The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Nigeria

Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Flexible Start
Grant Length
6-9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Nigeria aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Nigeria. 

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Fulbright grants begin between August 2025 and March 2026, subject to approval by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation

As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2025.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million, is a diverse multiethnic country with a rich cultural heritage and history. Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa and its film industry, known as Nollywood, is one of the largest in the world. The country is known for its creative fashion industry that plays an important cultural role and contributes to its economy. Fulbright students will have many opportunities to learn about Nigerian history and culture during their exchange experience.

The Embassy and Consulate provide guidance and assistance for Fulbrighters’ welfare, safety, and security, including how to obtain assistance in an emergency. A limited number of schools are available for accompanying dependent K-12 school-age children.

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: Although English is the official language, knowledge of a local language or pidgin English may be needed for certain projects.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria has an Embassy in Abuja and a Consulate General in Lagos. Responsibility for support to Fulbrighters is divided between the two offices geographically. For the Lagos office, possible host institutions include:

  • University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
  • Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State
  • Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State
  • University of Nigeria, Nsukka (and Enugu campus), Enugu State
  • Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State
  • Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State
  • Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
  • University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
  • University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
  • University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State
  • Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
  • Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

While Delta State University in Abraka and the University of Port Harcourt are Fulbright partner institutions, affiliations with these two schools are not possible at this time due to ongoing security and logistical concerns.

For the Abuja office, possible host institutions include:

  • University of Abuja, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
  • Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
  • Bayero University, Kano, Kano State
  • Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State
  • University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State
  • University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State
  • Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
  • Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State
  • Baze University, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
  • Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Kaduna State
  • Veritas University, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
  • Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory

As a result of the current insecurity in the North East region of Nigeria, affiliations are not possible with the American University of Nigeria in Yola and University of Maiduguri in Borno State.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure affiliation with an appropriate host institution. It is strongly recommended that candidates identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits
Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

4,100 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

3,550 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance
Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Generally, the cost of living in Nigeria is lower than in the United States on average. However, major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are expensive to live in compared to other cities. The estimated annual cost of a decent two-bedroom apartment in a good and secure neighborhood in these cities is $3,600. The average price for a one-way intra-city transportation by taxi in these cities is $10. Taxi companies like Uber and Taxify are popular in major cities. Fulbrighters who plan to travel with dependents should factor in the cost of education for their children. In Nigeria, private schools are better options. The estimated annual tuition fees in elementary school is $2,500 and high school is $3,500.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.AF@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://ng.usembassy.gov
Field of Study Restrictions

Projects involving the laboratory sciences are discouraged because most Nigerian universities have inadequate laboratory equipment for students, and conducting science experiments is often difficult as a result.

Visa Requirements

While not required at the time of application, candidates should note that written consent from the Vice Chancellor of the affiliate university is necessary for their visas. A visa will not be issued by the Nigerian Embassy/Consulate until the Vice Chancellor’s letter is received.

Incoming Fulbrighters should apply for an STR visa and should not enter Nigeria with a business visa or tourist visa. The documents needed for the STR visa application include the Fulbright letter of award, degrees/certificates, and a curriculum vita. Grantees are not required to provide expatriate quota evidence in their visa application since they will not be working. The STR visas are subject to regularization at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Headquarters while in Nigeria.

Security Considerations

Candidates with projects in the Niger Delta and certain parts of Northern Nigeria will not be considered due to acute logistical and security concerns.

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Clemson Ayegbusi: AyegbusiCO@state.gov
Bella Anne Ndubuisi: NdubuisiBC@state.gov