Joseph Eniafe

Obafemi Awolowo University

Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, PhD Microbiology

Joseph Eniafe is a 2019 Opportunity Funds Scholar. Joseph is the first in his family to graduate university. Despite the hardship he faced growing up, he graduated as the overall best student in the faculty of sciences at Obafemi Awolowo University with a degree in Microbiology. Through the support of the program he received several offers to pursue his graduate studies, including a $26,500 (~10 Million Naira)/year research assistantship position to pursue his PhD at Louisiana State Uni Health Science Center LSU Health Shreveport .

According to Joseph, “If I was asked two years ago how I hope to secure a scholarship for my post-graduate studies abroad, I really wouldn't have been able to come up with a definite, workable plan. With EducationUSA, I did not only learn about the great opportunities that abound to secure a scholarship in the US; I was also guided step by step throughout the application process. Really, I could not have done this on my own!”

Joshua Gbodi

Federal Government Academy Suleja

Vassar College

Joshua Gbodi is a 2019 Opportunity Funds scholar who received over $78,000 (Over 28 Million Naira)/year scholarship to attend  Vassar College. Joshua is a First-Generation student who graduated from Federal Government College Suleja with 7A1s and 2Bs in WAEC. He represented his school and won several prizes in competitions such as NNPC, PTDF, and SPAK Science competitions. Joshua is also an artist. He plays the guitar and draws. Joshua hopes to study Biochemistry at Vassar and plans to use his knowledge to improve the health sector in Nigeria.

Joy Amajioyi started with obtaining an OND from Yaba College of Technology. She then went on to obtain her Bachelors and Masters and graduated with First Class Honours from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). She was the best graduating student in her department of crop, soil and pest management in 2015. She did her NYSC with the Department of Biology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt and also interned with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). In August 2017, she was selected as an Opportunity Funds Scholar. After working diligently on her applications, she got admitted to South Dakota State University for a fully funded MSc-PhD track in Plant Science where she is working as a Graduate Research Assistant. She is passionate about research for development (R4D) which supports the discovery and implementation of new ideas for reducing poverty, ensuring food security and improving lives around the world.

Juliet Onyekachi Okpasuo graduated with First-Class Honors and as the Best Graduating Student in Zoology and Environmental Biology in 2014 and a Master’s degree in Parasitology and Public Health from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. As a graduate assistant, she had five publications in international articles and has attended several academic conferences. Juliet was selected as an Opportunity Funds Scholar, and working with EducationUSA Lagos, she received admissions to three fully funded PhD programs in the U.S. Juliet is currently studying Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics at the University of Missouri at Columbia. Sharing her experience, she stated, “EducationUSA taught me to be determined, committed, and unrelenting in the pursuit of my goals”.

Kenneth Ekpetere

University of Abuja 

University of Kansas, MSc-PhD Geography

Kenneth Ekpetere is a 2019 Opportunity Funds Scholar. From humble backgrounds, Kenneth was determined to attend university, so he worked to pay his way through school. He took advantage of every opportunity in school and not only graduated with a First Class in Geography but was also the overall best graduating student at the University of Abuja in 2016. As a recent graduate, Kenneth already had seven publications to his name, several in international journals. Through the program, Kenneth secured four fully-funded offers to pursue his graduate studies in the United States. Today, Kenneth is not only the first in his family to graduate university; he is pursuing his Ms-PhD in Geography at the University of Kansas with a graduate assistantship of over $35,000 per annum

Lucky Yerimah

University of Benin

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, PhD Chemical Engineering

Lucky Eshemomoh Yerimah is a 2019 Opportunity Funds Scholar. Through EducationUSA, Lucky received an assistantship of over $84,000 (33 Million Naira)/ year to pursue his Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Lucky is a Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Benin. In addition to graduating as one of the top in his class, he was a High school science mentor who counseled over 200 students in 3 different high schools in Edo State. He is a published author and recipient of the Chevron Agbami Medical and Engineering Professional, MTN Foundation Science and Technology, and Total OML National Merit Scholarship.

Today, Lucky is majoring in Energy and Sustainability, focusing on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration, and Process Engineering.

Maxwell graduated with a Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) from the University of Benin and then applied for the Opportunity Funds Program for a second time having been unsuccessful for his undergraduate program. In spring 2019, he was admitted to the University of Arizona as a graduate research assistant for a Master of Science in Plant Pathology/Phytopathology and obtained his MSc from there. An aspiring plant pathology researcher and Ph.D. student, Maxwell Chibuogwu currently works as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Maxwell hopes to use the information and skills he acquires to improve the agricultural industry in Nigeria and Africa as a whole; furthermore, he is not only a member of several groups and clubs, but he is also a leader in some of them, too.

Mesoma Okolocha

Federal Government Academy, Suleja

Washington and Lee University

Mesoma Okolocha is a 2019 Opportunity Funds scholar. Through the Opportunity Funds Program, he was able to secure a scholarship of over $75,000(30 Million Naira)/year to attend the prestigious Washington and Lee University. Mesoma attended Federal Government Academy, Suleja. While at FGA, he served as the JET Club Vice President and was involved in various scientific experiments and presentations for the school. He graduated as the third best student having all distinctions in the WAEC Examinations.

He did not just excel in academics; he was actively involved in sports. He showcased his skills as captain of the Volleyball and Table Tennis teams.

Michael Okeke

Nnamdi Azikwe University

University of Kentucky, PhD Chemistry

Michael Okeke is a 2019 Opportunity Funds Program scholar. He is a First Class graduate of Pure and Industrial Chemistry from Nnamdi Azikwe University where he was the best graduating student in the department in 2016. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Kentucky.

Michael was born and brought up in Kaduna. He lost both parents at a tender age. His guardian supported him throughtout his university study. He encountered several challenegs but those did not deter him from graduating with a 4.6/5.0 CGPA and being the best graduating student in his department.

Michael Olubode

University of Ibadan

University of Oklahoma, MSc Petroleum Engineering

Michael Olubode is a 2019 Opportunity Funds scholar. Through the program, Michael secured an assistantship worth over $35,00 to pursue his Masters in Petroleum Engineering. Michael is a First-class graduate of University of Ibadan. His dad is decease and his mum, a fish trader had to cater for the family from her fish business. Michael education was funded by the Abayomi Oluwatosin Jiboku and Grace Leadership Foundations, despite the many uncertainties, Michael graduated at the top of his class and received the Dean’s Honour award. Currently, Michael is pursuing a double masters in Petroleum Engineering and Data science and Analytics.

Mubarak Idoko

Baptist High School Jos

Dartmouth College

Mubarak Idoko is  a 2019 Opportunity Funds Scholar. Through the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program, Mubarak secured the prestigious Kings Scholarship worth over $86,000 (33 Million Naira)/year at Dartmouth.

Mubarak is a proud alumnus of Baptist High School, Jos where he maintained an impeccable academic record and served as the Study Prefect. He represented his school in the PTDF Quiz, the Cowbellpedia Mathematics, and SPAK Science Competitions. He was also a recipient of the 744 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award and led a team that topped the state with a renewable energy science project. Mubarak was selected to attend Yale Young African Scholars and YYGS summer programs and graduated with the best WASSCE result in his school.

Beyond these, Mubarak played leisure-time basketball, was a member of the JETS, Literary and Debate, and Junior Achievement Clubs in his school. He played an active role in performing arts, being a member of the drama club, and also featured as a rapper on the High School Gospel Melody group. He pioneered a tutoring organization in his school that was highly effective in helping students with academic difficulties. He is also a budding entrepreneur who runs his own handmade card business and co-founded HackNG, a network of Nigerian youngsters passionate about national development.

Nnamdi Modestus Ofodum

Anambra State University

Clarkson University- PhD Chemistry

Life is full of opportunities! One of such opportunities is to secure admission into American Universities for a doctorate degree with a bachelor’s degree from a Nigerian university. To achieve this, one needs the proper guidance and firsthand information on the nitty-gritty of the entire application process. I was a novice and was lost with the cascades of information online. When I thought all hope was lost, EducationUSA came through for me.

I am a First Class graduate of Pure and Industrial Chemistry from Anambra State University. During my undergraduate study, I had this dream of furthering my studies in the United States. I knew nothing about the application process and was incapable of financing my education in the United States. Nevertheless, I never stopped dreaming.

The life-changing moment came for me when a Professor in my department (Prof. Sylvia Okonkwo) told about EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program and encouraged me to apply. I did and was fortunate to be selected into the program. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, I took my first step towards graduate study in the United States with EducationUSA and impossibility became possible. As a member of this awesome program, it offered me a limitless opportunity, gave me insights, prepared and helped me make informed decisions. In addition, the up-front costs of the whole application process were taken care of by EducationUSA. Unbelievable!

Applying to US Schools has broadened my horizon and forever changed my perception of possibilities. It was a rigorous and enervating exercise; from preparing and writing standardized tests, Statement of Purpose, obtaining Letters of Recommendation, Submitting my application and waiting for decisions. The ever-supportive and vibrant team of EducationUSA Advisers consisting of Auntie Shade, Ms. Malate and Ms. Kathryn made it easier for me. I was truly amazed at their willingness to assist me with all the resources and materials that I needed to put in strong applications. I was also opportune to meet smart and amazing graduates who were eager to exchange ideas and help each other succeed. Truly, EducationUSA is a wonderful Family!

Finally, the decisions of the Admission Committees of the different schools I apply to came through and I was admitted into five schools each with full-funding and Teaching Assistantships. Among the

schools, I chose Clarkson University Potsdam, New York where I will be studying for a doctorate degree in Chemistry. Hard work pays!

My little time with EducationUSA has taught me that impossibility is nothing. I lack the words to express my heartfelt gratitude to the advisers for their untiring effort, support and encouragement, you guys are the best. Many thanks to Kenneth who made this journey fun and sweet for me. Special thanks to Prof. Sylvia Okonkwo for her moral support. May God bless you all.

Obidi Onyeka graduated with First Class Honors from Federal University Otuoke, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry. As a student, he worked as an Undergraduate Researcher with the Environmental Remediation Research Group. He participated in research aimed at determining the possible toxic effects of consuming crops grown on bioremediated soil samples. He also interned with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC Food and Drug as a Safety Intern. Upon graduation, he did his National Youth Service as a Research Assistant with the Enugu State College of Education (Technical). In 2016, he was selected to join the EducationUSA Lagos Opportunity Funds Program. With the guidance and resources provided by the program, he got admitted with full funding into the University of Utah to obtain his Ph.D. He plans to continue research in toxicology, cancer, and biomedical research!

Olajide Bamidele is a first-class graduate of Chemical Engineering and top of his class in 2016 at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He was a recipient of the MTN Foundation, Egbe Omo Oduduwa, Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science and Education scholarships to mention a few, during his undergraduate study. Olajide is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina, Columbia on a scholarship worth about $35,000 annually. He is also a Presidential Fellow at his school. Just like many people, he erroneously believed good grades were just enough to secure mouth-watering, fully funded admissions but this never worked until he became a member of EducationUSA. The exposure to first-hand information and guidance of his Advisors at EducationUSA Lagos yielded three amazing fully funded scholarship offers from universities in the United States, out of which he chose one. His experience at EducationUSA made him know that opportunities abound if we position ourselves to harness them.

Paschaline Ogbu

Ebonyi State University

University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Ph.D. in Biochemistry

Paschaline Chinemerem Ogbu is a 2019 Opportunity Funds Scholar. Through EducationUSA, Paschaline is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a fully funded assistantship worth $24,000(9.6 Million Naira) per annum.

Paschaline is a First Class graduate of Ebonyi State University. She was selected to represent Nigeria in the World School Debate Championship in Dundee, Scotland, when she was a student at Holy Rosary College Okposi. Despite not being in Abuja, Paschaline successfully went through the program from Kaduna and secured offers for her graduate studies in the United States.