Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Nigeria

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25254-NG
Activity Type
Professional Project
The Professional Project activity type provides professionals and artists in various fields the opportunity to interact with relevant organizations abroad to explore a topic related to their field without answering a defined research question. Professional Projects may include: professional consultations; artist residencies; visits to organizations in the applicant's field; practical experience in day-to-day operations; public lectures; mentoring; arranging exhibitions, performances or musical compilations; preparation of print materials (books, articles, or reviews); exchange of expertise with other professionals; participation in public events; or other appropriate professional activities.
Teaching
Teaching includes classroom teaching, as well as giving guest lectures, workshops, and seminars, and engaging in other related activities. Classroom teaching is typically at the undergraduate and graduate level, and courses may be designed by the scholar or prescribed by the host institution and may be taught or co-taught by the scholar. The teaching load varies by award, as well as the host institution. Scholars may also consult on building research capacity, advise graduate students, and assist with thesis advising.
Teaching/Research
A combination of teaching and research as described above. Refer to the award description for any specifications on percentages of time that should be devoted to teaching vs research.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) not required
Career Profile
Artists
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in an artistic profession.
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of recipients

Up To
7
Award Start Period
September 2026 - March 2027
Award Length
6 months, or 7 months, or 8 months, or 9 months, or 10 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Projects are sought in all disciplines
Scholars selected for this award can choose to
Advise and/or mentor students
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Award Activity

Teach undergraduate or graduate courses in any discipline at participating host institutions. Advise students and help them in research techniques. Supervise theses and dissertations. Review the current courses and recommend improvement measures. Develop new courses and training manuals. Scholars may also conduct research in their area of specialization, in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Interested scholars may organize seminars or workshops focused on developing and building the capacity of faculty in their host institutions. Scholars can also participate in various training programs in their host institutions. Scholars may propose a professional project, particularly in the areas of film, theater or fine arts. 

Locations
Location Selection: Award must be undertaken at one of the following institutions
Locations Detail

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has an Embassy in Abuja and a Consulate General in Lagos. Responsibility for support to Fulbright scholars is divided between the two offices geographically.

For the Lagos office, possible host institutions are:

  • Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
  • Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State
  • Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State
  • Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State
  • Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State
  • Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State
  • Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
  • Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
  • Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Lagos State
  • Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State
  • University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
  • University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State
  • University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
  • University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State
  • University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
  • University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

NEW INSTITUTION - For scholars and researchers interested in science-driven agricultural research focused on improvement of agriculture and related food value chains, you are encouraged to apply working with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan through the Africa Regional Research Award. You must be ready to work in any of their four crucial areas including Biotechnology and Genetics, Natural Resource Management, Social Science and Agribusiness, Plant Production and Plant Health and Nutrition and Food Technology.

While the University of Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt and Delta State University in Abraka are Fulbright partner institutions, placements are not possible at this time due to ongoing security concerns.

For the Abuja office, possible host institutions are:

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

As a result of current insecurity in the North East region of Nigeria, we are not able to host scholars at the American University of Nigeria in Yola.

Award Length and Period

Grants can begin in September 2025 or later, depending on the institution's calendar.

Areas of Interest

Applications are especially encouraged in the humanities and social sciences, American studies, business administration, conflict management, economics, information and communication technology, journalism, law, mass communications and political science. 

University of Lagos welcomes applications in nursing, systems engineering or mechatronics, mechanical engineering, creative arts (theater arts, visual arts or music), business administration and sociology.

Special Features

Most universities will provide housing for Fulbright scholars and willingness to adapt to local conditions is very important. The University of Lagos has comfortable 2-bedroom apartments for scholars. Pan-Atlantic University also provides comfortable housing for scholars in a gated and secure estate in Ibeju-Lekki. Many federal universities may only be able to provide a room in a shared house or a room in the university guest house, which may not be appropriate for scholars with dependents. 

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Not applicable – all U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is required.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

A letter of invitation is required. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will confirm placements at appropriate host institutions following receipt of recommended applications.

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Language Requirement

All teaching will be in English; proficiency in another language is not required.

Additional Qualification Information

Academics should have a PhD and scholars with a minimum of five years of university teaching and research experience are preferred. Open to appropriately qualified professionals outside of academia.

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$6570
$8170
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$7340
$9160
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent designated by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents. A $2,050 allowance will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage.

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,000 books and educational materials allowance; if possible, educational materials should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure. (For Teaching and Teaching/Research awards only.) 

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits.
 

Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $200/month to $500/month. 

In addition, round-trip, economy class travel is provided for up to two dependents. 

Dependent education allowance of up to $12,500 per child or $25,000 per family for accompanying dependents in grades K-12 is reimbursed for a full academic year, upon submission of receipts, and depending on funding availability. Amount may be adjusted for shorter grant periods. Reimbursement is based on actual cost of tuition and fees only. 

Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.

Estimated Cost of Living

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. Estimated annual cost of a decent two-bedroom apartment in a good and secure neighborhood in these cities is $3,600. 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.

Special Award Benefits

When university housing is provided to Fulbright Scholars, grantees will receive a supplemental housing allowance in lieu of a full housing allowance for refurbishments, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses that arise. The full housing allowance will not be provided to grantees if they elect to decline on-campus or university housing.

Please refer to the figures above for an estimate of total monthly Fulbright award benefits. Benefits may include a monthly base stipend, living and housing allowances, and additional one-time allowances. Benefits may vary based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent), the city of placement, the type of award (teaching, teaching/research, or research), and the number of and duration of stay of accompanying dependents. Research-only or Professional Project grantees receive a standard stipend that is not adjusted for academic rank. In most cases, dependent benefits will not be provided to Flex grantees, or to grantees pursuing grants less than four months (or a semester) in length.

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Nigeria

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million, is a diverse multiethnic country with a rich cultural heritage and history. Nigeria is 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 scholars will have many opportunities to learn about Nigerian history and culture during their exchange experience. The Embassy provides guidance and assistance for Fulbright scholars’ 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.

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.