British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever and some of the Chevening scholars at the pre-departure reception in Abuja on Thursday.

The British Government has granted esteemed Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to 82 students from Nigeria for the 2024 academic year. These scholarships will allow the recipients to engage in master’s and PhD programs in the United Kingdom.

This announcement was made by the British High Commission in Abuja on Friday, as stated by Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe.

This year, 32 Nigerians have been awarded Chevening scholarships, while 50 have received Commonwealth scholarships.

The statement highlighted, “The British Government has awarded 82 Nigerians the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to pursue a variety of master’s and PhD programs in the UK in 2024. This year, 32 scholars have been selected for Chevening scholarships, and 50 for Commonwealth scholarships.”

The highly competitive selection process concluded with a pre-departure ceremony on Thursday in Abuja for scholars from the capital and nearby areas.

A similar event is scheduled for next week in Lagos, where Deputy Head of Mission, Abby Bernard, will welcome scholars from Lagos and its surroundings.

During the Abuja ceremony, British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever, congratulated the scholars and reaffirmed the UK’s dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s educational landscape.

She emphasized, “The UK remains committed to supporting the educational advancement of Nigerians and ensures a transparent and inclusive selection process.”

Lever also urged the recipients to excel academically, represent Nigeria with distinction, and utilize their international experiences to foster positive change upon their return.

Idowu Akintade, the Director of Operations at the British Council Nigeria, emphasized the importance of establishing robust networks and leveraging their acquired knowledge to support Nigeria's development goals. "We aspire for the skills and insights you gain from this scholarship to empower you to make a meaningful contribution to Nigeria's development agenda. I urge each of you to cultivate strong connections and to serve as exemplary representatives of the esteemed Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships," he stated.

The Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are granted to individuals who exhibit intellectual prowess, leadership potential, and a dedication to the advancement of their home country.

The commission reports that Nigeria boasts a significant alumni network, with over 4,500 individuals (3,000 from Commonwealth and 1,500 from Chevening) who are making notable contributions to the nation's development.