as seeds of innovation, leadership, and progress,” he said.
Among the recipients is Tijjani Mukaddas, the 2025 Chevening Fellow, who will study at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies.
“With over 18 million Nigerian children out of school, the Chevening Fellowship enables me to design impactful policies to integrate them into education. It’s a dream come true,” Mukaddas said.
Commonwealth scholar Cynthia Okoli, set to study at the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also expressed excitement.
“These experiences will broaden my perspective, strengthen my ability to work in multidisciplinary settings, and build lasting networks across disciplines and cultures,” she said.
The Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships target individuals with academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to national development.
Nigeria hosts one of the largest alumni communities of both schemes worldwide, with over 4,500 beneficiaries, 3,000 from the Commonwealth and 1,500 from Chevening, according to the British High Commission.
Many of these beneficiaries now hold leadership positions in government, academia, and the private sector.
