For Nigerian students looking at India, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) runs the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme through its A2A portal. It offers opportunities for applicants from African countries at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD levels in participating Indian institutions. Availability depends on the current country allocation, course and university decision.
Study levels and application route
The official A2A scheme listing describes undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral opportunities for students from African countries. Choose the correct scheme on the A2A scholarship portal, read its applicant guidance, and select courses and institutions allowed in the current cycle. Admission is considered by the university; the scholarship selection process also involves the Indian mission. A university offer alone does not guarantee an ICCR award.
What should you budget for?
ICCR’s scholarship policy guidance describes tuition payments to the institution and stipends or other eligible allowances for scholars. Air tickets and some other benefits depend on the applicable scheme and conditions. It also advises students to plan for immediate arrival expenses before payments begin. Read the exact financial terms for your scholarship instead of treating “government scholarship” as a promise that every travel, accommodation or personal cost will be paid.
Timing and documents
The confirmed 2026/27 India-Africa Maitri portal period opened on 27 February 2026 and closed for student submissions on 15 April 2026, as shown in an Indian High Commission notice. Those dates have passed. Do not use them as a 2027/28 deadline; watch the A2A portal and the Indian mission in your country for a new announcement.
- Prepare your academic records, identity documents and any course-specific evidence requested by the new call.
- Check that the institution and programme appear among the current portal choices and that you meet age, language and course rules stated for that cycle.
- Complete the portal application and monitor updates from the mission and universities. Keep copies of your submission and admission communications.
Nigerian applicants should use the current Nigeria-specific mission guidance when it appears; allocations and local procedures can differ from another African country’s notice.
Status checked 24 September 2026.