By Peter Omopo
Abuja, July 8, 2025 — A total of 104 young Nigerians have been awarded European Union-funded postgraduate scholarships for the 2025–2026 academic session under the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Plus Programme.
The announcement was made during the Erasmus+ Pre-Departure Orientation Ceremony held in Abuja on Friday, where the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, congratulated the recipients for emerging successful from a highly competitive global selection process.
“Over 15,000 applications were received worldwide, and you stand among the selected few. You should be proud of yourselves — and so are we,” Mignot said.
Of the 104 awardees, 83 Nigerians (nearly 80%) secured fully funded Erasmus scholarships, which cover tuition, travel, living expenses, and other academic needs across multiple international universities.
Mignot highlighted that Nigeria remains Africa’s top participant in the Erasmus programme and ranks among the global top five, alongside countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Mexico. He added that over 800 Nigerians have benefited from Erasmus scholarships since 2014 — with more than 600 awarded in the last four years alone.
The Erasmus Mundus Programme is renowned for its interdisciplinary and multicultural academic approach. Scholars will pursue master’s degrees at multiple universities across EU Member States and other partner countries including the UK and Türkiye, gaining exposure to diverse cultures, educational systems, and research environments.
“Erasmus Plus is not your typical study programme,” the ambassador said. “It is a transformative, international academic journey that will empower you to become future practitioners, researchers, and decision-makers.”
He also emphasized the broader impact of education, noting that the EU remains committed to supporting educational development in Nigeria — especially basic education, girls’ education, and education in conflict-affected regions such as the North-West.
At the end of the programme, scholars will earn internationally recognised degrees and carry with them a network of global connections, cross-cultural insights, and a strong foundation for leadership roles both within and beyond Nigeria.
