Eighty-five Nigerians have been awarded the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships by the United Kingdom Government to pursue a variety of master’s and PhD programmes in the United Kingdom in 2025.
According to the British High Commission via a statement on Thursday, this year’s recipients include 39 Chevening scholars and one Chevening fellow, alongside 45 Commonwealth scholars selected so far.
A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja on Wednesday to honour scholars from the capital and surrounding areas, with a similar event scheduled for September in Lagos.
At the Abuja reception, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, congratulated the recipients on their success in what she described as a highly competitive selection 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, encouraged the scholars to make the most of the 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 new 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 as quoted in the statement.
Commonwealth Scholar Cynthia Okoli, who is set to study at the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also expressed her excitement.
“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.
Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are awarded to individuals who exhibit academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to contributing to the development of their home country.
Nigeria is home to one of the largest alumni networks in the world for both programmes, with over 4,500 scholars—3,000 from the Commonwealth and 1,500 from Chevening—many of whom hold key positions in government, academia, and the private sector, according to the BHC.
