The NWDC 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Scheme was cancelled in May 2025. The North West Development Commission announced the cancellation after a Federal Government directive prioritising local education and capacity development. This page is retained as an informational record and should not be treated as an active application notice.
The North West Development Commission (NWDC) announced a 2025/2026 foreign scholarship scheme for students from Nigeria’s North-West region, covering undergraduate, master’s and PhD study abroad. However, shortly after the scheme was announced, the Commission cancelled the foreign-scholarship application process.
If you found an older notice telling you to “apply now” through the NWDC scholarship portal, do not rely on it as evidence that applications are currently open. Check the Commission’s current official communications for any newer education or scholarship programme.
Was the NWDC 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Cancelled?
Yes. The NWDC announced the cancellation of applications for its foreign scholarship scheme in May 2025. Contemporary reports quoting the Commission said the decision followed a Federal Government directive to prioritise education within Nigeria and strengthen local capacity.
The Commission said it would communicate further opportunities and programmes in due course. As of this article’s September 2026 review, AfricanBase has not verified a replacement NWDC 2026/27 foreign-scholarship application cycle.
What Had the 2025/2026 Scheme Offered?
Before its cancellation, the NWDC advertised foreign scholarships for undergraduate, master’s and PhD study. The programme targeted applicants from the seven North-West states: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Published notices listed fields including Engineering, Medical Sciences, ICT/Education and, in some versions of the announcement, Agriculture. Because the programme was subsequently cancelled, these old subject lists should not be interpreted as current NWDC scholarship offerings.
Who Was Eligible Under the Cancelled Scheme?
The 2025 announcement required applicants to be indigenes of one of the seven North-West states. Contemporary versions of the eligibility notice listed academic thresholds for undergraduate, master’s and PhD candidates, together with age limits.
There were differences in some secondary reports about the exact undergraduate and master’s academic thresholds. For that reason, this updated page does not present those historical figures as current requirements. Any future NWDC programme should be assessed using the official call issued for that specific cycle.
Documents Listed for the 2025 Scheme
The cancelled call asked applicants to prepare documents such as a CV, relevant academic certificates, LGA and state indigene certificates, NYSC discharge or exemption documentation where applicable, an international passport, birth certificate or declaration of age, transcripts and a motivation letter.
These were requirements for the 2025 scheme. Do not assume the same document list will apply if the NWDC announces a different programme in the future.
Should You Use the Old NWDC Scholarship Application Link?
No. The old foreign-scholarship scheme was cancelled. Rather than submitting personal documents through an outdated application route, first confirm that the NWDC has issued a new official call and that the application page belongs to the Commission.
NWDC vs NDDC: Do Not Confuse the Two
NWDC means the North West Development Commission. It is different from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The NDDC operated a separate 2026/27 Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for Niger Delta applicants; that programme does not mean the cancelled NWDC foreign scholarship reopened.
What North-West Students Can Do Now
- Monitor official NWDC communications for newly announced education or capacity-development programmes.
- Do not pay anyone claiming to guarantee access to the cancelled 2025/26 foreign scholarship.
- Verify scholarship deadlines and application portals before uploading identity or academic documents.
- Explore other verified scholarship programmes that match your study level and field.
Other Scholarship Guides on AfricanBase
- Browse Fully Funded Scholarship Guides
- Commonwealth Scholarships for Nigerian Students
- WASCAL Scholarships and Graduate Programmes
- How to Write a Scholarship Essay
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NWDC 2025/2026 foreign scholarship still open?
No. The NWDC cancelled the foreign scholarship application scheme in May 2025.
Has NWDC announced a 2026/27 foreign scholarship?
AfricanBase did not verify a current NWDC 2026/27 foreign-scholarship application call during this article’s September 2026 review. Check current NWDC announcements before acting on any application claim.
Is the NDDC foreign scholarship the same programme?
No. NDDC is the Niger Delta Development Commission and operates separately from the North West Development Commission.
Final Note
The original NWDC 2025/2026 foreign-scholarship announcement is no longer an active opportunity. Keeping this page updated helps prevent applicants from following outdated “Apply Now” notices or confusing NWDC with other Nigerian development commissions. If NWDC announces a new verified scholarship programme, this guide can be updated with the new official terms.
