Application Window Opens for Prestigious Japanese Government Scholarships

The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria has officially announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 Japanese Government Scholarships under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) program.

According to the announcement, interested Nigerian students have until Friday, May 30, 2024, to submit their applications. The embassy emphasized that applications must be submitted in hard copy format, either through post office/courier service or in person at the Embassy of Japan, located at No. 9 Bobo Street, off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Available Scholarship Categories

The MEXT scholarship program offers various study opportunities across four main categories:

- Research Student program
- Undergraduate Student program
- College of Technology Student program
- Specialized Training College Student program

Each category has specific eligibility requirements and application guidelines, which applicants are strongly advised to review thoroughly before applying.

Important Application Guidelines

The embassy has outlined several critical instructions for applicants:

- Online or email submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances
- Applicants should not submit original personal documents as they will not be returned
- All photocopies of original documents must be officially notarized
- Copies of graduation or degree certificates are acceptable only if attested by an authorized official from the issuing institution
- Applications missing any required documents will be automatically disqualified from screening
- Only successful candidates will be contacted around mid-June

The embassy also cautioned that even if applicants are selected as scholarship recipients, the process could be postponed or travel to Japan might be restricted in the event of travel restrictions or curfews.

How to Apply

Prospective applicants are directed to visit the Study in Japan website for detailed information on each scholarship category. The embassy strongly recommends that all applicants thoroughly read the application guidelines available on the embassy's website before submitting their applications.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria via phone at 090060009019 or email at generalinfo@ela.mofa.go.jp. Additional information is also available on the embassy's official website at emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/edu.html.

The MEXT scholarship program represents a significant opportunity for Nigerian students seeking to further their education in Japan, offering fully-funded study programs across various academic disciplines.