🍁 GuideCAN Quick Answer
No. The table below contains nine verified examples, not a complete list. Nigerian students can pursue broad international awards, university entrance scholarships, awards for Black students and—after enrolling in Canada—some graduate awards. Each has separate degree, admission, residency and applicant-category rules.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Award | Study level and coverage | Deadline or application route |
|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson | Undergraduate; tuition, books, incidental fees and residence support for four years | School nomination Oct 9; U of T admission Oct 16; scholarship Nov 6 |
| UBC International Scholars | Undergraduate; need-based award amount varies | Admission and award application Nov 15, 11:59 p.m. PST |
| McCall MacBain | Eligible McGill master’s/professional programs; tuition, fees and living support | Other international university group closed Aug 19; Canada/US university group Sep 23 |
| UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) | Undergraduate; $10,000–$25,000 per year for 2026/2027 | Apply to UBC by its admission deadline; no separate scholarship form |
| Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship | Undergraduate; $10,000 applied to first-year tuition | Automatic for eligible international fee-paying students in most first-year programs |
| Waterloo scholarships for Black students | Undergraduate; published awards range from $1,200–$40,000 | Apply through the applicant portal; current page lists April 15 |
| McGill major entrance scholarships | Undergraduate; award value and renewal terms vary | Applicants from schools outside Canada: Jan 21, 2027, midnight Montreal time |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship—Doctoral | Doctoral; $40,000 per year for 36 months | Only after registration in an eligible Canadian doctorate; university deadline may be earlier |
| Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship | Graduate; $11,000–$15,000 | For enrolled students; the Alberta institution selects recipients and sets its process |
These examples are grouped on one page for Nigerian applicants, but most are not Nigeria-only scholarships. University faculty, donor and research awards can add many more possibilities. Availability depends on the exact program and intake, so the official institution database remains the final source.
What “for Nigerian students” really means
Start with citizenship eligibility, then check degree level, where you currently study, academic history and admission status. McCall MacBain assigns deadlines partly by the location of your university, not only nationality. Pearson requires nomination by your secondary school. UBC requires a separate International Scholars application, a nominator, a teacher referee and detailed financial information.
Current deadlines and urgent actions
As of September 15, 2026, McCall MacBain’s deadline for applicants at universities outside Canada and the United States has passed. Eligible applicants studying at or graduating from a Canadian or US university have until September 23 at 4 p.m. ET. Pearson and UBC deadlines follow in October and November. Never substitute a general admission deadline for an earlier scholarship deadline.
How to build a Nigerian applicant shortlist
Search the official EduCanada database using Nigerian citizenship and your study profile, then check each university’s awards page. Separate awards open to new international applicants from awards available only after enrolment. Ask whether the university applies on the student’s behalf, whether admission is required first and whether funding is renewable.
Awards available only after you enrol in Canada
CGRS Doctoral is not an overseas-entry scholarship: an international applicant must already be registered in an eligible Canadian doctoral program by the relevant deadline, and up to 15% of awards are available to international applicants. Alberta’s Graduate Excellence Scholarship also requires enrolment and residence in Alberta while studying, with the institution selecting recipients. These are genuine options for eligible Nigerians, but they should not be used as proof of funding before admission unless formally awarded.
Do not rely on vague claims about company, development-bank or Nigerian government scholarships without an active competition page. A named sponsor is not proof that a scholarship currently exists. Record only opportunities with a current official URL, eligibility rules, deadline, coverage and application route.
Budget beyond the award
Compare tuition, mandatory fees, health insurance, housing, food, flights and exchange-rate risk against the award letter. A fixed scholarship may be substantial without covering the full cost. Do not present expected part-time work, an unconfirmed assistantship or a pending scholarship as guaranteed funding.
The University of Toronto prohibits using generative AI to compose undergraduate award applications. Follow each scholarship’s academic-integrity policy and submit work that is genuinely your own.
- Search official Canadian scholarships by citizenship
- Compare fully funded scholarships
- Prepare a compliant scholarship essay
Find scholarships matched to your profile
Use the GuideCAN Scholarship Finder to build a personalized shortlist based on your education, immigration status, province and background. Treat the results as a discovery tool, then confirm eligibility, value and deadlines on the official provider page before applying.
Written and reviewed by the GuideCAN Editorial Team
Last reviewed
Editorially reviewed for clarity, practical usefulness and alignment with the official starting points listed below.
Official sources
- University of Toronto — Pearson Scholarship
- UBC — International student awards
- McCall MacBain — Apply
- Waterloo — International scholarships
- McGill — Entrance scholarship instructions
- CGRS Doctoral — Official program
- Alberta — Graduate Excellence Scholarship
- EduCanada — Scholarship search
Official rules, fees, deadlines and program availability can change. Confirm the current details before acting.