Studying in Europe without worrying about tuition fees is becoming a reality for more Nigerian students.
Nigeria has once again emerged as Africa’s leading beneficiary of the European Uni Mmon’s Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarship programme, with 163 Nigerian students admitted in 2026 and 89 of them securing fully funded scholarships.
The milestone was announced by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, during the 2026 Erasmus Mundus Pre-Departure Orientation in Abuja.
The event brought together scholarship recipients, prospective applicants, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, education agencies, EU Member States and Erasmus alumni to prepare students for their academic journey across Europe.
Congratulating the awardees, Mignot said Nigeria ranked as the top country in Africa and among the top five globally, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and the United States.
“This year we have about 163 Nigerian students admitted into these master’s programmes. This places Nigeria again, like in 2024, as the top country in Africa and among the top five globally,” he said.
According to the ambassador, 89 Nigerians secured the highly competitive Erasmus Mundus scholarships this year, an increase from 81 recipients in 2025.
He noted that Nigerians have benefited from the programme since 2014 and said the initiative is now approaching 1,000 Nigerian scholarship recipients.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme offers fully funded postgraduate education, allowing students to study at at least two universities in different European countries before graduating with a joint, double or multiple degree.
Mignot described the programme as one of the European Union’s most successful education initiatives, saying it gives talented young Nigerians access to world-class education based on merit.
“It demonstrates the readiness of the EU to offer regular migration opportunities for young Nigerians to travel and study in Europe, based on their merit, capacity and abilities.”
He also reminded the students that the scholarship comes with responsibility, urging them to represent Nigeria positively while abroad and contribute to national development after completing thei studies.
“You will be the ambassadors of Nigeria across Europe. And once you are back, we expect you to become true ambassadors of Europe in Nigeria,” he said.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Dr Chinelo Nwosu encouraged the scholars to make the most of the opportunity.
“Go to school, come back and continue to develop Nigeria. Be good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever you are.”
One of this year’s beneficiaries, Oluchi Myron, who will study Cultural Management, said the scholarship offers more than an international degree.
“I wanted an opportunity not just to study abroad, but also to experience different cultures,” she said, adding that she hopes to return to Nigeria after her studies to establish a business focused on cultural management and heritage preservation.
Credit: TheGuardian
The latest achievement further highlights Nigeria’s growing presence in global scholarship programmes and offers fresh inspiration to students hoping to pursue international education through merit-based opportunities.
Credit: TheGuardian
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