Fake Scholarships and the Rise of Desperate Migration Among Nigerian Youths

By Precious Onajobi 

With the growing desperation to migrate overseas, the rapid increase in fraudulent scholarship schemes targeting Nigerian youths has raised concerns across the country.

In recent months, numerous fraudulent agents have deceived students and graduates pursuing opportunities in countries such as Canada, the UK, and Germany.

Temitope Ayeni, a 21-year-old Nigerian graduate, believed she had secured a life-changing opportunity.

Ayeni had recently received what appeared to be a fully funded scholarship offer from a Canadian university. The email seemed legitimate, the Instagram page appeared authentic, and the agent had numerous positive testimonials.

 

“They said all I needed was eight hundred thousand naira for processing and health insurance,” Temitope recounts.

 

“They even showed me a sample visa. I did not hesitate.”

 

Temitope is just one of many Nigerian youths who have fallen victim in recent months to fraudsters posing as scholarship or travel consultants.

ALSO READ: Sanwo-Olu urges Lagosians to Vote Peacefully in Local Government Elections

From counterfeit Canadian study permits to non-existent UK universities, the scam is on the rise, and so is the number of those being deceived.

These scams often run through polished Instagram profiles, WhatsApp broadcasts, and Telegram groups packed with fake testimonials and doctored documents. After victims pay amounts between three hundred thousand naira and over one million naira, the so-called consultants vanish without a trace.

Youth Migration Trends (IOM 2025)

In February 2025, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Nigerian government, validated the 2025 National Migration Policy.

This updated policy reflects a growing concern over irregular migration, particularly among Nigerian youths. It emphasises the need to safeguard migrants’ rights while addressing root causes such as unemployment, poor educational infrastructure, and a lack of local opportunities that push young Nigerians towards risky alternatives like fake scholarships.

The policy promotes safe, orderly migration and calls for more coordinated efforts across sectors to protect vulnerable groups, especially youth, from exploitation by trafficking rings and fraudulent agents.

Youth Migration Surge and the Role of Social Pressure

The increase in scholarship fraud is directly associated with the growing rate of youth migration from Nigeria, commonly referred to as Japa.

Disheartened by joblessness, uncertainty, and restricted opportunities for quality education, numerous young Nigerians are looking to move overseas via study or skilled migration programmes.

ALSO READ: Capital of Lagos: 10 Beautiful Places to visit in Ikeja

Ruth Oti, a Lagos-based student, explained that it was not just about studying abroad; it felt like an escape from everything going wrong.

She stated, “A friend shared a contact on WhatsApp who claimed to offer guaranteed admissions and scholarships to universities in Germany. I transferred two hundred thousand naira for application and translation fees. That was the last I heard from them.”

The number stopped going through, and the website disappeared.

Oti’s experience underscores how social expectations and peer pressure are increasingly pushing Nigerian youths toward risky decisions, often without proper fact-checking.

Every day, young people scroll past relocation success stories, TikTok visa tips, and YouTube tutorials on “How I moved to the UK”. What many fail to notice are the risks, the losses, and the silence of those who did not make it.

Social media has exacerbated this migration trend, as daily posts about visa approvals, relocation advice, and success stories continue to influence others, creating a competitive environment where many feel pressured to leave the country at all costs, even if it means falling for fraudulent offers.

But experts say this is just the beginning. “Young people will continue to try to leave unless there are enough opportunities at home,” says Seyi Olamide, a youth migration researcher.

“Many of them are not just seeking education; they are escaping hopelessness. If the conditions that drive desperation remain unaddressed, fraudulent agents will always have victims. What we need is not just awareness campaigns, but real reforms, jobs, quality education, and trust in local institutions. That’s how to reduce the allure of fake promises.”

Response Efforts and Youth Advocacy

Amid escalating concern, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has released warnings directed at Nigerian youths, urging them to stay alert and avoid falling victim to fraudulent federal government scholarship schemes. In one documented case, the Commission revealed how unsuspecting youths were scammed out of over two hundred and sixty-two thousand naira in fraudulent processing fees.

The anti-corruption body advised students and recent graduates to cross-check all scholarship offers via official government channels before making any payments, stressing that legitimate opportunities do not require upfront fees.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also launched the Red Alert Campaign. Its continuous Red Alert on the Scam section of the EFCC website explicitly warns scholarship seekers that any offer requiring payment is likely a scam and provides practical tips to verify authenticity.

As the dream of studying or relocating abroad continues to fuel the ambitions of many young Nigerians, experts and authorities are calling for increased awareness, digital literacy, and stronger regulatory enforcement. While government agencies ramp up efforts to expose fraudulent schemes, the responsibility also lies with individuals to remain vigilant, ask critical questions, and verify every opportunity. In a digital age where scams disguise themselves as legitimate, staying informed may be the most valuable passport young people can carry.