Scholarships to Study in Canada from Nigeria

Every year, thousands of Nigerian students set their sights on Canada — and it’s easy to see why. World-class universities, a welcoming multicultural society, a clear pathway to permanent residence, and a currency exchange rate that (unlike some other study destinations) doesn’t wipe out a family’s savings overnight. The one obstacle that stops most applicants isn’t admission — it’s funding. That’s where scholarships to study in Canada from Nigeria come in.

This guide walks through the most credible, currently active scholarships for Nigerian students, how they work, what they actually cover, and how to put together an application that stands a real chance.

Why Nigerian Students Choose Canada

Before diving into the scholarships themselves, it helps to understand what makes Canada different from the UK, US, or other popular destinations:

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): graduates can often work in Canada for up to three years after finishing their program, which is a major pathway toward permanent residence.
• Lower cost of living compared to many US or UK cities, especially outside Toronto and Vancouver.
• Globally ranked universities — the University of Toronto, McGill University, UBC, and the University of Waterloo all sit comfortably in world top-100 rankings.
• Safety and multiculturalism, with large, established Nigerian communities in cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Because so many Nigerian applicants target Canada, competition for scholarships is intense. The good news: there is real funding available, at every level — undergraduate, master’s, and PhD.

Top Scholarships to Study in Canada from Nigeria

1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship — University of Toronto

This is widely considered the University of Toronto’s most prestigious undergraduate award for international students. It’s a fully funded, four-year scholarship covering tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence support. Around 37 students are selected globally each year, so competition is steep — but Nigerian students have won it before.

• Level: Undergraduate (first-entry, September intake)
• Coverage: Tuition, books, incidental fees, full residence support for four years
• How to apply: You’re nominated by your secondary school — one nominee per school — after which you complete the U of T admission application and a separate scholarship application.
• Important: U of T has warned about fraudulent agents claiming to help with Pearson applications for a fee. The scholarship never charges application fees.
• Official page: future.utoronto.ca/pearson-scholarships

2. McCall MacBain Scholarship — McGill University

Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarship for graduate study, funded by a $200-million gift to McGill University. It’s aimed at master’s and select second-entry professional programs, and it’s genuinely comprehensive.

• Level: Master’s / second-entry professional undergraduate programs
• Coverage: Full tuition and fees, a living stipend, summer funding options, and a relocation grant to Montreal, plus mentorship and a leadership development program
• How to apply: Apply directly through the McCall MacBain portal ahead of McGill’s own graduate admissions deadline
• Official page: mcgill.ca — McCall MacBain Scholarship and mccallmacbainscholars.org

3. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program — University of Toronto

This program specifically targets citizens of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, for fully funded graduate study in health-related fields at U of T. It’s one of the most generous packages available to African students anywhere in Canada.

• Level: Graduate (master’s), health and biomedical-related programs
• Coverage: Tuition, travel to Canada (including passport and visa fees), housing, food stipend, health insurance, and learning materials
• Eligibility note: Applicants generally need to be graduating from — or have graduated from — a partner institution of the Africa Health Collaborative, so check the partner list before applying.
• Official page: internationalexperience.utoronto.ca — Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

4. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (formerly Vanier CGS)

Worth flagging clearly: the well-known Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, long advertised across scholarship blogs as offering CAD 50,000 a year for PhD study, stopped accepting new applications after the fall 2024 competition. Canada’s three federal research funders (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC) have replaced it with a new, harmonized Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral program. Many older articles still describe Vanier as open — treat those with caution and always confirm on the official site before applying.

Read Also: Medical Schools in Canada Requirements for International Students

• Level: Doctoral
• Coverage: Historically CAD 50,000/year for up to three years; check the current program page for the harmonized award value
• Official page: vanier.gc.ca (background and transition details)

5. University-Specific Entrance Awards and Excellence Scholarships

Beyond the flagship national awards, most Canadian universities run their own entrance scholarships that Nigerian students are automatically considered for, often based purely on admission grades (including WAEC/NECO results) — no separate application required.

• University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships
• University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Awards and IB Excellence Awards
• University of Calgary Graduate Awards
• UBC International Scholars Program, including the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
• Western University’s entrance scholarships for high-achieving international students

Because eligibility criteria and values change yearly, always confirm current details directly on each university’s international admissions page before you apply.

6. Canadian Government Scholarships (Global Affairs Canada)

Global Affairs Canada runs an International Scholarships Program that periodically opens funding for international students, including Nigerians, at the bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, diploma, and certificate levels. These are administered through EduCanada, the Government of Canada’s official portal for international students.

• Official page: educanada.ca — search “scholarships” for currently open competitions

7. IDRC Research Awards for African Scholars

Aimed at graduate researchers from African countries, including Nigeria, working on development-related research with Canadian institutions. Useful for students pursuing research-heavy master’s or PhD programs.

How to Apply for Scholarships to Study in Canada as a Nigerian Student

Getting a scholarship isn’t just about being a strong student — it’s about applying strategically. Here’s a practical sequence:

1. Start 12–18 months before your intended intake. Many of these scholarships (like Pearson and McCall MacBain) have nomination or application deadlines that fall a full year before the program actually starts.
2. Secure your university admission first, or in parallel. Most scholarships require or run alongside a formal application to the university itself.
3. Nail your WAEC/NECO or degree transcripts. Entrance scholarships are frequently awarded automatically based on these results, so strong grades do real work here.
4. Write a genuinely personal statement. Selection committees for awards like McCall MacBain and Pearson read thousands of essays — generic “I want to change the world” statements don’t stand out. Be specific about your leadership experience and your plans.
5. Line up recommenders early. Strong reference letters take time; ask teachers, lecturers, or supervisors well before the deadline.
6. Apply broadly, not just for one flagship award. Combine a shot at a big national scholarship with several university-specific entrance awards — the odds are far better in aggregate.
7. Verify every scholarship on its official page before applying. As the Vanier CGS example shows, third-party scholarship blogs are often outdated or simply wrong about what’s currently open. Cross-check against the university’s own site or EduCanada.

Read Also: 10 Medical Schools in Canada that Accept International Students

A Word of Caution

Nigeria is a heavily targeted market for scholarship scams. Legitimate Canadian scholarships — including Pearson, McCall MacBain, and the Mastercard Foundation program — never charge application fees and don’t work through paid “agents” who promise guaranteed admission. If anyone asks for money to “process” or “guarantee” a scholarship, treat it as a red flag and go straight to the university’s official international admissions page instead.

Final Thoughts

Scholarships to study in Canada from Nigeria are genuinely competitive, but they are not out of reach. The students who succeed tend to do three things well: they start early, they apply to multiple opportunities rather than pinning everything on one flagship award, and they verify details directly from official sources rather than relying on secondhand scholarship blogs. With a solid application strategy and the right documentation, a fully or partially funded Canadian education is a realistic goal for Nigerian students at every academic level.