Education
UK awards 68 Nigerians Chevening, Commonwealth scholarships for 2026 study – EnviroNews
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The United Kingdom Government has awarded 68 Nigerians prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to pursue master’s and PhD programmes at universities across the UK in 2026.
Pre-departure ceremonies were held in Abuja and Lagos to celebrate the successful scholars and prepare them for their academic programmes.
Of the 68 awardees, 12 received the highly competitive Chevening scholarships, while 56 Nigerians have so far been awarded Commonwealth scholarships.
Speaking at the pre-departure reception in Abuja, Chargée d’Affaires of the British High Commission in Abuja, Ms. Vicky Seymour, congratulated the scholars on emerging successful from the rigorous application and interview process.
Seymour described the scholarships as an investment not only in the beneficiaries but also in Nigeria’s future, urging the scholars to apply the knowledge and experiences gained in the UK to contribute to national development upon their return.
“Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars have bright futures – and we see your time in the UK not only as an investment in you as individuals, but also in the future of Nigeria,” she said.
She added that the scholars would join a distinguished community of alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions in Nigeria and beyond.
“On your return to Nigeria, I know you will go on to do great things, just as your alumni have done before you. It is therefore my hope that you too will bring these experiences back to Nigeria and use them to achieve remarkable things for your country and put your own mark on the future of this great nation,” Seymour said.
One of the Chevening scholars, Sarah Nathaniel Yanayork, who will study International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex, described the award as the culmination of a three-year journey of resilience and personal growth.
Yanayork said the scholarship would provide an opportunity to deepen her academic knowledge, build international networks and engage in volunteerism, with the ultimate goal of contributing to good governance and inclusive development in Nigeria.
She described the award as more than a personal achievement, saying it would strengthen her long-term commitment to human rights and community transformation.
Similarly, Commonwealth scholar Abubakar Umar, who will study Special Educational Needs at the University of Exeter, said the scholarship was particularly meaningful to him as a person with hearing impairment.
Umar said his experience of the scholarship process demonstrated the importance of inclusion, from the application stage through the post-selection process.
“As a person with a hearing impairment, this is very special for me. Being a Commonwealth Scholar is beyond just a scholarship; it is a journey to an inclusive system – the UK standard,” he said.
He described the opportunity as the beginning of a broader journey centred on resilience, inclusion and the promotion of more accessible systems.
The Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are expected to equip the Nigerian scholars with advanced knowledge, professional networks and skills that they can deploy in their respective fields and contribute to Nigeria’s development after completing their studies.