Japan Opens Applications for 2027 MEXT Scholarship for Nigerian Students

The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria has announced the opening of applications for the 2027 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Programme for Nigerian students.

The scholarship opportunity covers four categories including Research Students, Undergraduate Students, College of Technology (KOSEN) Students and Specialised Training College Students.

According to the embassy, the scholarship is part of the Japanese Government’s efforts to support international education and strengthen academic exchange between Japan and other countries, including Nigeria.

Interested applicants have been advised to carefully study the official scholarship guidelines before submitting their applications.

The embassy stated that applications are now open and the deadline for submission is Monday, 8 June 2026.

Categories Available Under the Scholarship

The 2027 MEXT Scholarship Programme is open under the following categories:

• Research Students
• Undergraduate Students
• College of Technology (KOSEN) Students
• Specialised Training College Students

The Embassy of Japan directed applicants to the official Study in Japan website for detailed application guidelines and eligibility requirements for each category.

The scholarship guides are available through the following links:

Research Students: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-research.html

Undergraduate Students: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-undergraduate.html

College of Technology (KOSEN) Students: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-technology.html

Specialised Training College Students: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-specialized.html

Age Requirements for Applicants

The embassy also released age eligibility requirements for the different scholarship categories.

Applicants for the Research category must be born on or after 2 April 1992.

Meanwhile, applicants for Undergraduate, College of Technology and Specialised Training College categories must be born on or after 2 April 2002.

Candidates who do not meet the age requirements may not be considered for the programme.

Submission Process

According to the embassy, all application documents must be submitted physically either in person or through postal delivery.

The embassy stressed that online or email submissions will not be accepted under any circumstance.

Applications are to be submitted to:

Embassy of Japan in Nigeria
(MEXT Selection Committee)
No. 9 Bobo Street, Off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja

Applicants are also expected to include the required checklist alongside their application documents.

The checklist can be downloaded through the embassy’s official website.

The embassy warned that incomplete applications will not be processed.

Important Instructions for Applicants

The Embassy of Japan issued several important instructions for candidates applying for the scholarship programme.

According to the notice, applicants must carefully follow all instructions contained in the application guidelines to avoid disqualification.

Candidates were advised to properly fill all sections of the application forms, as errors or missing information may make the application ineligible.

The embassy also instructed applicants to ensure that original academic transcripts are included in the application package.

However, photocopies of graduation certificates or degree certificates may be accepted if they are properly attested by an authorised university official.

Applicants were warned not to submit original certificates because submitted documents will not be returned.

The embassy further stated that incomplete submission of documents such as recommendation letters, transcripts, graduation certificates or medical certificate forms will automatically render an application ineligible.

Research Applicants Given Additional Warning

The embassy issued a special warning to applicants under the Research Students category.

According to the notice, candidates whose selected academic courses are not related to their research plans may not be accepted by Japanese universities under the programme.

The embassy explained that applicants must ensure their proposed area of study aligns with their research proposal before applying.

It also advised candidates to neatly arrange all application packages to avoid disqualification during screening.

Screening and Selection Process

The embassy noted that only successful candidates will be contacted during each stage of the screening process.

It added that there are additional screening criteria not fully stated in the public notice.

Applicants have therefore been advised to carefully prepare their submissions and strictly comply with all instructions.

The MEXT Scholarship is widely recognised as one of the major international scholarship programmes offered by the Japanese Government to foreign students seeking to study in Japan.

The programme provides opportunities for students to pursue higher education and specialised training in Japanese institutions while promoting international academic cooperation.

For many Nigerian students, the scholarship presents an opportunity to study in Japan with financial support while gaining international academic exposure and cultural experience.

The Embassy of Japan encouraged interested candidates to begin their application process early and ensure all required documents are properly arranged before submission.