Every year, thousands of Nigerian students quietly miss out on one of the most generous scholarship systems in the world, Saudi Arabia’s. While everyone scrambles for US and UK programmes, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been funding international students at scale for decades, covering everything from tuition and housing to flights and monthly living allowances.
If you’re a Nigerian student looking to study abroad without burning through your family’s savings, this guide covers exactly what’s available in 2025 and 2026, what it takes to qualify, and how to actually submit a competitive application.
What Is the Saudi Arabia Scholarship 2026 Programme?
Saudi Arabia runs several scholarship tracks, both through its Ministry of Education and through individual universities. The government-managed platform, the Study in Saudi Arabia Portal, is the main entry point for international applicants, including Nigerians. It connects students to over 50 public and private universities across the Kingdom.
The programme includes fully-funded scholarships that cover tuition and other academic expenses for non-Saudi students, with beneficiaries given access to universities, colleges, and specialised institutes across the Kingdom without paying tuition fees. Partial scholarships are also available for candidates who may not secure full funding, reducing tuition costs while still providing access to quality Saudi institutions. Selection is based on merit, academic performance, and programme suitability.
Applications for the 2026 cycle opened on April 19, 2026, and close on May 21, 2026.
How to Apply for Saudi Scholarship from Nigeria: Step-by-Step Checklist
Before diving into the individual programmes, here is the application checklist you need to follow. Missing a single document is enough to get your application flagged or rejected.
Step 1 — Create Your Portal Account Visit studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa and register with a valid email address. Fill in your personal and academic background accurately.
Step 2 — Choose Your Programme and University Candidates can choose up to 25 courses and arrange them in order of preference. Research each university before ranking them.
Step 3 — Gather Your Documents The following documents are typically required:
- Valid international passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended entry date)
- Secondary school certificate and official transcripts (for undergraduate applicants)
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts (for postgraduate applicants)
- Birth certificate
- Medical fitness certificate (confirming absence of infectious diseases)
- Health insurance document
- Proof of financial support or a financial guarantee
- Two recent passport photographs
Step 4 — Get Documents Certified All academic documents must be attested by the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria (located in Abuja). If applying to a religious institution like the Islamic University of Madinah, get attestation from a recognised Islamic organisation as well.
Step 5 — Translate Documents Where Needed Documents not originally in Arabic or English must be professionally translated. Most Saudi universities accept both languages.
Step 6 — Submit the Online Application Complete the form on the portal and upload scanned copies of all documents. Once submitted, applications cannot usually be edited, so accuracy is critical.
Step 7 — Track Your Application Status Log into the portal regularly. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for additional documentation or an interview.
Step 8 — Accept Offer and Apply for Educational Visa Once admitted, students who are not citizens or legal residents of Saudi Arabia need to apply for an educational visa via the Study in Saudi portal.
Saudi Arabia Scholarship Comparison Table
| Scholarship | Funding Level | Levels Available | Monthly Stipend | Key Benefits | Eligibility | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study in Saudi Arabia (Govt) | Full or Partial | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Included | Tuition, housing, visa support, access to 50+ universities | All nationalities, 16+, valid passport | May 21, 2026 |
| Islamic University of Madinah | Fully Funded | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Yes (amount varies) | Tuition, free accommodation, annual return flight, healthcare, book allowance | Male Muslims, ages 17–25 (UG), GPA 3.75/5 for Master’s | June 14, 2026 (UG); Rolling for PG |
| King Fahd University (KFUPM) | Fully Funded | Master’s, PhD | Yes | Tuition, housing, meals, books, travel, visa | Bachelor’s degree in engineering/science, GPA 3.0/4.0 min. | February 28, 2026 (closed; next cycle TBA) |
| King Abdulaziz University | Fully Funded | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Monthly bursary | Tuition, accommodation, healthcare, two-way airfare | Strong academic background, valid passport | Rolling admissions |
| KAUST Graduate Programme | Fully Funded | Master’s, PhD only | Up to $30,000/year | Full tuition, on-campus housing, medical and dental coverage, relocation support | STEM focus, strong research background | Varies by programme |
| IsDB Merit Scholarship | Fully Funded | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Postdoc | Included | Monthly stipend, tuition, medical, travel allowance | Muslim students from IsDB member countries (Nigeria qualifies) | Check IsDB portal |
Islamic Scholarship Saudi Arabia Nigeria: The Islamic University of Madinah
For Nigerian Muslim students, the Islamic University of Madinah is probably the most well-known Saudi scholarship route, and for good reason. The scholarship is a fully funded programme covering 100% of tuition fees for the entire duration of the programme. On top of that, students receive free accommodation, annual return flights, monthly allowances, healthcare, and book support.
Nigerian students can apply for the Islamic University of Madinah scholarship if they meet the general international student requirements, including strong academic qualifications, good conduct, medical fitness, and being between 17 and 25 years old for undergraduate programmes.
One thing to know before applying: applicants must have expertise in Arabic, as most programmes are taught in Arabic. Candidates may need to pass an Arabic proficiency test. However, the university does offer Arabic language preparatory courses for admitted students who need to strengthen their proficiency before beginning their main programme.
The university offers a wide range of programmes, Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, Sharia Law, Da’wah, Qur’anic Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and more.
Study in Saudi Arabia Free Scholarship: The Government Portal Route
If your interest is in STEM, business, health sciences, or humanities rather than Islamic studies specifically, the main government portal is your best bet. This programme connects applicants to a broad network of universities across Saudi Arabia, covering a wide range of academic disciplines, from engineering and health sciences to business, IT, and humanities.
Short-term visas are available for study or training lasting up to six months, including language and exchange programmes. Long-term visas cater to degree studies such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid passport. Additional requirements include proof of admission, financial capability, and for long-term stays, medical clearance and insurance.
The portal is open to male and female international students.
King Abdullah Scholarship Nigeria: What You Need to Know
The King Abdullah Scholarship Programme was one of the most expansive international scholarship initiatives Saudi Arabia ran for over a decade. While the original large-scale outbound programme (which funded Saudi students to study abroad) has wound down, scholarships bearing the King Abdullah name continue through individual universities and ministry programmes. Nigerian students frequently access these through King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, which runs a fully funded scheme covering monthly bursaries, accommodation, healthcare, and two-way airfare for international students at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels.
King Fahd University Scholarship: STEM Focus for Nigerian Graduates
The King Fahd University Scholarship 2026 covers all expenses including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel, visa, books, and subsidised meals in the university cafeteria for admitted candidates.
KFUPM is a specialist institution, it is among the top engineering and petroleum universities in the world. To be considered, applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering or science from a recognised institution, with a GPA of 3.00 or higher on a scale of 4.00 for scholarship students.
If you have a strong engineering or science background and are interested in energy, petroleum, or advanced manufacturing, this is one of the most targeted and valuable scholarship routes available to Nigerians.
What Courses Are Available Under Saudi Scholarships for Nigerians?
The short answer: a lot more than most people realise. Depending on which university you apply to, you can study:
Sciences and Engineering: Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Health Sciences: Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences
Islamic and Arabic Studies: Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Qur’anic Studies, Hadith, Da’wah, Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Finance
Business and Social Sciences: Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Finance, Management Information Systems, Social Work
Humanities: History, Geography, Education, Library and Information Science
For the government portal specifically, candidates can choose up to 25 courses and arrange them in order of preference. This flexibility makes the system genuinely useful compared to scholarship programmes that lock you into a single course choice.
Scholarship Comparison Table: Benefits Side by Side
| Benefit | Govt Portal | IU Madinah | KFUPM | King Abdulaziz University | KAUST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Tuition | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Monthly Stipend | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (up to $30K/yr) |
| Free Accommodation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Annual Return Flight | Partial | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Health Insurance | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (dental incl.) |
| Book/Research Allowance | Some | ✅ | ✅ | Varies | ✅ |
| Open to Women | ✅ | ❌ (male only) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Arabic Required | Depends on course | ✅ | ❌ (English) | Depends | ❌ (English) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can Nigerian students apply for Saudi scholarships?
Nigerian students apply primarily through the Study in Saudi Arabia portal at studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa, or directly through individual university portals such as the Islamic University of Madinah’s admission portal. Create an account, complete your academic profile, select up to 25 preferred courses in order of preference, upload required documents, and submit. For the Islamic University of Madinah specifically, applications can also go through the centralised Study in Saudi platform. Once submitted, monitor your application status through the portal.
What are the requirements for Saudi scholarship for Nigerian students?
General requirements across most programmes include: a valid international passport with at least 6 months validity, academic transcripts and certificates from secondary school or university, a medical fitness certificate confirming absence of infectious diseases, proof of financial capability or a financial guarantee, health insurance, and a birth certificate. Some universities add specific requirements, KFUPM requires a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0, the Islamic University of Madinah requires Arabic proficiency and accepts only male Muslim applicants aged 17 to 25 for undergraduate study, and KAUST requires a strong research background for its graduate programmes.
Is Saudi Arabia scholarship fully funded for Nigerians?
The Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship covers all costs associated with studies, living, transport, and health for selected candidates. Most of the major programmes, including the government portal scholarships, KFUPM, King Abdulaziz University, and the Islamic University of Madinah, are fully funded. Partial scholarships are also available for candidates who may not secure full funding, reducing tuition costs while still providing access to quality education in Saudi institutions.
What courses are available under Saudi scholarships for Nigerians?
Available courses span engineering, health sciences, computer science, Islamic studies, Arabic language, business administration, social sciences, and humanities. The government portal gives applicants access to programmes across 50+ universities. The Islamic University of Madinah focuses on Islamic and Arabic disciplines alongside science and IT. KFUPM is heavily focused on engineering, petroleum, and applied sciences. KAUST covers STEM at postgraduate level only.
What is the deadline for Saudi scholarship application in 2025/2026?
The Study in Saudi Arabia government portal for the 2026 intake is open from April 19 to May 21, 2026. The Islamic University of Madinah undergraduate deadline is June 14, 2026, with postgraduate applications accepted on a rolling basis. KFUPM’s 2026 cycle ran from January 4 to February 28, 2026, watch for their next announced window. Deadlines vary by institution, so it is important to check each university’s portal directly.
Do I need to know Arabic to study in Saudi Arabia on scholarship?
It depends on the institution and programme. For the Islamic University of Madinah, applicants must have expertise in Arabic, as most programmes are taught in Arabic. However, many other Saudi universities, including KFUPM and KAUST, teach their programmes entirely in English. The government portal includes both Arabic-medium and English-medium programmes. If you choose an Arabic-medium course and your proficiency is not yet at the required level, some universities offer a preparatory Arabic language year for admitted students.
How much is the monthly stipend for Saudi scholarship students?
The monthly stipend varies by institution and level of study. KAUST provides an annual living allowance of up to $30,000 for master’s and PhD students. The Islamic University of Madinah provides a monthly allowance alongside free accommodation and other benefits, though the specific amount is not publicly fixed and can vary by academic year. King Fahd University and King Abdulaziz University both include monthly living allowances as part of their fully funded packages. As a general benchmark, undergraduate stipends at Saudi universities typically range from SAR 850 to SAR 1,200 per month (roughly $225 to $320), while postgraduate students often receive higher amounts.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Apply
Saudi Arabia is not a typical study abroad destination in the way that Canada or the UK is, and it helps to go in with clear expectations. The academic environment is structured and rigorous. Campus life differs significantly from what Nigerian students may be used to, particularly in terms of gender segregation on most campuses and cultural practices around dress and public conduct.
That said, the financial package on offer is genuinely hard to match. Between tuition coverage, free accommodation, flights, and a monthly living allowance, students who secure these scholarships graduate debt-free with internationally recognised degrees and exposure to some of the best-resourced universities in the Middle East.
For Nigerian students serious about studying abroad without the financial barriers, Saudi Arabia deserves a much closer look than it typically gets.
Official Application Portal: studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa Islamic University of Madinah Portal: iu.edu.sa KFUPM Graduate Admissions: kfupm.edu.sa KAUST Admissions: admissions.kaust.edu.sa
