We spoke to four Nigerian scholars who are studying for free and receiving monthly stipends while at it. They shared everything you need to know about getting a fully-funded scholarship across multiple countries. P.S., these scholarships are open till 2026. 

Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals

If you鈥檝e ever wondered what it’s like to study in Sweden without touching your own money, this is the scholarship you should have on your radar. According to Steve, a Nigerian who actually got it and is currently living his best tuition-free life, the is designed for people who are smart and killing it in their professional lives. 

This scholarship is for professionals who鈥檝e gathered real-world experience, led projects in a major or smaller capacity, and want to channel that energy into solving bigger problems back home. 

So how exactly did Steve get it? Two words: early preparation. He discovered the scholarship in 2019, and instead of rushing, he took his time to build the kind of professional profile that shows he鈥檚 been working, learning, and influencing change in his own corner of the world.

Here鈥檚 how he got the scholarship:

First, he applied for a master鈥檚 programme in Sweden. It鈥檚 important to note that this is the entry point for this scholarship. SI won鈥檛 consider candidates who haven鈥檛 applied to the Swedish university portal. The admission window is open till January. After that, he waited for the scholarship window to open (usually in February), picked , and ensured it aligned with his communication and marketing background.

Then, he moved on to the documentation phase. SI loves receipts. They want to see the hours you鈥檝e worked, the roles you鈥檝e held, the projects you鈥檝e led, and the proof of your leadership. Steve documented everything from work hours, reference letters, leadership roles and double-checked all the tiny details that can ruin an application (like inconsistent name spelling).

But the wow effect was in his story. SI wants people who鈥檒l return home and make an impact, and Steve showed exactly how his field, which is strategic communication, connects to the UN鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals. Applications are expected to open in February 2026, but the university admission process began in October. 

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship聽

Erasmus Mundus isn鈥檛 a one-country, one-school deal. It鈥檚 a fully funded master鈥檚 scholarship backed by the European Union, designed to enable you to study in multiple countries. For Ridwan, that meant studying in four schools in three different countries.

So who exactly is this for? People who can adjust to new classrooms, languages, and cities every few months. If you鈥檙e flexible, curious, and open to change, Erasmus is perfect for you.

Ridwan鈥檚 journey started with persistence. He tried for years before finally getting the email that changed everything. The trick, according to him, is to stop treating Erasmus like one school and start treating it like a network of programmes. Each programme has its own theme, from climate change to data, to public policy, to engineering, and each one sits inside the.

Ridwan says some of the eligible courses have names that sound nothing like what they actually teach. To figure out the perfect course for him, he looked through the catalogue, opened each link, read through the curriculum, and picked the one that matched his goals. That programme eventually took him through four universities in three different countries.

For the application process, Ridwan made sure his motivation letter was honest and personal, his CV followed the recommended Europass format, and his experience, including volunteering, aligned with the programme鈥檚 mission. He double-checked deadlines, file formats, and tiny details because Erasmus panels take those things seriously. 

Most of the eligible courses for this scholarship are open till January 2026, so today鈥檚 a great day to start your application. 

Stephen Young Global Leaders鈥� Scholarship

The (SYGL) is a fully-funded scholarship for Nigerian professionals with MBA dreams. According to Adekanmi, this scholarship is seeking individuals with ambition, leadership, and a selfless cause.

Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, UK, offers SYGL. If you鈥檙e selected, your tuition and living expenses will be covered. It also covers leadership training, mentorship through the Stephen Young Institute, and a network of like-minded global changemakers.

Who鈥檚 this scholarship for?

• Professionals who are ready for a full-time MBA.聽
• People with strong academic credentials and a clear record of achievement.
• Those without other major sponsors or scholarships.聽
• Future leaders who think big, care about social impact, and want to use their MBA to create meaningful change.

Adekanmi recommends starting your application with intention. He first got accepted into the Strathclyde MBA because admission is necessary to access the scholarship application. Then he applied for SYGL with essays and statements that told his authentic story, showed his academic merit, and highlighted his vision for impact. He avoided generic, copy-paste statements and prepared thoroughly for the interview.

Applications for SYGL will typically begin in 2026, but we recommend that you start preparing for it today. 

Think Big Scholarship聽

is a partial (and sometimes full) scholarship at the University of Bristol in the UK. According to Ruth, it鈥檚 perfect for people who want to advance their education and contribute to social development. 

Ruth got the scholarship in 2022 as a teacher and advocate for inclusive education. She believes that her community advocacy record, passion for education access, and a clear articulation of what she wanted to achieve earned her the scholarship. 

Here鈥檚 what worked for Ruth. 

• Having a real track record of advocacy, volunteering, and community work.聽
• Building a strong, honest application. For Think Big, she wrote three essays on why she wanted the scholarship, what she鈥檇 already done to prove herself, and what she鈥檇 do as a 鈥淏ristol ambassador.鈥澛�
• Making sure your experience shines more than just academic grades. Ruth said there are people with weak GPAs who still got scholarships because their stories were solid.
• Being intentional about how you connect your past, your passion, and your goals.聽

This scholarship is already open, but the deadline isn鈥檛 till April 2026. We recommend starting your application early to give yourself enough time to complete something you can be confident in before submission. 

For many Nigerians, the idea that  鈥渁bortion is healthcare鈥� has always clashed with strong religious and moral beliefs, often leaving vulnerable women without real autonomy over their bodies. That risk might get even worse soon. On October 26, the Nigerian Senate started considering that proposes a 10-year jail term for abortion-related offences.

So, what exactly is this controversial bill about?

The Senate started its debate with promises of 鈥渦pdating鈥� Nigeria鈥檚 Criminal Code, but somehow, in the process, abortion rights got lost in translation. 

At first glance, the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2025 looks promising. It aims to increase penalties for sexual offences like defilement and assault 鈥� a move that signals progress. But the proposed amendment to the present abortion laws in the bill quickly derailed the initially progressive nature of the debate. 

The present laws guiding abortion practices in the country state that if someone supplies drugs or instruments for abortion, they will be sentenced to up to three years in prison. However, the amendment proposes a stricter and much brutal sentence by pushing for an increment to ten years imprisonment without the option of a fine.

But the 鈥渘o nonsense鈥� approach of this amendment was not the only part that stirred up controversy and further debates; its vagueness also left room for questions, forcing some lawmakers to push for clarity on how the bill intends to define an 鈥渦nlawful abortion.鈥� If the bill gets passed without further modifications, even a medically necessary abortion could be punished. It offered no clarity, no safety net, just fear and controlled autonomy. 

The lawmakers, who would often echo ayes at the end of similar debates, were split. Some argued abortion could save a woman鈥檚 life. Others said women often face unbearable circumstances, including economic hardship, rape, or health crises, which might necessitate terminating a pregnancy. 

The chamber was in such a frenzy that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had to call a pause, though this is far from a full halt on the bill, as it has now been sent to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further review. In two weeks, the committee will report back, and the abortion clause could either be reshaped or deleted. Until then, Nigerian women are left waiting in uncertainty. 

Why is this bad news for women?

Nigeria already has some of the strictest abortion laws in the world. For context, abortion is only allowed when a woman鈥檚 life is at risk. There鈥檚 no legal protection for survivors of rape, incest, or women who simply want to have a choice over their reproductive lives. This is why hundreds of thousands of unsafe abortions happen every year, contributing up t.

Women end up at quack clinics, take unsafe pills, risk infections, infertility, or death.

The amendment does nothing to fix the root causes, like the limited access to contraception, poor healthcare infrastructure, social stigma, and lack of sex education. Instead, it threatens to pile more punishment on women. Now, doctors might hesitate to provide life-saving care because they fear the possibility of a ten-year jail term, simply for aiding a patient. If this bill is successful, fear becomes the law, and in a country where unsafe abortions contribute to up to 15% of maternal deaths, this is more than just bad policy; it鈥檚 deadly.

It鈥檚 even more unfortunate that when the Senate had the chance to get a woman鈥檚 input from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who pointed out that abortion directly affects women, she was shut down because Senate rules prevent reopening concluded debates. 

What can Nigerians do?

This is where your action matters. There are concrete steps you can take to make your voice heard:

1. Pressure your representatives. Flood their lines, emails, and social media with calls to protect women鈥檚 rights. Lawmakers listen when the people push. Find their contact details .
2. Spread awareness. Talk about the bill with friends, share credible information online, and correct false narratives. Public scrutiny can stop lawmakers from passing harmful laws quietly.
3. Support advocacy groups. Organisations fighting for sexual and reproductive health rights need volunteers, donations, and public attention. Stand with them.
4. Demand legal clarity. Push for definitions that protect women and healthcare providers, not laws that punish them vaguely.
5. Stay focused on the Senate committee. The next two weeks are critical. The louder Nigerians get, the harder it becomes for lawmakers to ignore.
   

At the end of the day, this isn鈥檛 just another bill. It鈥檚 a reminder that whenever Nigeria tries to move forward, there鈥檚 someone ready to drag women鈥檚 rights five steps back, and that cycle needs to be broken. 

Ifeoma* ( 25) has always wanted to pursue a master鈥檚 degree abroad, so when she found out she could study her course of choice for less than 鈧�6 million in Poland, she wasted no time in applying. In this story, she shares how she moved, how much it cost her, and how it feels to live in Poland.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I live in Poland. I left Nigeria in September 2025

That鈥檚 amazing, congratulations!

Thank you.

Before you left, what was your life like in Nigeria? 

Honestly, I wouldn鈥檛 say I had a lot of Nigerian experience after school because I graduated in October 2022. I waited to be called for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), went to camp around April 2023, and got a job after camp. It was a short period before moving on to my master鈥檚. So I didn鈥檛 really have a 鈥淟agos life鈥� or the full hustle experience because I was transitioning from school to a master鈥檚 program.

Got it. So what inspired your decision to leave Nigeria?

After school, I worked in finance. My office was close to my dad鈥檚, so he would drop me off and pick me up. The work was interesting. I learned a lot about global stocks and trades, which was different from my degree in estate management. But the main reason I wanted to leave was always related to my plan to do a master鈥檚 abroad.

That makes sense. So why Poland? That seems like a unique choice.

Honestly, Poland wasn鈥檛 in my plan at first. My parents prayed, and somehow my mom and brother stumbled upon the opportunity to study there. We found some YouTube videos, and Poland seemed perfect.

I wanted a program focused on Public Relations, advertising, and branding, and Poland offered a Communication Management master鈥檚 that fit exactly what I wanted.

So how did you actually end up in Poland? Was it through a scholarship or self-funding?

I came here for my master鈥檚. It wasn鈥檛 a scholarship; my parents helped me pay the school fees.

For Nigerians curious about coming to Poland, can you walk us through the step-by-step process?

The process started in October last year after graduation. I needed to get an English proficiency statement sent directly to the university. Then I had to authorise my BSc certificate, official transcript, and NYSC certificate with the Federal Ministry of Education. Since I couldn鈥檛 collect my transcripts directly, they were sent to Abuja for authorisation. After that, the Polish embassy legalised these documents.

I applied to my school in March this year, wrote a statement of purpose, and got admission within two weeks. Then I started my visa process, which required a trip to Abuja because there鈥檚 no Polish embassy in Lagos. My visa was approved in June, and I left Nigeria in September.

I would emphasise that anyone going abroad should follow the visa process strictly and avoid shortcuts or mistakes.

Can you share tips on finding the right school and writing a statement of purpose?

For me, choosing a school was based on three things: the course combination, the tuition, living costs, and safety. Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe. 

For the statement of purpose, I explained who I am, why I鈥檓 interested in the course, what I鈥檝e done so far, and how the master’s program will help me achieve my future goals. 

Can you give a cost breakdown of what it took for you to study in Poland?

Roughly, flights cost around 鈧�1.4 million with extra luggage fees of about 鈧�325,000. My school fees were around 鈧�3,650鈥�3,750. Sending transcripts to Abuja via DHL costs about 鈧�50,000. Other costs, like food, vary depending on lifestyle.

How would you describe the quality of education there?

It鈥檚 very good. Classes are interactive, professors encourage discussions, and everyone learns from each other. No one is 鈥渨rong鈥� for having a different opinion. There are also extracurricular activities like sports. I鈥檝e had no issues with locals, and people have been very helpful.

How has it been adjusting to a new country?

Honestly, from the airport, I was crying. Leaving my parents was hard. The cold was also a big shock; it鈥檚 very different from Nigeria. But the city is well-organised, and after adjusting to the cold, other things became manageable.

Have you experienced any other cultural shock?

People here don鈥檛 do small talk. Everyone minds their business, which is different from Nigeria, where casual greetings are common. In Poland, everyone just goes about their day.

Would you recommend Poland to other Nigerians?

Yes, but experiences may vary. For me, it鈥檚 a really nice place.

Do you see yourself staying there long-term as a Nigerian?

Yes, as a student, there are opportunities through career services. My goal is to share so others know what to expect.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Poland?

Right now, about seven or eight. I miss my parents a lot, so that affects my happiness a little, but overall, I鈥檓 adjusting.

 Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me .

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I鈥檓 currently in Moscow. I left Nigeria in September 2022.

So how exactly did you leave?

I had my bachelor鈥檚 degree in Nigeria. COVID happened after I graduated. It gave me time to reflect, and I decided that I wasn鈥檛 going to do my master鈥檚 in Nigeria. Before then, my friends and I were always searching for scholarships.

I remember applying for the Chevening scholarship twice, the Erasmus scholarship, and a few others. I did my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)  in Imo State, and one of my friends told me about a friend who got a Russian scholarship called Open Doors. He said we should try it, and I agreed. 

At the time, there was no talk of war or anything like that, so we just applied. I think we applied in December 2020, and that was how it started.

Was it a fully funded scholarship?

The Open Doors scholarship is a scholarship of the Russian government that covers tuition and a monthly stipend. Every other thing, including your travel and personal expenses, is on you.

It鈥檚 open to applicants from most countries, as long as your country鈥檚 government has a good relationship with Russia.

Is the scholarship still available now?

Yes, it鈥檚 still running. In fact, the current application window closes in about five days.

Oh, interesting. Can you share more about the process? How did you apply, and how can others do the same?

Sure. When I applied, the process opened in October and closed in December. It has about three or four phases, depending on your study level. Since I came in for my master鈥檚, I went through just two phases.

The first stage runs from October to December. At that time, the process was different from now. Back then, you just submitted your portfolio to sell yourself to the selection team. You鈥檇 upload your CV, certificates, and any other documents you had.

Then, they would shortlist candidates for the second stage. That stage involves writing an exam and doing an interview. The exam itself is in two parts: one supervised live (similar to a proctored session) and another done remotely while the candidates鈥� screen activity is monitored.

After that, they release a list of successful candidates on their website. If your name is there, that鈥檚 when your chosen university starts reaching out to you.

During the application, you can select up to six universities in order of preference. Usually, the first school that contacts you is the one that admits you.

In my case, I wanted to study in Moscow, but my background wasn鈥檛 considered directly related to the master鈥檚 program I applied for. 

I had to think fast because there was a short window to make changes. It was like the NYSC situation, where everyone wants Lagos or Abuja, but you end up choosing another location because time is running out. So, I picked the last university on my list.

I reached out to them via email, and the response time amazed me. Unlike in Nigeria, they replied almost immediately. They told me what to send, and I did.

After that, the school asked for additional documents like proof of degree (BSc), medical reports showing I鈥檓 free from HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, and my international passport. All documents must be translated into Russian because that鈥檚 the official language here.

After this, you鈥檒l be given a two-week deadline to return everything. The entire process typically takes about a year. For example, if you apply in September, you鈥檒l resume by the following September.

When I applied three years ago, the process was smoother, but lately, it has become more competitive, similar to the Erasmus process. Some people who got the scholarship last year still haven鈥檛 resumed.

Would you still recommend that people apply?

That鈥檚 tricky. When I came, the flight fare was around 鈧�280,000. Now, it鈥檚 about 鈧�1.5 million, and that鈥檚 if you buy early. I wouldn鈥檛 ask people not to come, but I鈥檇 advise people to plan carefully before coming.

Before I left, I  worked at a bank for about nine months. Looking back, I wish I had worked longer or deferred my admission by a year to save more. Because coming here can be mentally, financially, and emotionally exhausting.

Truth is, about 90% of Nigerians here don鈥檛 plan to stay permanently. Most of us just use it as a stepping stone to move somewhere else. The downside is that the Russian currency isn鈥檛 strong. Unlike Canada or the UK where you can work a few days and send money home, here you have to work multiple shifts just to make ends meet.

Also, because of the war and sanctions, most Western embassies have closed, so you can鈥檛 easily move from here to another country. People now go back to Nigeria to reapply for visas. But I鈥檓 trying to bring my siblings here. 

Would you say life in Russia is better than in Nigeria?

Honestly, yes. When I left Nigeria, things weren鈥檛 even that bad yet. I just felt stuck and depressed. Work in Lagos was draining, and I needed a change.

When I came to Russia, it wasn鈥檛 easy. The war had just started that January, and people were panicking. I even stopped telling people I was in Russia because anytime I said it, they鈥檇 start scaring me and asking if the military had bombed my area.

I didn鈥檛 even tell my dad I was moving to Russia until I was about to travel to Abuja for my visa. I just called to say, 鈥淒addy, I鈥檓 going.鈥� I didn鈥檛 ask for permission. I鈥檝e always been strong-willed like that. 

People at work asked, 鈥淲hy Russia?鈥� and I didn鈥檛 even bother explaining. 

Despite everything, Russia is still strong. They continue to fund education for international students from master鈥檚 to PhD, and have even added bachelor鈥檚 programs recently. 

I was schooled in Siberia, which is one of the coldest places in the world, but I have no regrets.

So what was it like adjusting to life in Russia, especially living in such a cold place?

Honestly, the first few weeks were tough. Before coming, I bought jackets at  Yaba market, but those ones can鈥檛 stand the Russian cold. They鈥檙e only good for mild weather like autumn.

When I arrived, I had to start from scratch, new clothes, shoes, coats, everything. I even came with a bad phone. There were no jobs for the first few months, and I came during winter, which made it worse.

Winter here is brutal. It gets dark by 4 p.m., sometimes 3 p.m. And since I didn鈥檛 speak Russian then, it felt like being on another planet. You can鈥檛 even ask for help properly because of the language barrier.

When I arrived, I didn鈥檛 have any real friends here, just 鈥渁 friend of a friend of a friend.鈥� That lack of community made things harder.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Russia? 

I鈥檇 say seven. Russia has given me so many opportunities.

On Monday, November 3, the Presidential Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms Committee released that will take effect from January 1, 2026. While that鈥檚 definitely good news, it鈥檚 still hard to tell where the president truly stands on taxing Nigerians, especially because his administration has also recently rolled out new taxes that could make the cost of living so much worse in the coming year.

Here are four taxes you might want to watch out for in 2026:聽

15% import tariff on fuel and diesel 

On Wednesday, October 29, President Tinubu woke up and got the genius idea to approve a 15% import tariff on petroleum products. As a result of this approval, Nigerians will start paying as much as 鈧�100 extra per litre of petrol. Diesel was also included in the recent development, but there鈥檚 a possibility that the price increase will exceed 鈧�100.

According to a document seen by THISDAY, the new tariff will take effect immediately despite an earlier plan for a 30-day transition period to allow importers to adjust. The President reportedly decided that it was best for the tariff to take effect immediately. Even though the government set the projected increment at  鈧�99.72 per litre, it鈥檚 safer to expect the worst, as we all watched petrol prices go from 鈧�600 to nearly 鈧�1,000 in less than a year.

The federal government and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have branded this price increment as , but is it really a win if it comes at the expense of Nigerians who are already struggling to survive the harsh effects of the President鈥檚 reforms? 

Between August 2024 and the first 10 days of October 2025, the country nearly 69% of its total national petrol supply. This gives you an idea of how many Nigerians will feel the effect of this price increase. While we agree that the tariff will give more room for local manufacturers to dominate the market, we鈥檙e highly concerned about the bandwidth of the manufacturers in question. The Dangote Refinery has the capacity to meet Nigeria鈥檚 domestic demand, which is about 50 million litres daily, yet the refinery currently supplies o, according to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The five other functional refineries produce between 5,000 and 10,000 barrels per day. If you do the math, you鈥檇 realise that there鈥檚 still going to be a demand for imported fuel if these local refineries continue to function at their present capacity, leaving vulnerable Nigerians no choice but to purchase petroleum products for a higher price 鈥� and that has already been estimated to add an extra 鈧� to what we spend on fuel annually. 

$11.50 travel charge

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday, October 28, that passengers flying into and out of the country will now have to pay an additional $11.50 charge per ticket, in addition to the $20 security charge and other charges collected by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This tax, which seems almost little on paper, is already expected to generate up to $1 billion in federal revenue over the next two decades. Industry experts and passengers have this move, raising concerns that the new levy will make flight tickets even more expensive, especially given that prices are already high due to inflation and unstable exchange rates. But from what we know, the criticisms haven鈥檛 moved President Tinubu, and this new charge is expected to take effect on December 1, 2025. Good luck to everyone whose New Year鈥檚 resolution is to catch flights, not feelings.

25% maximum tax for remote workers 

Dollar-earning remote workers in Nigeria have been God鈥檚 favourites for the longest time, but they might be getting reassigned to the strongest soldiers list in 2026. As part of the signed by President Tinubu in June 2025, remote workers and freelancers will now have to pay income tax just like regular employees.

Their salaries will be taxed up to 25%. That鈥檚 still lower than what people pay in countries like South Africa (45%), Kenya (35%), Egypt (27.5%), and Algeria (35%). The good news is that if your income was already taxed in the country where your company is based, you鈥檒l get some relief under the new law. 

For Nigerian remote workers earning below $538 annually, the taxes will not be applied. Here鈥檚 how the new tax rates will work: Nigerians who earn about $1,478 a year will pay 15% in tax. Those earning around $6,047 a year will pay 18%, while people making up to $33,596 a year will be taxed at the highest rate of 25%.

Like the other tax reforms in the newly approved tax laws, this will take effect in January 2026. 

25% maximum taxes on crypto transactions

Crypto bros have also caught some painful strays from the soon-to-be-implemented tax laws. Come January 2026, cryptocurrency exchange companies registered in the country will have to report all user transactions or face heavy punishments, including losing their licenses.

Under the new tax law, profits made from trading or selling digital assets like crypto will now be treated as taxable income that is subject to . This replaces the old 10% capital gains tax introduced in 2022. 

Crypto companies, known as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), will also have to pay a 30% corporate income tax on profits they make from their services, such as transaction fees. To make sure these taxes are paid, the law requires the companies to submit full transaction reports to the government. These reports must include details like the type and value of each transaction, the date and description, whether any crypto was sold, and the personal details of everyone involved.

Any company that refuses to follow these rules will pay a fine of 鈧�10 million for the first month and 鈧�1 million for every extra month they delay. They could also have their licenses suspended or permanently revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

As bad as this sounds, it鈥檚 still much better than Kenya鈥檚 former Digital Asset Tax (DAT), which charged 3% on every crypto sale regardless of profit or loss. 

What Can You Do About This?

You don鈥檛 have to sit and watch as these taxes make life harder. Nigerians can and should contest policies that don鈥檛 make sense, like the 15% fuel import tariff. You can use your social media accounts to demand that the president implement the promised 30-day transition period and reduce the tariff to ease the pressure on citizens.

You can also demand transparency from the government. Taxes are supposed to fund public services, not disappear into thin air. Ask where the money is going 鈥� is it fixing hospitals, improving transport, or just entering the same old corrupt pockets? You can also take things a step further by partnering with Civil society groups like and other Nigerians to push for clearer tax communication and public reporting on spending.

Adekanmi had been chasing a fully-funded scholarship since 2023, but it didn鈥檛 happen until 2025. In this story, he shares everything you need to know about the Stephen Young Global Leadership Scholarship and why it stands out from most others.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in Glasgow, Scotland, and I left Nigeria on September 15, 2025.

Congratulations! How exactly did you relocate?

I left through a scholarship. It鈥檚 called the . It鈥檚 a fully funded scholarship that doesn鈥檛 just focus on academic excellence like most others. This one looks at students who have also made a social impact in their community. They want to know not just what you鈥檝e done, what drives your work and what impact it鈥檚 had beyond profit.

So, that鈥檚 what the scholarship is all about. They provide enough stipends that will cover your living expenses and almost everything else. 

Can you tell me more about it? I know you鈥檝e touched on the basics, but can you go a bit deeper?

Sure. Like I said, it鈥檚 called the Stephen Young Global Leaders Scholarship. They usually select only five students every year. It鈥檚 very competitive.

Academic excellence matters to the reviewers, but they also look at achievements outside academics. I had a distinction in my Bachelor of Pharmacy, which helped, but they also considered my other accomplishments.

Another thing to note is that this scholarship is strictly for MBA students, unlike others that cover different courses. So before applying, you must already have some years of work and leadership experience.

You first apply to the for admission into the MBA programme. Once you get in, you can then apply for the Stephen Young Global Leadership Scholarship. If shortlisted, you鈥檒l be invited for an interview, and then they鈥檒l notify you of the outcome.

When you say five people, do you mean five from all over the world or five from Nigeria?

 Five from all over the world.

Wow, that鈥檚 insanely competitive. 

 Yes. Only two people from Nigeria received the award this year. 

Crazy! What was your life like in Nigeria before receiving this scholarship?

Back in Nigeria, I worked as a clinical pharmacist after earning my Bachelor of Pharmacy, gaining experience in both community and hospital settings. I later became a Superintendent Pharmacist, overseeing operations and managing regulatory compliance. 

Over time, however, I realised I didn鈥檛 want to remain in the traditional clinical space 鈥� I wanted to understand how businesses, especially startups, grow and scale.

So I founded DigitalMedHub, a small hub where I helped healthcare startups craft business plans, go-to-market strategies, and investor pitch decks 鈥� all driven by a desire to help innovative businesses succeed.

So, in summary, I was both a pharmacist and an entrepreneur in Nigeria.

Interesting. So what inspired you to want to study in the UK?

 To be honest, I didn鈥檛 only apply to UK universities. I鈥檝e been at it since around 2023. One thing I鈥檝e learned is that clarity attracts opportunity. I always knew I wanted an MBA 鈥� not a PhD or MSc 鈥� because I didn鈥檛 want to remain just a traditional pharmacist. I wanted to work at the intersection of healthcare, entrepreneurship, and business.

To do that, I needed a business foundation. I already had the clinical knowledge, but I needed to understand how businesses and leadership work. People say your network is your networth, and that鈥檚 true. I wanted to build a global network and sharpen my leadership mindset. That鈥檚 why I chose an MBA.

You mentioned you鈥檝e been trying since 2023. What happened? Were you getting rejections?

Yes, I started immediately after my NYSC. I already knew what I wanted; that鈥檚 why I said clarity attracts opportunity. I wasn鈥檛 chasing 鈥渏apa鈥� for the sake of it. For me, it was purpose-driven. Instead of looking for jobs after NYSC, I started preparing for scholarships. At first, I thought about writing the Canadian pharmacy exams, but when I saw the cost, I decided to focus on the MBA path.

I did a lot of research, studied for months, watched YouTube tutorials, and practised daily to prepare for the GRE.

Then I started applying to schools in the U.S. because funding for an MBA was more accessible there before the Trump era. I got some partial scholarships and rejections, but nothing fully funded. I told myself, 鈥淚f it鈥檚 not fully funded, it鈥檚 not what God promised me.鈥�

I paused applications for a while. Then, early this year, someone sent me the link for the Stephen Young Global Leadership Scholarship on WhatsApp. Honestly, I didn鈥檛 think much of it at first because most UK scholarships aren鈥檛 fully funded, especially for an MBA. But I still applied anyway, in faith and with an open mind.

I tailored my essays to match their focus on social impact. After some weeks, they sent me an email saying I was among the top 20 candidates. I wasn鈥檛 happy because I wanted top five. I actually DELETED the email.

LMAO. That鈥檚 crazy

They offered me a partial scholarship, but I refused. I told God, 鈥淵ou promised me fully funded.鈥� A week later, on a Saturday, surprisingly, I got another email saying I鈥檇 been shortlisted for an interview.

I prepared seriously. But on the day of the interview, everything went wrong. My network kept disconnecting; it even logged me out of Google Meet at least five times. They eventually messaged me saying they had to move on to the next candidate. My heart sank.

I immediately sent an apology email explaining it was a technical glitch. They said not to worry. The following Monday, I opened my email in the evening and there it was: 鈥淐ongratulations.鈥� I had been awarded a fully funded scholarship. I couldn鈥檛 believe it.

 That鈥檚 an amazing story. Congratulations again. For people who might want to apply, can you walk me through the process?

 Sure. First, know that it鈥檚 only for the MBA. Don鈥檛 just apply because it鈥檚 a scholarship. Ask yourself, 鈥淎m I eligible?鈥� You must have at least two to three years of work experience, preferably in a leadership or management role. It鈥檚 not for fresh graduates.

You also need a good academic background, though the review process is holistic. They don鈥檛 focus only on GPA; they evaluate your essays, your video interview, and your professional achievements.

Once you鈥檝e been admitted to the MBA programme at the University of Strathclyde, you can apply for the scholarship separately.

Most importantly, tailor your application to their core values like social impact, leadership, and community contribution. They鈥檙e not just looking for high grades but for people who鈥檝e made a meaningful impact in their environment.

 Do you know when the scholarship usually opens?

Intending applicants need to do their research to confirm this, but I applied around April this year. It opens once a year, so the next round should be next year.

What do you think made you stand out?

 Honestly, I don鈥檛 think you have to be perfect. I鈥檒l be sincere, God qualified me for this.

But practically speaking, I took time to understand what they wanted. I studied their values, their mission, and ensured that my essays reflected those things. Apart from having distinction in Pharmacy, I aligned my story with their goals, showing leadership, social impact, and authenticity.

That鈥檚 what I believe made me stand out.

So now that it鈥檚 been a couple of months, what鈥檚 it been like for you studying in the UK?

It鈥檚 actually been interesting. I don鈥檛 want to compare it to Nigeria, but it鈥檚 been an amazing experience. Oh, and I need to mention something unique about this scholarship; they provide at least two mentors for you. And the kind of mentors they assign are people you鈥檇 typically never have access to in your lifetime.

I鈥檝e already met mine, and they鈥檝e really shaped my thinking and broadened my perspective. That鈥檚 one of the most beautiful parts of the programme.

Generally, studying in the UK has been impressive. The standard of education here is unbeatable. The only challenge so far has been adjusting to the cold. We鈥檙e in winter now, and it鈥檚 been quite an experience. Apart from that, everything has been great.

Do you have any plans of ever returning to Nigeria?

I believe in God鈥檚 leading. But to be honest, I really want to stay here, at least for now. I鈥檓 married, and my wife is still in Nigeria, but  I believe she鈥檒l be able to join me soon.

This scholarship doesn鈥檛 require you to go back to your home country, unlike some other scholarships, like Erasmus, where you鈥檙e required to return after your studies. For now, I can鈥檛 say for sure what the future holds, but I鈥檇 like to gain international experience first. 

Is there a reason why you weren鈥檛 able to move with your wife? I know most scholarships come with the opportunity to bring dependents.

Yes, that鈥檚 true, but recently, the policy changed. Before now, students could bring dependents, but in July last year, they updated the rule. Now, only those on research-based master鈥檚 programmes or PhD programmes can bring dependents. If you鈥檙e on a taught master鈥檚 like me, you can鈥檛 bring dependents until you start working and get a sponsorship.

Of course, your spouse can still visit as a tourist, but not stay long-term until you either secure a sponsored job or move into a PhD or research programme. That鈥檚 been the main challenge for us.

I can imagine. On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you right now?

I can鈥檛 even begin to describe it. Honestly, I鈥檓 extremely happy, so maybe 11. 

 Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me . 

In July 2024, showed market women in Edo State protesting against Ojo-Tinubu, accusing her of trying to impose a market leader on them. By September 2025, the acclaimed Iyaloja-General had Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as the Iyaloja of Edo State, a 鈥淢other of the Market鈥� title that is unique to only Yoruba people and acknowledged in the South-western part of Nigeria. With this controversial move, she sealed her place on the front pages of newspapers and social media trend tables. 

What makes this move so controversial? 

For starters, the title 鈥淚yaloja of Edo State鈥� doesn鈥檛 exist in Benin鈥檚 cultural dictionary. It is an unfamiliar role within Benin鈥檚 tradition that was assigned in a way that makes one question the intention and authority of Ojo-Tinubu.

Edo market women also that there are political undertones that contributed to the enforcement of this title. 

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has already clarified that there鈥檚 no such thing as a 鈥渉ead of market women鈥� in Benin, as each market has its own Iye鈥檏i, who performs spiritual and cultural duties on behalf of the palace.

Blacky Ogiamien, the former head of market women in Edo, also had her and corruption allegations. Local indicate that she was openly loyal to the state鈥檚 former Governor, Godwin Obaseki. Traders in the state also accused her of mixing politics with tradition. So when Ojo-Tinubu later installed Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as the 鈥淚yaloja of Edo State,鈥� it looked less like a leadership appointment and more like a political attempt to recreate an All Progressives People (APC) version of what traders say Ogiamien was.

The Edo State Market Women Association has officially a statement signed by several leaders, describing Ojo-Tinubu鈥檚 move as an 鈥渋njustice鈥� and a 鈥減olitically influenced imposition鈥� by the Lagos Iyaloja. 

Pastor Ibhaguezejele, on the other hand, dismissed these claims and insisted that 151 of the 152 market leaders attended her inauguration, a clear and undeniable display of support. 

Her father鈥檚 daughter 

Friends and foes describe Nigeria鈥檚 President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a kingmaker 鈥� the kind that men pander to when political offices are concerned. Ojo-Tinubu seems to have borrowed a few tips from her father鈥檚 book of authority. The First daughter reportedly bypassed existing traditional procedures by organising the installation ceremony even before getting the Oba of Benin鈥檚 consent鈥攁 move many saw as a breach of respect. Even though Governor Monday Okpebholo鈥檚 representative praised the event as a step toward empowering women, the cultural tension was hard to ignore.

When Ojo-Tinubu eventually met with the Oba, he said, 鈥淚yaloja is alien to us in Benin. Every market has its Iye鈥檏i, who performs cultural roles for the palace. The concept of a 鈥榞eneral Iye鈥檏i鈥� is foreign to our custom.鈥� We鈥檙e not sure that there is a clearer way for a royal figure to say, 鈥淚 do not consent to this.鈥�

Cultural groups like the and prominent voices like former Senator Ehigie Uzamere (Edo South Senatorial District) also supported the monarch鈥檚 stance, calling the installation 鈥渁 distortion of Benin heritage.鈥� 

What is the Iyaloja-General title, and how did Ojo-Tinubu earn it? 

You can search the Yoruba culture encyclopedia from now till the apocalypse hits, and you鈥檒l never find a role called Iyaloja-General. You鈥檒l find Iyalojas, but never an Iyaloja-General. The Tinubus, never ones to pass on a good title, have a way of pioneering interesting changes. 

On one random afternoon in 2023, Ojo-Tinubu declared herself the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria by updating her bio on Twitter (now known as X). By loose definition, this would make her the president of all market men and women across the country. 

Shortly after her father鈥檚 inauguration, she edited her profile to read: 鈥淭his is the Official Handle of The Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, The First Daughter of the FRN.鈥�  There was no official election, no traditional council meeting. Just vibes and a Twitter bio update.

Her original title is the Iyaloja of Lagos, which she reportedly inherited in 2013 from her late grandmother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, who was the President-General of Lagos Market Men and Women. Mogaji was said to have appointed her granddaughter as successor before her death, a move believed to be i. 

When the Iyaloja title suddenly evolved into a national one, Nigerians started asking questions. Who approved it? Does the constitution recognise it? And more importantly, when did Nigeria become a monarchy of market titles? Those questions remain unaddressed till today, but the most important detail you should know is that this position is neither constitutional nor formally existent. It only exists in  Yoruba culture, and for that reason, shouldn鈥檛 be imposed on other Nigerian cultures. 

It鈥檚 the Tinubus that are benefiting鈥�.

Edo market women鈥檚 allegations cannot easily be considered baseless, especially given the hold the  Iyaloja typically hold over market women, traders and communities during elections. 

Women, who have remained gravely underserved and underrepresented under President Tinubu鈥檚 rule, hold significant voting power in Nigeria. During the 2023 elections, Nigerian women of the total number of voters. What Ojo-Tinubu is attempting to do in Edo State appears to be just one of the many steps needed to build a national network of market women, a historically beneficial group of allies in south-west mobilisation. Since she gave herself the Iyaloja-General title, she hasand urged Nigerians to do the same. 

Given her influence and the history of market leadership in politics, if she manages to bypass cultural traditions and install Iyalojas across different Nigerian states, it could give the APC a significant political edge.

Why should Nigerians kick against this Iyaloja obsession?

The Iyaloja title goes beyond market leadership; it鈥檚 about power. When one person, who just conveniently happens to be the president鈥檚 daughter, begins assigning traditional titles that don鈥檛 belong to other ethnic groups, it starts looking like political colonisation.

The Iyaloja title has deep Yoruba roots. It鈥檚 a respected position that comes with real community influence, especially during elections. But exporting that title to other parts of the country under the guise of 鈥渆mpowering market women鈥� reeks of soft political expansion backed by the government of the day. And when the Oba of Benin, the custodian of Edo culture, says 鈥淚yaloja is alien to us,鈥� that should be the final word.

Letting this slide sets a dangerous precedent. If unchecked, this 鈥淚yaloja-General鈥� experiment could slowly erase relevant local traditions and replace them with titles that only serve political convenience. Today it鈥檚 Edo; tomorrow, it could be Enugu or Kano.

What can you do to stop this political expansion?

Start by paying attention. These manipulations can be easy to miss, so start by questioning anything that seems off.

Speak up the next time a member of the Tinubu family attempts to twist tradition for political gains.

Support local traditional institutions that are standing their ground, and call out the hypocrisy using your social media platforms. 

You should also be encouraged to do your part by registering and collecting your permanent voter鈥檚 card. If the right man for the job were elected in 2027, it would be because you refused to be silenced. 

For many queer Nigerians, silence is survival. Beneath the genuine desire to love and be loved lies the fear of becoming the next tragic headline, punished simply for existing. Of all those fears, the possibility of being kitoed (which the BBC describes as when people, usually gangs, use online dating apps to entrap gay people – and then blackmail them) is the most incessant. 

What happened to Hilary? 

Macualey describes the events leading up to Hilary鈥檚 death as 鈥渁 brutal homophobic attack in Port Harcourt.鈥� According to the heartbreaking announcement released by the House of Rainbow founder, Hilary was deceived, lured into a meeting under false pretences, and subjected to targeted violence. The attackers reportedly beat him and threw him off a two-storey building. Despite fighting for his life, Hilary eventually died from severe spinal cord injuries caused by the attack.

He also added that Hilary represents another queer life taken far too soon, mourning it as the second reported kito-related death in just two weeks. 

He ended with a call to unity: for the queer community to hold one another close, to mourn and rage together, and to keep speaking truth to power until safety and dignity are no longer privileges but rights. 鈥淗ilary鈥檚 light will not be forgotten,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淢ay his memory strengthen our resolve for justice and peace.鈥�

As the call for justice continues to gain momentum, the hate and systemic failure against queer Nigerians remain persistent. In the comment section of Macaulay鈥檚 post, several social media users were seen mocking the grief and dismissing the violence as something almost deserved.

Unfortunately, even the Nigerian Police Force has refused to treat this alleged murder with the urgency it deserves, which in itself is deeply problematic. 

Who鈥檚 behind Hilary鈥檚 death?

The details surrounding this homophobic attack are still unfolding; however, some social media users have identified one Kenneth Iseoluwa Olonta as the alleged mastermind behind the attack. Though they allege that this is likely not his first attempt at attacking a queer Nigerian, it is important to note that we cannot confirm the authenticity of these allegations until the Nigerian Police Force releases an official statement to this effect. 

What are Nigerian security authorities doing about Hilary鈥檚 death?

Since news of Hilary鈥檚 attack spread across social media, human rights groups, including , have joined thousands of Nigerians in calling for justice. They鈥檙e urging the Nigerian government to open a public investigation into the brutal attack and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

, an organisation that offers legal and paralegal services to Nigerian minority groups, and Obodo Centre for Advocacy and Equal Rights have also jointly written addressed to the Nigerian police, demanding an investigation, arrest, and prosecution of all those involved in the incident.

However, as of the time of publication, there鈥檚 been no public response or indication that the police have begun investigating the case.

What does the Constitution say about attacks like this? 

Even though the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA) of 2014 prohibits same-sex marriage, civil unions, and public displays of affection, Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian citizen the right to life.

The law specifically states that 鈥淓very person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in the execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty.鈥�

This law, it appears, holds true for every Nigerian except the queer ones. Ironically, victims of kito who entrusted the police with their safety and quest for justice have been dismissed and exposed to more danger in the past. Human Rights Watch that the 2014 Same-Sex marriage law has been used to justify widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria, adding that the police have often been complicit in these abuses. The of over 160 queer Nigerians without proper investigation in 2023 (justified with this law) also corroborates this claim. 

The government鈥檚 silence enables these murders

The Nigerian government鈥檚 consistent refusal to address violence against queer Nigerians makes it hard to believe that every human life is truly valued in the country. In so doing, it encourages the cold-blooded murder of innocent Nigerians merely for leading an alternate lifestyle.

In 2024, a Nigerian cross-dresser known as the “Abuja Area Mama” was on the roadside with a visible gunshot wound. Even though the Nigerian police launched a probe into Area Mama’s killing, we cannot confirm that the murderers are currently behind bars.  

Following his death, Minority Watch, in collaboration with two other NGOs, submitted to the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the very day of the incident, and another on February 12, 2025. Both petitions called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. But despite these efforts, the organisation鈥檚 effort has only been met with a silence that mirrors the lack of justice in Hilary鈥檚 case.

There鈥檚 an uncomfortable pattern here that鈥檚 difficult to ignore. When murder cases spark public outrage on social media, the Nigerian Police Force often jumps into action and releases statements to allay public fears, outrage, and confirm the investigation into such cases. But when the victims are queer Nigerians, the silence is deafening. No press releases. No public condemnation. No assurance that justice will be served.

That silence is not ignorance; it comes off as an endorsement. By refusing to speak or act, the police send a dangerous message that targeting queer Nigerians comes without consequence. And in that way, they actively enable these killings. 

We condemn these acts of injustice and affirm that the Constitution stands above personal bias, prejudice, or hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community. If the Constitution declares that all Nigerian lives matter, then all Nigerian lives without exception must truly matter. 

How can you get justice for Hilary?

• Demand justice by joining the #JusticeforHilary social movement.
• Support organisations like Minority Watch, who are already following up on the legalities of this case by sharing their updates and driving more visibility to their work.聽
• Spread messages of love and support to the queer community as they navigate this loss.

Steve spent five years preparing for a fully-funded scholarship that would change his life. In 2025, he received the Swedish Institute Scholarship, and his life changed forever. In this story, he shares how he did it. 

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in Sweden. I left Nigeria on August 19, 2025.

Oh wow! Congratulations.

Thank you!

What was life like for you before leaving Nigeria?

I was in Lagos, but most of my friends weren鈥檛. I came to Lagos in 2023 to resume a job. Later, I took on the role of Social Media Manager for Tera Academy for the Arts, which is owned by Terra Kulture and Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions.

Then, sometime in December 2024, I was promoted to Head of Communications and Marketing. That was the role I held until I left. Most of my social interactions were with the few friends I had in Lagos and through work-related activities. Terra Kulture is a cultural hub, so there were always opportunities to interact and socialise with people there.

Sounds like you have a good life. What inspired you to apply for the Swedish Institute Scholarship, and how did you hear about it?

Honestly, I was inspired to apply because I wanted to further my education in communications and marketing. Before applying for the Swedish Institute (SI)Scholarship, I had already started a course with the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK. While I was on that, I decided I wanted to pursue a full master鈥檚 degree in communication, with marketing attached to it.

I first heard about the for Global Professionals on December 29th, 2019. From that moment, I started working towards it because I wanted to take one shot and make it count. So, I spent the next five years putting the pieces together to make sure I was ready. From October 2024 to February 2025, I made my application, and it was successful.

That鈥檚 amazing. What helped improve your chances?

I got it on my first attempt, and the most important thing that helped me was research. There鈥檚 no substitute for that. Applying for the SI Scholarship requires a lot of personal work because it鈥檚 your story; no one can tell it for you.

I spent years reading every page on their website, watching thousands of hours of YouTube videos, and gathering resources. It鈥檚 a very competitive scholarship; they receive over 9,000 applicants every year and only select 2鈥�3%. So, I studied every cycle, looked at what successful applicants did differently, and refined my approach year after year until I was ready to apply.

Can you walk me through the step-by-step process, especially for people who want to apply?

The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals is not like other scholarships; it鈥檚 targeted at professionals who have worked in their fields and made an impact aligned with the.

The process starts with an application for admission to a Swedish university. You need to first gain admission before being considered for the scholarship. The entire process begins every October.

I started my university application in October 2024. By November, the scholarship board (which is separate from the university) releases the application documents so you can start preparing.

You select your courses by January 15th, which is the deadline. Then, in the first week of February, university admissions close. By the second week of February, the SI Scholarship application officially opens, and you only have two weeks to submit your application.

By late March, university admission results are released. In my case, I got my first-choice admission at. Then, by late April, the scholarship results come out. That鈥檚 when you know if you鈥檝e been awarded funding, and from there, you can start planning your travel to Sweden.

What advice would you give to people applying this year? Any tips you wish you had known earlier?

My biggest advice is: do the work yourself. I get people asking me to help them apply or even offering to pay, but I鈥檓 not an agent, and even if I were helping, I wouldn鈥檛 charge. My advice is always: go back and do the research.

Be committed to it. I won鈥檛 tell anyone to put all their eggs in one basket, like I did; it worked for me, but it might not work for everyone. Another thing: read between the lines. English isn鈥檛 the first language for the Swedes, so some instructions might be worded in a way that could confuse you.

Pay close attention to every single detail because I almost made a mistake with the work experience section, which is crucial. They鈥檙e very strict with instructions. There are no second chances or late submissions. If you miss something, you鈥檒l have to wait till next year.

You got the scholarship on your first try. What do you think you did exceptionally well that made them say yes?

I put together a very strong application. I provided everything they asked for and more. I also had a supportive organisation behind me, Tera Academy for the Arts.

For example, one of the requirements is to prove that you鈥檝e worked for at least 3,000 hours 鈥� full-time, part-time, or freelance. Many people struggle with that because they don鈥檛 provide the proof in the format the Swedish Institute wants. People also make mistakes with document stamps, reference letters, or even the order of names.

I ensured every detail was correct and every document followed instructions. Scholarship applications are competitions, so you must put your best foot forward. Read everything carefully and present your experiences 鈥� work, leadership, documents 鈥� exactly as instructed.

You鈥檝e mentioned a few times that English isn鈥檛 their first language. What鈥檚 it like living in a country where people speak a different language?

They speak Swedish, but everyone I鈥檝e met so far also speaks English. You can live comfortably in Sweden without speaking Swedish. 

However, if you plan to integrate into society by volunteering, working part-time, or building relationships, learning Swedish helps. They even have a program called Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) that makes it easy to learn. So, you don鈥檛 need to speak Swedish to live here, but if you want to truly belong, it鈥檚 good to learn.

What鈥檚 it like studying there, especially since most Nigerians go to the UK or the US?

The education system here is excellent. They take honesty seriously. For example, if a website doesn鈥檛 have an updated picture of a building, they鈥檇 rather not post it than mislead people. That鈥檚 how serious they are about accuracy and integrity.

The same values reflect in their schools. The resources, facilities, and lecturers are top-notch and very responsive. They鈥檙e also informal; you call professors by their first names, and they make sure you feel comfortable and included. There鈥檚 no discrimination in resource allocation, and they emphasise sustainable, progressive learning. Everything is world-class. The only thing they don鈥檛 joke with is plagiarism; it鈥檚 treated almost like a crime. So, everyone is careful about academic integrity.

Could you share exactly what you鈥檙e studying and how you chose it?

Sure. Selecting my course was a two-step process. First, I had to find a course that the Swedish Institute was willing to sponsor because not every course qualifies. Every year, they release a list of.

After finding the eligible courses, I had to check if I was qualified by asking myself questions like, do I have the background, the credits, and relevant experience? I wanted something heavy on communication but also covering marketing, PR, advertising, crisis communication, and brand strategy. I found all that in the Strategic Communication course at Lund University. 

For anyone applying, don鈥檛 just pick any course. Make sure it鈥檚 one sponsored by the scholarship, or you might not be able to afford it.

Do you see yourself staying in Sweden after your studies?

Not necessarily, but all options are on the table. One of the main goals of the scholarship is for us to go back and contribute to our home countries. The future is still about 20 months away, but I definitely want to give back in whatever capacity I can.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Sweden?

I鈥檇 say ten. People talk about the 鈥渉oneymoon phase鈥� when you first arrive, but it鈥檚 been two months, and I鈥檓 still very happy. The system works for everyone.

There are things I didn鈥檛 even realise should just work until I experienced them here. Everything is organised, people are cared for, and the environment makes life easier. There鈥檚 really a lot to be happy about.

 Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me . 

Asiwaju – A Leader and Pioneer

If the 2027 elections unfold in the current president鈥檚 favour, it won鈥檛 necessarily be because he is the people鈥檚 choice; it would be because Tinubu has decided to take his Asiwaju alias literally by laying his cards on the table quicker than any opposition, even when the law says otherwise. 

Entitlement has never been a strange concept to President Tinubu. During the 2023 elections, he quickly established his 鈥渂y fire, by force鈥� intentions of becoming president, drilling the abhorred 鈥淓milokan鈥� slogan in the minds of over 200 million citizens. Now in 2025, the president and his supporters have found new loopholes to establish his intention to ride on this wave of entitlement-driven presidential ambition, two years before the next elections. With Emilokan billboards and vehicles plastered across the country, it is becoming clearer that the law is a suggestion to the president. 

How we got here

As far back as April 2025, Nigerians started spotting President Tinubu鈥檚 campaign billboards across the country. 

After questions regarding the legality of these early campaigns were raised, the president quickly cleared his name by that he had nothing to do with them and urged the people responsible for the wide circulation of these campaign materials to stop. 

We respected the President鈥檚 cute attempt at respecting the law, but we wish we could say the same for these 鈥渟upporters.鈥� Ten days after the announcement, these 鈥渟upporters鈥� decided to flood the streets of Abuja with more pictures of the president, urging other citizens to hop on the Emilokan 2027 train.

The campaign has only gotten more intense and has expanded across more Nigerian states since then. 

What does the law say about this?

The clearly states that political campaigns are only allowed to start 150 days before the election and must stop 24 hours before election day. Anything outside that window is considered illegal. Before the 2022 Act, we had the Electoral Act 2010, which was much stricter and only allowed campaigns to kick off 60 days before the election.

Senior lawyers and political commentators have these early campaigns, saying they undermine democracy and promote electoral indiscipline. 

In August 2025, Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), called out this bad behaviour, describing the early political campaigns as 鈥渢otally illegal, diversionary, and a breach of the Electoral Act, 2022.鈥�

He went even further by dragging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for letting it slide. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not time yet to campaign,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 do hope INEC would draw the attention of politicians, including those in government, to relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.鈥�

Are INEC鈥檚 hands tied, or are they just indulging lawlessness? 

INEC itself has politicians to respect the law. In a statement by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, the commission clarified that campaigns will not be allowed until electoral timetables are released. But as history has proven, words without actions mean nothing in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the law doesn鈥檛 give INEC much freedom to impose sanctions on these offenders. 

While there are minor penalties (like fines) for campaigning within 24 hours of voting, there are no consequences for politicians who start campaigning two or even three years early. So, the law is, in fact, more of a suggestion than anything else. 

If he wanted to, he would鈥�

Yes, the president has addressed his 鈥渟upporters鈥� and asked them to stop shoving his political ambition down our throats, but there鈥檚 so much more he could do if he wanted to. 

Nigeria has had three electoral reform processes . While the responsibility has been mainly on the National Assembly, INEC has had the opportunity to participate in the process since 2002.

Even sitting presidents like the late Yar鈥橝dua have participated in the process. There鈥檚 quite literally nothing that鈥檚 stopping President Tinubu from setting up an electoral reform committee to investigate and put a permanent stop to these early campaigns. And if he wants to take things a notch further, he can initiate another electoral reform.

Even INEC, with its little damsel in distress act, isn鈥檛 as helpless as it portrays itself to be in this situation. If it wanted to ban early campaigning, it could submit a legal review proposal to the National Assembly.

You snooze, you lose鈥�

It鈥檚 President Tinubu鈥檚 world; the other 2027 presidential candidates are just living in it. You might think of these early campaigns as just another item on the 鈥渁nyhowness鈥� list we seem to have normalised in Nigeria, but it puts real, people-driven political ambitions at risk and defeats the purpose of democracy. 

The 2022 Electoral Act defines how much money is too much to spend on campaigns. The spending limits, according to Section 88, for presidential candidates are 鈧�5 billion, 鈧�1 billion for governorship candidates, 鈧�100 million and 鈧�70 million for the Senate representatives, and 鈧�30 million for State Assembly seats.

But here鈥檚 the part that might make you lose some sleep tonight 鈥� the spending limit can only be tracked within the 150-day campaign timeframe set by INEC. Politicians are not legally obligated to report anything spent on campaigns before then

Section 88 (9) basically says that if a candidate knowingly breaks this rule, they鈥檝e committed an offence. If convicted, they could be fined 1% of the maximum campaign spending limit allowed under the law, jailed for up to 12 months, or face both penalties. But this law can hardly be used to convict the politicians participating in these early campaigns since INEC itself has informed Nigerians that it can鈥檛 promise that it would be possible to track the expenses recorded before campaigns legally kick off.

What this means is that politicians whose campaigns have already kicked off get to enjoy the best of both worlds 鈥� more money on electoral campaigns without any form of accountability and more advantage over the presidential candidates who have chosen to be law-abiding citizens by following the law鈥檚 spending limit. 

Democracy or Demo-crazy?

As of now, President Tinubu still hasn鈥檛 declared his political ambition for 2027, but that hasn鈥檛 stopped his mouthpieces from speaking for him. Take Yahaya Bello, ex-governor of Kogi state and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission鈥檚 regular customer, for example. 

On Saturday, October 18, he that there was no need for President Tinubu to campaign in Kogi state because 鈥淭here is no opposition in Kogi State. Those who are making noise somewhere have not seen the lion. When the lion roars, they will run with their tails.鈥� We鈥檝e also had other politicians like , and Ondo State Governor, , declare their support for the president鈥檚 reelection ambitions. 

We can mention a million and one ways that statements like this threaten democracy, but we鈥檒l focus on how political analysts have continually condemned what appears to be the promotion of a one-party system by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party has denied those claims in the past, but statements like 鈥渢here鈥檚 no opposition鈥� make one wonder just how reliable the denial is. 

Presently, the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), currently has only in the country despite ending the 2023 elections with 11 governors. The Labour Party has only one governor, Alex Otti of Abia state, and there have been attempt from him as well.  

What does this mean for Nigerians?

As light-hearted as this may seem right now, actions have consequences. As Abdullahi Abdul Zuru, Chair of INEC鈥檚 Electoral Institute, put it, early campaigning increases the cost of politics, distracts officials from actual governance, and makes ordinary Nigerians more paranoid about the state of democracy. 

Since politicians like Yahaya Bello have declared that there is 鈥渘o opposition,鈥� it is now up to you to stand with the other 200+ million Nigerians to oppose every threat to democracy. If President Tinubu and his crew are prepared for the 2027 elections, you should be prepared too. INEC has officially kicked off its online pre-registration, and you can find everything you need to know . 

What can you do about it?

Lawlessness thrives when we鈥檙e all ignorant about the facts and silent about injustice. If you鈥檝e read this article up to this point, you鈥檙e no longer ignorant. To educate other Nigerians, we鈥檒l need you to spread the word by sharing this article on your preferred platform. 

After that鈥檚 done, here are the next steps we recommend: 

• Call for accountability on social media and tag INEC, and the politicians behind these law-bending activities.聽
• Send emails to iccc@inec.gov.ng with pictures of any campaign activities you come across, add the specific location and demand that they take immediate action.
• Use your voice. Make videos educating other Nigerians on the dangers of early campaigns and get the good word out there.
• Consider setting up petitions addressed to the president and the National Assembly, urging them to review our current electoral laws and eliminate legal loopholes.
• Subscribe to newsletters like to get daily political updates and stay educated on topics like this.

You can also help 91大神 Citizen predict youth attitudes toward the 2027 elections by taking .