Abubakar is the tenth child in a polygamous family of fifteen. Raised by a peasant farmer father and a full-time housewife mother, Abubakar’s journey toward academic excellence began with a determination to escape poverty and break free from the challenges of social class in his community.

As the first in his family to attend college, he graduated with a first-class degree in Biology from Umaru Musa Yar'adua University and later earned a master's degree in Biology with distinction from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. His academic commitment earned him the prestigious Nigerian PTDF scholarship, which supported his undergraduate education. Through perseverance, Abubakar produced 10 academic research articles, generating over 30 citations, significantly contributing to his success.

Studying in the United States had always been his dream. In 2022, he applied to the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program and was selected as a finalist. Though his first attempt at U.S. school admissions in the fall of 2023 resulted in rejections, he continued to push forward. In February 2024, his perseverance paid off when he received a fully-funded doctoral offer from Wayne State University, including a GTA support package worth $63,382.

Having been brought up in a local community and now growing up to lead life-changing initiatives has contributed immensely to my transformative leadership and capabilities. I realized earlier that education was the only weapon I had to fulfill my aspirations of becoming a global change agent. As a first-generation college graduate, I completed a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), graduating among the top students in my cohort (2021) and won several awards, including the Federal Government Scholarship Award from sophomore year to final year. The kind support I received as a scholar from this scholarship made it possible for me to earn a university degree. 

All my life, I have striven for excellence regardless of my socio-economic background, and I have achieved great feats regardless of the opposition and constraints. Throughout my academic career, I have developed a deep curiosity for the multifaceted and constantly evolving fields of science and technology. My college experience exposed me to different research subjects and sparked a thirst for more novel findings, with special attention to advanced materials and manufacturing. These experiences led to the discovery of my curiosity about understanding various engineering materials across a wide spectrum of real-world applications and inspired me to pursue an advanced degree. I am keenly passionate about developing solutions that are easily accessible for the retention of sustainable advanced materials and manufacturing technologies. 

As someone who is always willing to give back to my community, I did not limit my abilities to only academics; I’ve had the privilege of volunteering and leading more than five non-profit organizations within campus and the community in different capacities. I served as a vibrant executive of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, FUTA Chapter. I also co-pioneered the establishment of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, FUTA, and served as its founding secretary. In college, I mentored up to seven junior students who also secured several undergrad scholarships. In 2022, I was unveiled as the face of Nigerian youth leaders by the Public Affairs division of the United States Consulate, Abuja, upon completion of a 9-month intensive leadership fellowship organized by the Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa. 

My desire to inspire and impact the underrepresented youth population around me led me to establish an NGO called Career Associates Nigeria with over 67,000+ followers on LinkedIn. The turning point in my career came when I got to the final interview stage of the EducationUSA OFP 2023 cohort and had the opportunity to participate actively during the Graduate School Bootcamp at the U.S. Lagos consulate. This experience and wealth of knowledge I garnered ignited a burning desire to pursue my dream of securing a fully funded doctoral program in the United States of America. Fast forward months later, I got my big win: the opportunity to attend the prestigious Pennsylvania State University in spring 2024 for my doctoral program in Materials Science and Engineering on a fully-funded offer covering a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a competitive stipend. 

I would like to extend a gratitude to EducationUSA for the mentorship, thank you! As a further projection, my research aims to focus on the design and development of new advanced materials with attention to sustainability and durability by leveraging computation, experimental techniques, and machine learning. Ultimately, my long-term pursuit is to pursue a tenured professorship in materials engineering and advanced manufacturing, where I can train and supervise students to become tenacious researchers while contributing significantly to the body of knowledge in the field.

Akinola Emmanuel is a first-class graduate of mechanical engineering from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, in the top 4% in a class of 97. Emmanuel's academic journey instilled in him a deep appreciation for the profound impact of education on individuals and society.

With a firm belief in the transformative power of education, Emmanuel is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others. He has leveraged his passion for helping humanity through GEGAS (Get Educated, Get A Skill) Africa, an initiative that focuses on ensuring access to quality education for underprivileged Nigerian youth. Currently, Emmanuel holds the position of communication lead, utilizing his skills to effectively convey messages and promote the initiative's objectives.

As an EducationUSA opportunity funds scholar, Emmanuel was exposed to firsthand information and guidance needed in applying to U.S. schools and provided the necessary resources to make his graduate school ambition a reality. Emmanuel applied and received two fully funded admissions for a Ph.D. program in Mechanical Engineering at U.S. institutions.

Emmanuel is set to embark on his academic journey at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. His research will focus on additive manufacturing and Micro/nano-scale materials (Nanotechnology), an area he is deeply passionate about. 

In his account, becoming an EducationUSA OFP scholar was one of the best things that happened to him and he wholeheartedly believes that EducationUSA Lagos has the potential to assist Nigerian students, like himself, to reach for the stars. He eagerly anticipates the opportunity to contribute to the community that has played a pivotal role in his personal growth and is convinced that doing so will serve as a means to help aspiring individuals with goals and dreams similar to his own to reach their full potential.

Jolaoluwa has been an exceptional student right from primary school. Throughout his secondary school education, he was constantly part of the top 10% of students, and as such, a member of his school’s honors class. In his final year, he was a Senior member of his school’s computer club, an Assembly prefect, and a class representative in his set’s social committee. He also represented his school externally in debate, and created large study groups where he tutored his classmates in various subjects. He graduated highschool with a 3.88/4.00 GPA. During graduation, he had the best NECO result and the second highest JAMB score in his class. This earned him a commendation from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, who assured him a spot in the university if he chose to attend. He later went on to score a 1530 on the SAT. 

Jolaoluwa proceeded to take a gap year to build practical skills that would be relevant to his intended career path in Computer Science and Engineering. He worked on building his programming skills by taking online courses and training programs. He also shadowed an engineer at Yaba College of Technology to gain some experience in the electrical engineering industry. 

Jolaoluwa engages in volunteer work such as cleaning up his neighborhood, assisting in managing events, and writing newsletters and articles for bodies he is affiliated with. He has also worked with his church as a technical A/V personnel and a welfare worker. Additionally, he tutored secondary school students in various classes, bringing complex academic concepts down to their level. 

Jolaoluwa got accepted into EducationUSA’s Opportunity Fund Programs. And with their guidance, he was able to gain admission with scholarships into a number of schools including Alabama A&M University, Georgia State University, Barry University, and Fisk University. He will be resuming this fall at Fisk University as an Erastus-Milo Cravath Presidential scholar to study Computer Science. He hopes to find new ways technology can be harnessed to improve the day-to-day lives of people.

Ayomide’s consistent strive for academic excellence began right from when he first stepped into primary school. For six years, he was the top student in his entire grade, and after graduating as the best primary school student in his school, he gained admission into St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, to begin the next stage of his life. From 7th grade, Ayomide dedicated himself entirely to his studies. Because of the minimal power supply experienced at home, he could only study during school hours. Yet, due to his diligence, he was always a recipient of the distinguished honors award for all the subjects from 7th to 12th grade. Being the best-graduating student in his class of 2022, therefore, came as no surprise. 

His academic prowess extends beyond just classroom excellence. He has participated in several Mathematics and Science competitions such as the Magis quiz, Cowbellpedia Mathematics for Secondary Schools, InterswitchSPAK,  and St. Gregory’s Mathematics meet-up. In each of these competitions. Ayomide emerged as a semifinalist or winner of the whole state. 

Besides his stellar academic profile, Ayomide has also demonstrated impressive leadership abilities. He discovered that many students in his school had problems with mathematics. As a result, he organized informal tutorials, inspiring them to see Math differently than as a subject they’re doomed to fail. Soon enough, those students started to earn higher grades. Assuming the role of President of the Young Mathematicians Club, Ayomide inspired more students to see mathematics in an alternate point of view. He even stood in for teachers on some days, inciting enthusiasm and active participation from the students he taught. 

Then, Ayomide took this a step further: he did community service at Beth-Torrey Home for children with special needs. By washing their clothes and plates and cleaning their surroundings, Ayomide ensured these children had access to a clean and healthy environment. After he graduated from St. Francis Catholic Secondary School in 2022, Ayomide’s mathematical prowess reach an international stage; he competed in the 2023 World Maths Day and ranked 102 out of 20000+ contestants, he participated in the Euclid Mathematics Contest hosted by the prestigious University of Waterloo and placed in the top 25%, and he competed in the International Youth Mathematics Challenge where he placed 3rd out of 5300 competitors. 

In June 2023, Ayomide gained a spot in the coveted EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program. With the help of his wonderful advisors and along with his fellow cohort members, Ayomide was able to gain admission into Fisk University, Mercer University and Fordham University, his scholarship putting him at a net value of $343,000. 

Now, Ayomide is attending Fisk University and is double majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science and he can't wait for what the next four years will bring.

Azeem Gbolahan Ayinde, born and bred in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to a large polygamous family with a very low socioeconomic standing, embarked on a remarkable odyssey that has molded him into an exceptional and inspiring character who has gained recognition across all levels in Nigeria. He started his high school education at African Church Grammar School (Ita-Iyalode, Owu), where he was the overall best student throughout his six years of secondary education and later graduated as a valedictorian in 2022. His extraordinary academic achievements of being at the top of his class and being a prime ambassador of his school in inter- school competitions in his junior years, coupled with the financial disadvantage of his background, made him stand out to his Alma Mater’s Old Students Association Alumni, who took care of his fees, books, and every necessary school material. 

In the social skeleton of the school, Azeem showed exemplary leadership abilities as a class captain (from JSS1-3) and an assistant senior prefect twice (junior and senior levels), where he took on the role of the bridge between over 5500 students and the large school authority, fostering peace, order, and equality for all. He was also an executive member of the fund-raising committee of his school, which helped raise about 2 million naira to complete the school sound system project and organize the school Literary and Debating day (an annual inter-school competition).

Azeem also held strong roles in other parts of the school. Hia name reverberates throughout the school in Ogun State, Nigeria, for various reasons. From being the winner and first runner-up of the two biggest and most prestigious STEM competitions in Nigeria (JETS and YONSPA), respectively, to being the 5th best overall finalist in the 2022 Interswitch SPAK National STEM Competition 3.0, which doubles as the first-ever and only public school student (record yet to be broken) to get to the finals, Azeem is truly a character to be reckoned with. He won Overall Best in the grand finale of the 24th Edition of the JETS Competition in Nigeria, where he represented Ogun State, clinching over nine gold trophies( out of 18), 10 gold medals and 2 silver medals. He was also in the 2nd position in the Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (YONSPA) 2022, where he was named a Nigerian Presidential Scholar and awarded a full scholarship up to the PhD level to study any STEM- related course in any Nigerian university. 

Azeem had a score of 341 (Biology, Physics, and Chemistry) in the 2022 UTME Examination. After realizing his true passion lies in Computer Science and Engineering, he took the 2023 UTME Examination in his gap year and had a whopping score of 357, which placed him in the position of the 4th overall best UTME candidate in Nigeria (out of 1.6 million candidates), which earned him a full scholarship from the MTN Foundation to study at any Nigerian university for his undergraduate level. This streak of achievements influenced his alma mater (African Church Grammar School) Old Student Association Club 782 to erect a 6-block classroom building in his high school and name the building after Azeem as a memorial. Azeem graduated with a 3.98/4.00 GPA and 6As in his WASSCE. He also took the 2023 August SAT, where he achieved a score of 1520. 

After graduating from secondary school in 2022, Azeem’s journey led him to volunteer at his high school, where he coached students for STEM competitions and prepared them for their WASSCE and UTME examinations as a way to show his commitment to the growth of others and give back to the school he has received so much from. He also took up the position of research assistant with a professor of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to research ways in which A.I. and M.L. can revolutionize the education and inclusion of young females in STEM fields. Inspired by the research’s impact, he expanded the scope of Afrogram Females in STEM (AFSTEM), an initiative he started under the JETS Club of his school, to include more female kids from under-resourced and underrepresented areas. 

During his gap year, Azeem took online intensive courses to improve his knowledge of programming, data science, and Artificial Intelligence through the Harvard CS50 and MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW). He also got a scholarship (financial aid) from Coursera to take online UI/UX courses about Assistive Technology and Robotics. Outside his academic interests in CS, Azeem indulged in his passion for social change through graphics art by volunteering as a graphics designer with Girls Up Brave Hearts to champion inclusivity in the ambitious pursuits of female learners. Also, he spent the rest of his time achieving commendable proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, a language he loves dearly. 

With the tremendous support of EducationUSA’s OFP Scholar Program coupled with an invaluable period of reviews from his advisors, OFP mentors, and peer scholars, Azeem’s potential for scholarly success and incredible leadership skills opened several routes for him. He was awarded the extremely selective Global Scholarship Award (a full-ride scholarship only awarded to one other admitted in the class of 2028) at Sewanee University of South. He was also accepted on a full-ride scholarship (financial aid) as a Pulver Science Scholar (10 scholars are selected from each incoming class) to the prestigious Colby College. He also received full-ride scholarships to Fisk University and Bethune Cookman University as an Erastus-Milo Cravath Scholar and a Presidential Scholar, respectively, with some partial scholarships to Stetson University and Alabama A&M University, and his total scholarship from all these institutions amounts to approximately $1.14 million (US dollars). 

Azeem has chosen to attend Colby College on a scholarship worth $90,000 per year as a member of 2028, majoring in Computer Science and Economics. He can’t wait to experience what the next four years have for him, while leaving his indelible footprints in his scholarly achievements.

Born to a family of six, Chidiebere was very ambitious at a tender age. When Chidiebere’s parents found it hard to cover his education and those of his five siblings, he was sent to live with an aunt of his where he tested the cruel side of life. Four years later, Chidiebere had to leave for Lagos with an uncle to continue his education but, things didn’t go smoothly there as he endured three years of maltreatment, isolation from friends, and trauma all in the pursuit of his education, leading him to leave in the avoidance of becoming his uncle’s apprentice. Yet, these situations didn’t deter him from dreaming. With immense support from a very caring uncle and a family who accepted him as their son, Chidiebere was able to attend secondary school where he worked diligently, graduating as the Valedictorian of his school. He was even able to achieve a WASSCE result of 6A1s and 3Bs and a UTME score of 340/400, shattering the previous records in his school’s history.

 Chidiebere is a big movie fanatic, loves singing, and enjoys deep space fantasies. He is also a Mathematics wizard  and would often spend his free time and laundry periods in school doing/discussing it with his teacher. This close relationship with his Mathematics teacher allowed him to share his worries about affording a tertiary education for which his teacher told him to never stop dreaming big and working hard as he might win a scholarship one day. 

Chidiebere had been representing his school in various competitions such as the National Mathematics Centre’s Olympiad since his junior secondary days, but he entered the national stage in the first year of his senior secondary education when he emerged 6th in the State Level of the International Maths Olympiad and was invited to contest at the National Level as the only qualifying candidate from his school. Chidiebere was also the only student in the state to sit for both the Maths and Physics Olympiad on the same day. The next year was followed by a lot of hard work as he prepared to represent Anambra State at the National Level of the YONSPA where he was the third best in Maths after emerging as the State’s Best Science Student against various International schools in Anambra State (a feat which he was the first to own from his school). 

While waiting for admission from his National University of choice, due to the effect of the ASUU strike, Chidiebere took the opportunity to give back to his school by undertaking numerous mentorship and assistive roles. Most notable was his mentorship of the School’s Olympiad Team, through which he produced a student who went on to win a silver medal in the State Maths Olympiad just as he did during his time. For this, he was honored by the Nigerian National Mathematics Centre. It was also during this period that Chidiebere applied to the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Scholars Program through the continued support of his Mathematics teacher who frequently provided him with links to numerous trustworthy scholarships.

Chidiebere’s application to the OFP was successful, and through the tight-knit community and colossal financial and emotional support of the OFP family, he took the SAT and DET, in which he scored 1540/1600 and 145/160 respectively, and applied to a handful of US institutions. Come months later, Chidiebere’s application got him accepted into fine US institutions including Carthage College, Fisk University, Barry University, Mercer University, and Colby College on scholarships ranging from partial to full-ride scholarships.

After careful consideration, Chidiebere has decided to attend Colby College where he was named a Pulver Science Scholar(only 10 scholars per class). There, he will be studying Physics, Maths, and Computer Science on a scholarship worth over $91,000 per year. Chidiebere will be the first in his family to attend college, and he urges everyone to remember that dreams do come true. His story is one he hopes will inspire teens of all backgrounds going through different struggles to still dream big.

My humble background made my resolve to excel resolute and I saw quality education as the panacea. As a high school student, I found certain concepts in biology, such as cell theory as well as application of chemistry in health, fascinating. I was determined to probe  into these concepts, with the intention of finding solutions to numerous health challenges facing society. My unflinching ardor for education matched with encouraging parents empowered me to excel in my senior high school final examination, after which I was admitted and enrolled into Biochemistry in the University of Nigeria.

I lost my father during my early days in the university, bringing both emotional and psychological struggle. Nevertheless, I didn’t give up. Despite this hurdle, I took my academics so seriously, I was awarded the Enugu State Undergraduate Scholarship in 2017 because of my excellent academic performance, and graduated at the top 2% of my class in 2018, coming only 2nd in a class of about 200 students.Chigozie Paul Odo

 Aside from my Academics, I have served in several leadership positions, such as representing the Department of Biochemistry in Students Union Government in 2017, being a member of the Students Week Committee,serving as provost St. Jude Society and many more which boosted my leadership skills. 

I have a strong passion for research, I want to provide lasting solutions to deadly diseases afflicting our society such as cancer. To keep ascending the ladder of my academic development, I enrolled for a Master's Degree Program in Biochemistry in 2021, where I am specializing in Pharmacology. 

Coming in contact with EducationUSA helped broaden my horizon and brought clarity to my career path. This experience has been the driving force of my desire to pursue a PhD in the US. Their mentorship and guidance helped me submit quality applications for PhD in the US. These efforts have resulted in me securing a fully funded PhD position in chemistry from the University of South Carolina starting fall 2024. 

I have faced several personal challenges in my life and overcoming them have instilled in me a strong desire to help others succeed. I plan to give back to the community through mentoring younger ones and helping them to get the right information to apply to fully funded scholarships in the U.S. and beyond.

Chimaroke is a dedicated research enthusiast with a strong passion for understanding  evolution. He graduated with top honors in Zoology from Lagos State University,  standing out as one of the best in his class in the year 2021. His interest in applying  computational skills to explore evolutionary processes led him to a bioinformatics  and computational biology lab at Lagos State University, where he gained practical experience in analyzing genomic data. Chimaroke also took the time to guide and  support undergraduate students interested in these topics.  

He was selected as one of only 26 candidates out of 600 applicants for the  EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program for the 2023/2024 cohort. This program  provided him with valuable mentorship on securing a fully funded scholarship in the  U.S after facing multiple rejections in previous years  

He is now set to begin his PhD studies at Clarkson University in New York, focusing  on Evolutionary Biology, thanks to a fully funded admission offer. Chimaroke's dedication and determination make him a true role model for those  with a passion for scientific exploration and a commitment to academic success.  He’s ever willing to mentor upcoming students in this regard.

Chukwuebuka Callistus Nkwocha graduated with first-class honors in biochemistry from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. In addition to his exceptional academic performance as an undergraduate, he also demonstrated strong leadership skills and a commitment to community engagement. He was a member of the team that represented and won laurels for his university at the All Nigerian Universities Debate Championship tournaments in 2017 and 2018, showcasing his critical thinking abilities and effective communication skills. 

As a student leader, he took the initiative to organize the maiden Healthy Youths, Healthy Naija conference at the university, which played a significant role in addressing drug abuse on campus. He is driven by a passion to make a positive impact on society through innovation and service. During his National Youth Service (NYSC) year in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to bridging the gaps in healthcare and human capital development. He utilized his positions as Corps Liaison Officer and Coordinator of the Health Community Development Service Group to spearhead health sensitization campaigns and successfully implement projects that positively impacted the health and education sectors in the Amassoma community. His exceptional dedication and achievements earned him the prestigious recognition of the state government, who honored him with the Award of Excellence as the Most Outstanding Corps Member for the 2021–2022 service year. 

In his bid to acquire top-notch doctoral training that will empower him with the skills to solve problems in oncology, Chukwuebuka became passionate about studying in the US. After discovering EducationUSA Lagos, Nigeria’s activities, he applied and was successful in securing a slot among the 2023 cohort of the Opportunity Funds Program. The advisors and past EducationUSA scholars provided Chukwuebuka with valuable information, mentorship, and support, which not only equipped him to navigate his way through the rigorous process of applying for admission to US universities but also instilled in him qualities that are crucial for excelling in graduate school. 

Chukwuebuka will join the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA., in the fall of 2024 to pursue doctoral studies in biochemistry with a focus on identifying novel drug targets for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and ultimately addressing cancer drug resistance.

As a member of the class of 2018 at the University of Nigeria - Nsukka, Chukwujekwu Obiora Aleke graduated in the top 1% of his class which consisted of 210 students. He graduated with First Class Honors as the second-best student in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science, selected as one of the 33 candidates out of 500 applicants for the 2020/2021 cohort. 

As an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Scholar, Chukwujekwu was exposed to educational resources and information through seminars and workshops. It  was under the guidance of amazing Advisors and Mentors which helped him successfully navigate the process of applying to schools in the U.S. Chukwujekwu applied and received a fully funded admission for a Ph.D. program at a U.S. institution after facing several rejections in previous years.

Now, Chukwujekwu is set to pursue a doctorate in the Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences (PPBS) at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University at New York, Buffalo. He will use this opportunity to designing novel therapies to prevent disease outbreaks and contribute to ensuring a sustainable infectious disease monitoring system in his home country, Nigeria, and the African Continent.

He says that one of the best things to ever happen to him in 2020 is becoming an EducationUSA OFP scholar. This opportunity has imbibed in him the ability to surmount rigor and provided him the needed mindset to thrive for the best of excellence at all times, alongside building a strong passion and commitment to give back to society. 

David Okenwa earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, graduating with first-class honors as the top student in his class. He is deeply passionate about environmental sustainability, volunteering, and giving back to the community. As an undergraduate, David spearheaded a university-wide cleanup campaign on World Environment Day 2021, mobilizing over 200 students to collect more than 400 kg of waste, of which the plastics were subsequently sent for recycling. He also served as the President of the Association of Mechanical Engineering Students, where he led over 600 students and acted as a liaison between faculty and students. 

In 2023, David took on the role of Campaign Coordinator at Mock COP, an international organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people in climate decision-making at both local and global levels. In this capacity, he supported volunteers and country focal points from over 100 countries in executing grassroots projects, delivering climate education to thousands, and creating the first Unified Youth Statement on Climate Education. David represented these volunteers at COP28 in the UAE, advocating for quality climate education policies. 

David is committed to bridging the gap between energy and sustainability through research, innovation, digitalization, and policy. This commitment led him to pursue further studies in the USA. With guidance from EducationUSA, David secured full funding to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the Energy Efficiency Center at Oregon State University. His research at the EEC will focus on helping companies use energy more efficiently, transition to clean energy seamlessly, operate more sustainably, and reduce their carbon footprint. David will begin his studies in the fall of 2024. He is profoundly grateful to EducationUSA for their invaluable support in securing a fully funded PhD position in an excellent lab.

Despite graduating high school with an almost perfect GPA, Elizabeth faced significant challenges in attending college due to her father's battle with arthritis and an extremely low-income background. As the first in her family to attend university, these obstacles seemed insurmountable, but Elizabeth’s determination and resilience drove her to persevere.

In 2016, Elizabeth was accepted into the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP), but she did not pursue her undergraduate studies in the U.S. at that time due to other challenges. Three years later, she secured a full scholarship to Ashesi University in Ghana. However, she remained connected with her EducationUSA advisors and community, as her goal was to study in the U.S. for her master’s degree.

In 2023, after graduating, Elizabeth’s interest in international development led her to reach out to her EducationUSA advisor for guidance on graduate school. With her continued perseverance, she successfully applied and was accepted into top institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, and Sciences Po. Ultimately, she chose to pursue a Master of Global Affairs with a concentration in Sustainable Development at the University of Notre Dame.

Esther Mosaku is someone who has grown and learned to always work hard. Imbued with the understanding that hard work is essential not only to afford basic needs but also to achieve personal growth, Esther has endeavored to maintain high academic standards and step out of her comfort zone to seize valuable opportunities. From hosting social and intellectual programs as the Head Girl, to working as a public speaker and chief editor for the school’s media team.

Following her secondary school graduation, Esther decided to take a gap year to not only discover herself but also to give back to the community in the best way possible for her. Her first eye-opener was participating in Technovation Girls, a non-governmental organization aimed at developing female problem solvers. Through her involvement in her first passion project, Esther realized the opportunities and privileges that came with studying in the US and subsequently discovered her passion for using technology to develop solutions to community problems. Subsequently, Esther enthusiastically worked on two other projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere and minimizing waste products in the environment. Recognizing the value of giving back, Esther held free weekend mathematics classes for students from a neighboring public school.

In 2023, Esther applied for the Opportunity Funds Program at EducationUSA in Lagos State and was fortunate to be selected as part of the cohort. Through this program, Esther discovered a unique community that became like family, offering her immense support. From significant financial assistance to access to outstanding alumni, she successfully navigated the US application process. In the fall of 2024, Esther will continue her education at the University of Puget Sound on a full merit scholarship after being selected as a Matelich Scholar, an award given to only two students from the incoming class. Esther is ecstatic about the next four years to come.

Goodnews obtained his Bachelor's degree in Plant Science and Biotechnology from the University  of Port Harcourt, Nigeria where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and top of his class in 2020.  On the strength of his previous research engagements and the mind shifting sessions during the  Education USA bootcamp which held in May 2023, he would resume as a PhD student and  Teaching Assistant at Oklahoma State University in Fall 2024. His research as an evolutionary  biologist will cut across understanding convergent evolution of traits and how this relates to  disparities in species richness across habitats and scales using bioinformatics and phylogenetic  methods, exploring the evolution and diversification of tropical plants using genomic and  morphological data as well as expanding our understanding of the tropical niche hypothesis. 

Previously, he worked as a Graduate Assistant (NYSC) at Delta State University, Abraka. Where  he mentored a number of undergraduate biology Students. He also served in different capacities  on the General Executive Council Board for the Nigerian Christian Corpers' Fellowship (NCCF)  and Christ Ambassadors Students Outreach. 

He was selected as one of only 26 candidates out of 600 applicants for the EducationUSA  Opportunity Funds Program for the 2023/2024 cohort. This program provided him with valuable  mentorship on securing a fully funded scholarship in the U.S after facing multiple rejections in  previous years. He extends his heartfelt gratitude to the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds  Program, Lagos, for the invaluable support he received toward achieving his graduate school  goals. From top-notch mentorships to an amazing network of peers, and generous financial  support, EducationUSA was truly fundamental to his graduate school application success. 

Goodnews’ determination, resilience and dedication makes him a role model for those with a  passion for scientific exploration and a commitment to academic success. He’s ever willing to  mentor upcoming students in this regard.