The European Union has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 142 young Nigerians to study at top European universities for the 2024-25 academic session under its Erasmus+ programme.
This achievement marks the sixth consecutive year that Nigeria has retained the top spot among African beneficiaries and places the country among the top five global recipients.
At a pre-departure orientation held in Abuja on Thursday, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Samuela Isopi, highlighted the transformative impact of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) programme, now in its 20th year. She emphasized its benefits for individuals, higher education institutions, and countries within and outside the EU.
The 142 Nigerian awardees are part of the initial batch of recipients announced in Brussels, with the number expected to increase. Most beneficiaries will commence their studies in September 2024, participating in programmes that last between 12 to 24 months. During this period, each student will study at least three universities across various countries within and outside the EU.
The Nigerian scholars have been admitted into cutting-edge programmes such as Renewables-based Power Systems, Chemical Innovation and Regulation, Public Health in Disasters, Bio Refinery, European MSc in Marine Environment 2030, Soil Science, Systems for Sustainable Engineering, Sustainable Mineral and Metal Processing Engineering, and Sustainable Ship and Shipping.
Upon successful completion, EMJMD scholars will receive a master’s degree jointly awarded by a consortium of universities under the Erasmus+ framework. Over the past two decades, Erasmus Mundus has united top universities to offer integrated international study programmes, appealing to students with high academic standards, extensive mobility options, and attractive financial support.
The EU continues to support Nigeria’s higher education sector through Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. Erasmus+ not only offers scholarships but also supports mobility, capacity-building, and joint projects with European institutions. Horizon Europe provides opportunities for Nigeria-based researchers, particularly through the “Africa Initiative II.”
The EU’s educational support aligns with Nigeria’s national objectives, focusing on equitable access to quality education and teacher training. In partnership with state governments, the EU invests in strengthening the education system, enhancing digital technology use, and mainstreaming green skills. A total of EUR 45.4 million has been allocated to education projects from 2021 to 2027, benefiting states including Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Oyo, Katsina, Enugu, and Plateau.
