The Ireland Fellows Programme—Nigeria
The Ireland Fellows Programme offers fully funded one-year master’s degrees in Ireland to early- to mid-career professionals from eligible countries with leadership potential. It covers tuition, travel, accommodation, and living expenses. The program promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented groups. Its goal is to build future leaders, support national development goals (SDGs), and strengthen lasting partnerships with Ireland.
The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Programme aligns with the Irish Government’s commitments under Global Ireland and the national implementation plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, and Global Citizens 2030 Ireland’s International Talent and Innovation Strategy, as well as Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Africa to 2025; Global Ireland: Delivering in the Asia Pacific Region; Ireland’s Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States; and Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025. The programme is managed by the relevant Embassy responsible for eligible countries. Programme implementation in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).
Casement Fellowship in Human Rights
The Roger Casement Fellowship in Human Rights was established to honor the memory of the Irish human rights activist Roger Casement, who spent some of his early working life in Calabar, Nigeria. He was an early advocate for human rights while in Nigeria and during his later work in the Congo, the Amazon, and Ireland. With his humanitarian legacy in mind, the Roger Casement Fellowship supports candidates from Nigeria to undertake a master’s-level course of study in human rights in Ireland each year.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Ireland Fellows Programme – Casement Fellowship for the 2026–2027 academic year, applicants must:
- Be a Nigerian national and resident.
- Have at least two years of relevant work experience related to the chosen field of study.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (minimum GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited institution, awarded in 2014 or later. A second-class lower degree may be accepted if supported by significant relevant experience.
- Not hold or be pursuing a master’s degree or higher qualification.
- Intend to start a new master’s program in Ireland from August 2026.
- Show leadership potential, commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, and a willingness to build positive ties with Ireland.
- Choose three eligible programs in the fields of law, human rights, or governance from the Casement Fellowship directory.
- Understand the academic and English language requirements of the selected programs.
- Not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme more than once previously.
- Be able to fully participate in the fellowship during the 2026/27 academic year.
Application Process
The application involves three stages:
- Preliminary Application
- Detailed Application
- Interview
Final candidates must present a valid IELTS certificate (dated 2024 or later) with the required score for their chosen course(s). Early preparation is strongly recommended—even for native English speakers.
Preliminary application: Opens 30 June 2025, closes 25 July 2025
Gamji Educational and Mentorship Forum 
Leave a comment