The United Kingdom has awarded 85 Nigerians the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to pursue master’s and doctorate degrees in 2025.
A statement from the British High Commission on Thursday revealed that the awardees include 39 Chevening scholars, one Chevening fellow, and 45 Commonwealth scholars.
At a pre-departure ceremony in Abuja, British Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever commended the recipients, describing the selection as highly competitive. She noted that the scholars would act as ambassadors, driving positive change in Nigeria upon their return.
Director of Programmes at the British Council, Chikodi Onyemerela, encouraged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity, stressing the impact of knowledge and networks they would bring back.
Among the awardees is Tijjani Mukaddas, the 2025 Chevening Fellow, who will study at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies, focusing on policies to tackle Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
Another recipient, Cynthia Okoli, a Commonwealth scholar, will study at the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, expressing excitement about gaining global exposure and building lasting networks.
The scholarships, awarded based on academic excellence and leadership potential, have produced over 4,500 Nigerian alumni, many of whom now hold key positions in government, academia, and the private sector.
