UK awards Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to 127 Nigerian recipients

A notable achievement has been reached as the British Government confers the highly esteemed Chevening and Commonwealth UK scholarships upon 127 deserving Nigerians, granting them the opportunity to pursue a diverse range of master’s and PhD programs in 2023.

Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner, conveyed his congratulations to the successful recipients who emerged victorious in the rigorous application and interview process. His sentiments were expressed through a statement released on Wednesday.

Addressing the scholars at a pre-departure reception in Abuja, Montgomery remarked, “Your presence here is a testament to your diligence, perseverance, and resilience in the face of a highly competitive process. I encourage each of you to strive for excellence in your studies, to represent Nigeria brilliantly in the UK, and to fully seize every opportunity during your scholarship journey. This includes expanding your knowledge, fostering cultural exchange, and building valuable networks. Ultimately, I urge you to bring these experiences back to Nigeria, contributing to your country’s growth and positive global change.”

Notable Commonwealth Scholar Michael Oyedoyin, who will be pursuing Family and Child Psychology at the University of Chester, UK, shared his aspirations. He mentioned, “While I have always had a passion for teaching and hold a degree in Teacher Education, my experiences in schools revealed that family issues often underlie students’ academic struggles. Thus, I have chosen this master’s program to equip myself with the skills to support my students beyond the classroom.”

Odera Akpata, a distinguished Chevening Scholar, selected for the International Business program at the University of Warwick, UK, reflected on his journey. He stated, “Looking back at my previous two application attempts, I am reminded that persistence rewards us with remarkable achievements.”

The Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are bestowed upon individuals who showcase intellectual prowess, leadership potential, and a dedication to the progress of their home countries.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Chevening Scholarship has granted fully-funded scholarships to 44 Nigerian students, enabling them to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK. The recipients were meticulously selected from an impressive pool of over 14,000 applications in Nigeria and more than 62,000 applications worldwide. Notably, approximately 1,500 Nigerian alumni have benefited from the Chevening scholarship.

The statement further added, “In the current year, the Commonwealth Scholarship program is sending off 83 scholars to pursue studies in the UK. Each year, over 100 Nigerian students benefit from this scholarship for postgraduate and PhD degrees. Since its inception, the Commonwealth scheme has positively impacted over 2,500 alumni in Nigeria.”