Canada has quietly become one of the most attractive destinations for Nigerian students who want to study abroad, and honestly, it is not hard to see why.
The universities are world-class. The country is multicultural (you will feel less like an outsider). The immigration pathways after graduation are some of the most student-friendly in the world. And unlike the UK where tuition fees alone can make you cry, Canada has options that are genuinely affordable, and in some cases, completely free.
Yes. Free.
In this guide, we are going to walk you through the 10 best masters scholarships in Canada for Nigerian students in 2026. Not just names and links, we will give you the real details on what each one covers, who qualifies, and how to approach the application.
Whether you want to study Engineering, Public Health, Law, Business, or anything in between, there is likely a fully funded opportunity in Canada waiting for you. You just need to know where to look.
Let us get into it.
READ ALSO: Fulbright Scholarship Nigeria: Nigerians Who Got It and How
Table of Contents
Why Canada for Nigerian Students?
Before we get into the scholarships, let us quickly address why Canada is worth your attention.
World-Class Universities Canada has some of the best universities in the world — University of Toronto, McGill, UBC, University of Waterloo, and McMaster regularly appear in global rankings. A degree from any of these opens doors internationally.
Multicultural and Welcoming Canada has one of the highest immigration rates in the world and actively welcomes international students. Nigerian communities exist in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, and Vancouver. You will not feel entirely alone.
Post-Study Work Permit (PGWP) After completing a program of at least 8 months at a Canadian institution, you are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit that allows you to work in Canada for up to 3 years. This matters — even for scholarship holders who eventually return to Nigeria after gaining valuable international experience.
Relatively Safer Visa Approval Rate While Canadian student visas are not guaranteed, the approval rates for Nigerian applicants with strong applications and financial documentation have been more consistent than some other countries.
English-Speaking Most Canadian programs are in English (though some universities in Quebec offer French programs). No IELTS-level anxiety about language barriers in daily life.
How Canadian Scholarships Work (Important Context)
Unlike the UK’s Chevening or Germany’s DAAD — which are centralised scholarships administered by one body — Canadian funding for international students comes from multiple sources:
- The Canadian Government (e.g., Vanier, Banting — these are highly competitive and research-focused)
- Provincial governments (some provinces have their own funding for international researchers)
- Individual Canadian Universities (most major universities offer their own scholarships and fellowships for international students)
- Research supervisor funding (especially for research-based Masters and PhD programs — if a professor has a funded research grant, they can hire graduate students and pay full stipends)
- External organisations (like the Commonwealth Scholarship, which covers Canada as a destination)
This means your strategy for getting funded in Canada may look different from applying for Chevening. For some opportunities, you apply directly to a scholarship fund. For others, you get funding by first securing admission to a university and then your supervisor funds you.
We will explain each option as we go.
Note: Always verify current scholarship details on each program’s official website, as funding amounts, eligibility criteria, and deadlines change annually.
The 10 Best Masters Scholarships in Canada for Nigerians
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
Type: Canadian Government Scholarship
Level: PhD (with some Masters-to-PhD pathway programs qualifying)
Coverage: CAD $50,000 per year for 3 years
Focus: Health, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences and Humanities
The Vanier is the flagship Canadian government scholarship for graduate students. It is extremely prestigious and highly competitive — around 166 awards are given per year across all of Canada, to both domestic and international students. Nigerian students are eligible.
The scholarship is administered through Canadian universities, meaning you must first be admitted to (or apply to) a Canadian university, and the university nominates you for the Vanier. You cannot apply directly.
What it covers: CAD $50,000 per year (roughly ₦55–60 million at recent exchange rates). Tuition is not automatically included — your university or supervisor is expected to provide tuition coverage on top of the Vanier stipend. However, many Vanier recipients receive both.
What you need: Exceptional academic record (First Class equivalent), demonstrated leadership, and a strong research proposal. Most successful Vanier recipients have published research or significant community leadership experience.
How to apply: Contact professors at Canadian universities whose research aligns with yours. Express interest in their lab or research group. If they agree to supervise you, the university can nominate you for the Vanier.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship (Canada)
Type: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Level: Masters and PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + living stipend + flights + other allowances
Open to: Citizens of Commonwealth countries (Nigeria qualifies)
The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the most well-known fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students — and Canada is one of the eligible destination countries, alongside the UK, Australia, and others.
The Canada-specific Commonwealth scholarships are typically coordinated between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Canadian universities. The specific quota for Canada varies by year, and not every cycle includes Canada as a destination.
What it covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend, return flights, and other allowances — a comprehensive package similar to the UK Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship.
How to apply: Through your nominating agency in Nigeria (typically the Federal Scholarship Board) and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website. Applications are submitted through the official CSC portal.
3. University of Toronto Graduate Fellowships
Type: University Scholarship
Level: Masters and PhD
Coverage: Varies — from partial to full funding depending on the program and faculty
Universities: University of Toronto (one of the top 25 universities in the world)
The University of Toronto offers a range of fellowships and awards for incoming international graduate students. The School of Graduate Studies administers several university-wide awards, while individual faculties and departments have their own funding.
For research-based Masters programs (as opposed to coursework Masters), students are often funded through a combination of a supervisor’s research grant, teaching assistantships, and university fellowships.
What it covers: The UofT School of Graduate Studies guarantees minimum funding for research-based Masters students — the exact amount varies by program but has been approximately CAD $15,000–$25,000 per year, often with tuition covered or heavily subsidised.
How to maximise this: Apply to research-based Masters programs (not just professional Masters programs). Contact potential supervisors before applying. A supervisor who is excited about your research will advocate for additional funding from their grants.
4. McGill University Scholarships and Fellowships
Type: University Scholarship
Level: Masters and PhD
Coverage: Varies by faculty and program
University: McGill University, Montreal (consistently ranked top 30 globally)
McGill offers several competitive awards for international graduate students. The key ones for Nigerians include:
- McGill Graduate Excellence Fund (MGEF): Awarded to high-achieving incoming international graduate students. Coverage varies but can include tuition exemption and a living stipend.
- Differential Fee Waivers: Some McGill faculties waive the international student differential fee — meaning you pay domestic tuition rates instead of international rates. This alone saves tens of thousands of dollars.
- Research Supervisor Funding: Many McGill professors fund their graduate students from research grants. This is often the most reliable path to fully funded study at McGill.
Note on Montreal: McGill is in Montreal, Quebec. While McGill teaches in English, the city is predominantly French. Learning basic French will significantly improve your daily life there — and is actually a great additional skill for your resume.
5. University of British Columbia (UBC) International Partial Tuition Scholarship
Type: University Scholarship
Level: Masters
Coverage: Partial tuition (25% tuition reduction for eligible international students)
University: University of British Columbia, Vancouver
UBC is one of Canada’s most beautiful and prestigious universities, located in Vancouver — a stunning city on Canada’s Pacific coast.
The International Partial Tuition Scholarship (IPTS) is automatically considered for eligible international graduate students who are admitted to specific UBC programs. While it does not cover full tuition, it reduces your costs significantly.
More importantly for Nigerians, many UBC graduate programs offer research assistantships and teaching assistantships that provide additional stipends of CAD $12,000–$20,000 per year on top of partial tuition support.
Research-Based Masters: Similar to other top Canadian universities, applying for a research-based Masters and securing a supervisor who has an active research grant is the most reliable path to full funding at UBC.
6. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Type: Canadian Government Fellowship
Level: Postdoctoral (not Masters — but relevant for Nigerian researchers finishing PhDs)
Coverage: CAD $70,000 per year for 2 years
Focus: Health, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences
The Banting is Canada’s top postdoctoral fellowship. It is not a Masters scholarship — it is for people who have already completed a PhD. We include it here because many Nigerian students reading this are planning a longer academic trajectory, and knowing about Banting helps you plan your path.
If you are finishing a PhD (at home or abroad) and want to do postdoctoral research in Canada, the Banting is the most prestigious and most generous option available.
7. IDRC Research Awards (International Development Research Centre)
Type: Canadian Government Research Award
Level: Masters and PhD
Coverage: Living allowance, research grant, travel costs
Focus: International development research specifically relevant to developing countries
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a Canadian Crown corporation that funds research in developing countries. Their Research Awards program supports researchers from the Global South — including Nigeria — who are conducting research on development-related issues.
Who this is for: Researchers working on topics like food security, climate adaptation, public health in Africa, gender and development, economic inequality, or governance. Your research must be directly relevant to developing country contexts.
What it covers: A living allowance for the duration of your award, a research grant for your project costs, and travel allowances. It is not always full tuition coverage — it is research support. Many recipients are enrolled at Canadian universities for Masters or PhD and receive the IDRC award as supplementary research funding.
How to apply: Through the IDRC website (idrc.ca). Check the current available awards and their specific eligibility criteria.
8. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Type: Provincial Government Scholarship (Ontario)
Level: Masters and PhD
Coverage: CAD $10,000–$15,000 per year (in addition to other funding)
Focus: All academic disciplines
Universities: Any Ontario university (Toronto, McMaster, Waterloo, Western, Queens, Ottawa, etc.)
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is funded by the Ontario provincial government and is available to both domestic and international graduate students studying at Ontario universities.
Important: Most OGS awards are administered through the universities themselves — your university applies on your behalf after you are admitted. To be considered, you typically need to be nominated by your department or supervisor.
OGS is usually a supplement to other funding, not a standalone full scholarship. But combined with a supervisor’s research grant and a teaching assistantship, OGS recipients can be fully funded.
9. African Development Bank (AfDB) Japan Scholarship Program (Studying in Canada)
Type: International Organisation Scholarship
Level: Masters
Coverage: Full tuition + living allowance + travel + health insurance
Focus: Development-related disciplines — economics, agriculture, public health, engineering, governance
The African Development Bank administers the Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) for African nationals to study at designated institutions, some of which are in Canada (specifically institutions with development-focused programs).
Who qualifies: Nigerian citizens who have worked in a development-related field for at least 2 years. You must have a confirmed offer of admission from an eligible institution.
What it covers: Full tuition, monthly living allowance, return economy class travel, and health insurance.
How to apply: Through the AfDB website (afdb.org). Applications are typically accepted between October and January for awards commencing later that year.
10. Research Supervisor Direct Funding (The Most Underrated Path)
Type: Professor-to-Student Research Funding
Level: Masters and PhD (Research-based)
Coverage: Full tuition + monthly stipend (typically CAD $1,500–$2,500/month)
Available at: Almost every major Canadian university
This is the most underrated and most reliable path to fully funded graduate study in Canada — and most Nigerian applicants never try it.
Here is how it works: Canadian professors who have active research grants (from NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, or other funders) are allowed to hire graduate students and pay them from those grants. A typical funded position includes:
- Full tuition coverage
- A monthly stipend of CAD $1,500–$2,500 (sometimes more)
- Access to research facilities and conference funding
The trick is to find a professor whose research aligns with yours and reach out to them professionally — before applying to the university.
How to find and approach Canadian professors:
Step 1: Identify your specific research area (be as specific as possible)
Step 2: Search Google Scholar for professors at top Canadian universities publishing in that area
Step 3: Read 2–3 of their recent papers carefully
Step 4: Email them a professional, concise email (4–6 paragraphs maximum) introducing yourself, explaining your research interests, referencing their specific work, and asking if they have funded graduate positions available
Step 5: If they respond positively, apply to the university and mention your professor contact in your application
What the email should look like:
- Subject: “Prospective Graduate Student — [Your Research Interest]”
- Paragraph 1: Who you are, your current position, and your academic background in one sentence each
- Paragraph 2: Specifically reference their paper or project and what interested you about it
- Paragraph 3: Your proposed research idea and how it builds on or connects to their work
- Paragraph 4: Ask directly if they have funded positions available for the upcoming intake
- Keep it under 300 words. Professors are busy.
This approach, done right, has helped many Nigerian students secure fully funded places at Canadian universities that no one else told them about.
READ ALSO: How to Write a Winning Motivation Letter for a Masters Scholarship
General Tips for Applying to Canadian Scholarships
Start Your Research Early Most Canadian scholarship deadlines fall between October and February for programs starting in September. If you are not starting your research in July or August, you are already behind.
Apply to Research-Based Programs Coursework Masters programs (professional programs) are almost never funded in Canada. Research-based Masters programs almost always come with some form of funding if you have a supervisor. Always check what type of Masters a program is before applying.
Your IELTS or TOEFL Matters Most Canadian universities require IELTS 6.5 overall (with no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90+. Some competitive programs require higher. Sort this out early.
Reference Letters Are Critical Canadian graduate programs rely heavily on reference letters to assess your potential as a researcher. Choose referees who can speak specifically to your intellectual ability, research skills, and professional competence — not just your character.
Your Statement of Purpose Must Be Research-Focused Unlike some European scholarships, Canadian graduate applications are heavily research-focused. Your SOP must clearly articulate your research interests, your background in the area, and what you hope to contribute to knowledge in your field.
Can You Stay in Canada After Your Scholarship?
This is the question everyone wants to ask but hesitates to.
Yes — technically, after completing a Canadian degree, you are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if your program was at least 8 months long. After working in Canada for a period, you may qualify for Permanent Residency through programs like the Canadian Experience Class.
However — and this is important — most scholarship programs (Commonwealth, AfDB-JSP, IDRC) require you to return to Nigeria after completing your award. This is a legal and ethical condition. If you violate it, you may be required to repay the scholarship and face other consequences.
The honest advice? Complete your scholarship obligations, return to Nigeria, and build your career. If you later decide to pursue Canadian permanent residency through legitimate immigration channels, do so properly and on your own terms — not by violating a scholarship agreement.
FAQs
Is Canada easier to get into than the UK or USA for Nigerian students? Not necessarily easier, but different. Canadian universities are academically rigorous. However, the culture is generally more welcoming to international students and the pathways to funding through professors are more accessible than many Nigerians realise.
Do I need French to study in Canada? Only if you choose a French-language program or university (like Université de Montréal). English-medium programs are widely available across Canada. That said, knowing French opens additional opportunities, especially in Quebec.
What is the minimum CGPA for Canadian scholarship applications? There is no universal minimum, but most competitive Canadian scholarships and funded research positions go to applicants with the equivalent of a First Class or strong Second Class Upper. Your research output (publications, projects) can also strengthen a borderline GPA.
How long does the Canadian student visa take for Nigerians? Processing times vary significantly and have been extending in recent years. Plan for 8–12 weeks minimum. Apply as soon as you receive your acceptance letter. Do not wait.
Can I apply to multiple Canadian scholarships at once? Yes, and you should. Most scholarships do not require exclusivity at the application stage. You cannot hold two fully funded awards simultaneously, but applying to multiple is standard practice.
READ ALSO: Chevening Scholarship 2026: Secrets to Winning from Nigeria
In Summary
Canada is one of the most accessible destinations for Nigerian students seeking fully funded graduate education, but only if you know how the system works.
The key insight from this guide is this: Canadian funding comes from many places, not just one big government scholarship. The students who succeed are the ones who pursue multiple routes simultaneously, applying to institutional scholarships, reaching out to professors directly, targeting research-based programs, and positioning themselves as genuine researchers with specific contributions to make.
The opportunities are real. The funding is real. The path just requires more strategic thinking than simply filling out a form and hoping.
Start today. Research your field. Find your professors. Write your SOP. The CAD $50,000 stipend and the Toronto winter are both waiting for you.
Which of these 10 scholarships are you most interested in pursuing? Let us know in the comments and we will try to do a more detailed guide on that specific one.
Disclaimer: Scholarship amounts, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines change annually. Always verify current information on each scholarship’s official website before applying. Campus Hustle Nigeria is not affiliated with any of the institutions or scholarship bodies mentioned and will never charge you for access to this information.
