Nigeria has maintained its status as the largest African beneficiary of the European Union’s Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme after 163 Nigerian students secured admission into master’s degree programmes across Europe in 2026, including 89 aaaaaaaarecipients of fully funded scholarships.

The achievement was announced by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, during the 2026 Erasmus Mundus Pre-Departure Orientation held in Abuja.

According to Mignot, Nigeria once again ranked first in Africa and placed among the world’s top five countries for Erasmus Mundus admissions, joining Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and the United States.

“This year we have about 163 Nigerian students admitted into these master’s programmes. This places Nigeria again, like in 2024, as the top country in Africa and among the top five globally, together with Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and the United States,” he said.

Of the 163 admitted students, 89 earned the highly competitive Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarships, representing an increase from the 81 Nigerians who received the award in 2025.

“We have 89 scholarship awardees this year, up from 81 in 2025,” Mignot said, adding that the programme is approaching the milestone of 1,000 Nigerian beneficiaries since the country began participating in 2014.

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme offers fully funded postgraduate scholarships lasting between 12 and 24 months. Students study at a minimum of two universities in two Erasmus+ participating countries before receiving a joint, double or multiple degree awarded by a consortium of leading European higher education institutions.

Mignot disclosed that the European Union is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Nigerian universities to further strengthen Nigeria’s performance in the programme.

“We want Nigeria to get higher in the world ranking, to begin with in the top three. We will work for that together with the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission and Nigerian universities, and I’m sure we’ll get there,” he said.

Describing Erasmus as one of the European Union’s flagship education programmes, the ambassador said it reflects the bloc’s commitment to expanding legitimate educational opportunities for young Nigerians through merit-based access to leading European universities.

“It demonstrates the readiness of the EU to offer regular migration opportunities for young Nigerians to travel and study in Europe, based on their merit, capacity and abilities. It is indeed the concrete commitment of the EU to creating opportunities for Nigerian youth,” he said.

He also encouraged the scholarship recipients to serve as ambassadors of Nigeria during their studies abroad and return with the expertise and international networks needed to support national development.

“You will be the ambassadors of Nigeria across Europe. And once you are back, we expect you to become true ambassadors of Europe in Nigeria,” he said.

Representing the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, the Director of the Directorate of Students, Dr. Chinelo Nwosu, praised the European Union for its continued investment in Nigeria’s human capital development.

She urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by acquiring world-class knowledge and returning home to contribute to Nigeria’s growth.

“Go to school, come back and continue to develop Nigeria,” she said. “Be good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever you are. Work hard, stay focused, keep out of trouble and remember where you are coming from.”

Also addressing the scholars, the Director of the Department of Scholarship Awards at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Khadijat Liman Ahmed, who represented the Permanent Secretary, described the orientation as the beginning of a life-changing academic journey.

She reminded the students that their conduct and academic performance overseas would influence how Nigeria is perceived internationally.

“Your conduct, character and academic performance will shape perceptions of Nigeria and inspire future generations of scholars. Be diligent in your studies, respectful of the different cultures you will encounter, and open to new ideas and perspectives,” she said.

Among the beneficiaries, Oluchi Yulis Myron, who will study cultural management, said the scholarship would provide valuable international academic exposure, cultural experiences and skills that could strengthen Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries.

“I wanted an opportunity not just to study abroad, but also to experience different cultures,” she said.