By The Federal Ministry of Education has called for applications from Nigerian university graduates for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), an annual nomination exercise that funds postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
In a notice issued by the ministry’s Department of Scholarship Awards, formerly the Federal Scholarship Board, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the ministry said the awards are tenable in two categories, a one year taught Master’s course or a doctoral degree of up to three years, at institutions in the UK.
According to the notice, applicants for the Master’s category must hold a first degree of at least Second Class Upper, while those seeking doctoral awards must present a relevant Master’s degree in addition to at least a Second Class Lower in their first degree. The ministry added that doctoral candidates must also submit a supporting statement from a prospective supervisor at their chosen UK institution.
The notice further stated that all applicants, regardless of category, must have secured admission into at least two UK institutions and must provide evidence of completed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service. Where certificates were obtained outside Nigeria, the ministry said these must be accompanied by official translation and evaluation.
The ministry also tied the exercise to Nigeria’s development priorities, stating that candidates should frame their study proposals around one of several designated sectors, among them education, health, economic growth and the private sector, governance and conflict, climate and environment, water and sanitation, engineering, science and technology, food and nutrition, and humanitarian disasters and emergencies. Applications, it said, will be assessed on academic merit, the anticipated development impact of the study upon completion, and the quality of the submitted study plan.
On how to apply, the ministry directed candidates to the Electronic Application System (EAS), where they are to register, complete the online form, and upload a scanned passport photograph, academic transcripts, birth certificate, and their admission letter from a listed UK institution. The deadline for online submission is 20th October, 2026, after which the ministry said applicants must generate a PDF copy of the completed form, print it, and present the hard copy at the interview venue.
For further details, the ministry referred applicants to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s website, where it publishes full scholarship information and selection criteria, and to the CSC Central portal for user registration. Enquiries, the notice added, can be directed to the Director, Department of Scholarship Awards, via fsb@education.gov.ng, or by phone on 09124516750 and 09082454557.
The notice was signed by Dr. (Mrs.) Folake Olatunji-David, Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary’s Office for Education, for the Honourable Minister of Education.
