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.

When I first entered St. Paul Academy Jos, I used to hear so many inspiring success stories of the alumni. And as a naive fresher, I was dazzled and aspired to be successful too.

My family was not financially buoyant and so, funding my education and school materials was a real challenge. I had amazing teachers who beyond teaching, cared about the interests and welfare of their students. With their support and encouragement, I was able to not only scale through but also become a top achieving student.

Over time, I began to participate in interschool competitions. These gave me the opportunity of exposure, enabling me to challenge myself beyond school academics.

WASSCE has always been an important examination. And I had the WAEC "dream". I decided to do my best and leave the rest to God. When the result were released, I got a call from my school. I got 9As! I screamed! I almost couldn't believe it! This was the beginning of my college journey, beginning with being a part of Education USA cohort.

Personally, I love writing but I discovered that college personal essay writing was difficult for me. And it really gave me a hard time. My application process was a rollercoaster ride. With initial release of college decisions, my courage started to dwindle. Your guess is as good as mine.

However, Aunty Shade was there to motivate and CORRECT me. Subsequently, she nominated me to the Second Chance Program. After series of applications, working with the SC team and a dash of hope, I finally secured admission and full scholarship to attend Furman University. It was literally nothing short of a miracle. Dreams do come true!

I'm grateful to my family and my teachers for their immense support. I want to use this medium to sincerely appreciate Aunty Shade and the entire Education USA advisors for their dedication, commitment and continued support. May God richly bless you all. And thank you to all who believed in me.

Finally, I  thank God Almighty who made it all possible. I'm indeed grateful for His grace and mercy over me.

Chiamaka Ezeh obtained her Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, graduated with a First Class and doubled as the best graduating student in her cohort, in the 2019/2020 academic year. During her undergraduate studies, she displayed an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and leadership, frequently conducting tutorials for peers and serving in various capacities, especially in her final year. 

Her dedication extends beyond academics. Chiamaka has shown a profound commitment to advancing healthcare, especially in rural communities. As a key volunteer at Dr. Modesty Care Foundation, she contributed in organizing health outreaches and disseminating vital health information to underserved populations. This zeal continued during her mandatory NYSC year, where she was the Lead for the Health Corner of the Editorial Team and Community Development Service tasked with curating essential health articles for publications in the monthly newsletters. 

Interested in advancing her knowledge in Molecular Biology and Genetics, she first, applied and became a 2022 recipient of the Opportunity Funds Program of the EducationUSA Lagos Nigeria. During her time with EducationUSA Lagos Nigeria, she underwent a transformative journey that prepared her for graduate school. Their invaluable advice, paired with dedicated mentorship, molded her into a more enlightened and goal-oriented individual. They didn't just provide her with answers but also instilled in her the skills and stamina essential for higher academia. “It is clear that they are not just information providers; they are architects who lay the foundation for aspiring scholars like me”, in her words. Truly, they serve as beacons of knowledge and light and shapers of destiny. With no prior experience or knowledge and with the ever-supportive advisors and mentorship from the past EducationUSA scholars, on her maiden attempt, applied and got accepted into the prestigious Cornell University. 

Chiamaka Ezeh is currently a Ph.D. student in the Genetics, Genomics, and Development graduate field at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University. She is interested in exploring the complexities of gene regulation and its role in the onset and progression of life-threatening diseases such as cancer. By uncovering the molecular mechanisms governing gene expression, she aims to pinpoint novel therapeutic targets and contribute to the development of innovative treatments for cancer patients.

Chibueze graduated from International School, University of Lagos in 2021 where he served as the Head Boy and co-president of the Social Committee amongst other leadership roles. He was also the valedictorian of his graduating class and finished with the best WASSCE result in his set. After graduation, Chibueze decided to take a gap year where he spent most of his time shadowing several medical practitioners as well as interning at a medical facility in Surulere, Lagos. He also volunteered at several tutorial centers where he prepared students who were looking to sit for upcoming external examinations as well as held several seminars aimed at encouraging academic excellence. In June 2022, Chibueze was selected as an EducationUSA OFP scholar, and by December 2022 he got accepted to Northwestern University where he is presently double majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science on the premed pathway. He was also named an Integrated Science Program (ISP) scholar and was selected as one of thirty students admitted into the highly competitive Northwestern University’s Bioscientist Research Program where he is presently researching neural stem cells and regenerative medicine. He is passionate about implementing modern-day technology in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative ailments and spends his free time playing Soccer and Chess.

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.

My unschooled parent suffered financially to support the family and provide my siblings and i with academic resources. While caring for my sick father, my mother faced a downturn in the family business and her health. This incident impacted our finances because the family business collapsed, and the entire family relocated from Abuja back to Abia State in February 2014.

The unflinching desire to remain steadfast in pursuing her academic goals spurred a resilient spirit in her. During her undergraduate program at the University of Abuja, she got a studentship job in the Agricultural Economics department as a data entry clerk under the University of Abuja Student Employment Scheme (SES). She was also a beneficiary of the Federal Ministry of Education Scholarship and the Emeka Foundation Scholarship. With these offers, the cost of earning a degree, including tuition, accommodations, and feeding, was handled.

In the quest to achieve a ground-breaking academic and professional feat, she broadened her professional, leadership and research skills. In 2017, she served as the President of approximately 400 fellowship Christian members at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja. Through this, she had the good fortune of lead a team of excos, organising tutorials and mentoring undergraduate students. She also carried out several research projects and had four publications in reputable academic Journals.

Despite the odds of being a first-generation student with uneducated parents, she has surpassed her small-town boundaries in the UmunnekwuAgbo community of Abia State in creating her world.  She rose from being a first-generation college student to pioneering the first-class move in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja.

Christiana got admitted into three different institutions with a fully funded offer in the United States. This includes a tuition waiver and stipends. However, she opted for the University of Florida to further an M.Sc in Agricultural Economics. Her career objective is to become an extraordinary scholar capable of conducting world-class research. She aims to implement the economist view of resource allocation for food production by developing management and economic evaluation strategies.

This feat was challenging, as much work was put into play. However, her parent and EduccationUSA Adviser made it possible to achieve this. she would love to express her profound gratitude to EducationUSA Advising Center (Abuja) for this mind-blowing privilege of being considered for the opportunity Fund Program, making it possible to pursue postgraduate studies in the United States of America. The enormous support and advice from Aunty Shade and Mrs Malate during the application process were overwhelming. The EducationUSA community was highly encouraging and lively. The opportunity of integrating with students from various institutions served as a real game changer. In Conclusion, "In the process of creating your world, lots of obstacles will be experienced, but the idea of impossibility should never exist". A particular phrase that lit up her day even amid a storm is "I'm still in the process of creating my world". Yes, this word kept me moving, and today, her dreams of becoming a successful individual are gradually unfolding into reality.

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. 

Cynthia was the best-graduating student in 2022 with a CGPA of 6.9 out of 7.0 from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan. She had distinctions in five out of the six departments in the Faculty of Pharmacy and bagged 18 awards upon graduation, including awards for the best-graduating student in Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, the best graduating student in Clinical Pharmacy, the best student in Dispensing, the Renowned Chemist Prize, etc. She is the national 3rd place winner of the 3rd edition of the Shalina Young Talents Award Competition, a quest for the best pharmacy brains in Nigeria. She was a nominee for the Award of Academic Excellence, the Fifteen Most Outstanding Persons Award (FOPA), Junior Chamber International (JCI), University of Ibadan Chapter in 2021. She was also a beneficiary of the Jim-Ovia Scholarship for two years of her undergraduate studies. 

Cynthia enjoys helping students learn their coursework by organizing tutorials with the mindset of academic excellence. She shows students practical directions to experience ease even in the most technical courses. She has positively influenced several students in secondary schools and universities across Nigeria to shift gears in their academics by sharing study habits and adaptive lifestyles for success in senior secondary schools and undergraduate studies. She believes strongly in the irreplaceable help of God to succeed in academics as with every other important life endeavour.  

Cynthia is a public speaker and a winner of numerous debate competitions, including being the overall best speaker at the Chief Lanre Bello Interfaculty Debate Competition, Junior Chamber International (JCI), University of Ibadan Chapter in 2018. Cynthia was the Face of Pharmacy and the Miss Pharmacy Beauty Pageant winner in 2017. She has actively participated in several free medical outreaches to rural communities in South-West Nigeria and a  few communities in Ghana from 2015 to 2023. She is keen on scientific research, with Pharmaceutics as her mainstay.

Cynthia is a 2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Scholar. Through the robust boot camp in 2022, access to EducationUSA resources,  and the guidance of EducationUSA advisers and past OFP scholars, she learned how to research schools that would be a good fit for her program, how to get funding, create an academic resume, draft a well-composed statement of purpose, and other helpful guides to submit a strong application. She got into a fully funded Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutics at the University of Iowa at her first attempt in August 2023. She was also awarded the Keith Guillory Pharmaceutics Graduate Fellowship. 

Daniel comes from a family of five, the second child of three siblings, he fits perfectly well in the middle of his elder brother and sister. He loved his home;  The bonds created at home, the lessons he learnt, the promises  he made, the mindset built, transformed him into a boy who knew his priorities, strengths, weaknesses, and, above all, his goal. His home was his first building point; it was where he learnt (and still learn) that, no matter what he thought, he was important, helpful, hopeful and ready for the world.  Born to a cleargy father a missionary and mum  who is a teacher, Daniel was able to build some strong qualities early in life from his humble backround.

When he started secondary school at Government Science Secondary School Tungan Maje, Abuja at the age of 12, short, smart, he was ready to take on the challenge of life. Earlier that year, he had participated in the 9th annual F. C. T. Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientists (JETS) Competition, graduated as one of the best students in my Junior Secondary School, made satisfactory grades in my Basic Education Certificate Examination, and, as an extra precaution, learnt all SS1 Mathematics. I had participated actively in classes, made friends with most of my teachers, taught a few of my classmates, and learnt to enjoy studying - I was ready. I was also excited with the prospect of learning, since that was the 'class' which I belonged to, science subjects. I resolved to do my best: a feat which was not difficult in later years since my hobby was reading.

My learning did not only entail studying. School gave me opportunities to build myself up in other areas: time management, responsibility, and discipline. In Primary School, I was time-keeper; In JSS2-3, class-captain; In SS2, Essay and Spelling Bee Club President, Mathematics and I. C. T. Club Deputy President, and Mathematics and I. C. T. Prefect. I had the opportunity to organize math lessons for junior students about to write exams, correct essays of other students, and create a balance between academics and leadership to push me forward.

He was encouraged a lot by the results of hard work, trophies and medals from competitions, straight A's, smiles from the faces of teachers and students, hand shakes from my dad, leadership appointments, etc. He wished it was not a dream; still feel the dimples on my face deepen as I write the first line of code for my Python project, he still amazed that he could be worthy of the Education USA Opportunity Funds Program's choice. Daniel will always remember the highest level of happiness twice in his lifetime. The first time was in February 2021 when he saw his outsatnding WAEC results, and the second was in March 2023. He got a call from the president of the New Seasons Youth Program: He was offered a fully funded schorlarship to study computer science  at Grambling State University Louisiana. 

I am a graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria where I studied Cell Biology and Genetics and graduated with first-class honours (top 3% of my class). EducationUSA Lagos has been an invaluable resource on my graduate school journey. The first time I visited EducationUSA Lagos, I was overwhelmed with questions and uncertainties about studying abroad. However, advisors at EducationUSA Lagos, I can boldly say that My advisors through providing tailored guidance on universities, scholarships, and the application process made the grad school application journey a beautiful experience. They offered hands-on support in preparing my application materials, and writing my statement, interview preparation and financial support were a great relief for me. The informative workshops and webinars organized for me and my cohorts were insightful in exploring different aspects of studying in the United States. They actively connected students from diverse backgrounds with scholarship options, making every resource needed for my grad school preparation more accessible.

Thanks to their unwavering support, I got admitted with a fully funded Ph.D. offer into the University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska USA where I would research cancer diagnostics and therapeutics in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB). EducationUSA Lagos has played a pivotal role in my educational journey, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible assistance I have received from Mrs U, Mr G and Mrs J and to the EducationUSA body. Thank you for always showing us the many possibilities and to dare to take those bold steps.

Where I come from, a diploma certificate is good enough, and a first degree is incredible – anything more was considered a waste of time & resources. I studied computer science and graduated with a first-class grade from Adamawa state polytechnic, and I proceeded to the university. At the university, I won several awards as an undergraduate, including the Etisalat Nation award for academic excellence and the university governing board merit award; I also represented the university in the 2019 Intercollegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) and served as an Academic counsellor in the computer science students fellowship. However, Little did I know that a Nigerian student could study internationally and reach the zenith of their academic carrier.

My incredible journey started when I met EDUSA. I realised we could achieve the impossible if we only dared to dream. I got acquainted with many high achievers, and I was inspired by mentors/advisers who believed and made me believe in myself. But being first in a family of four children, I knew that my family could not afford the cost of studying abroad. I attended a community college, planned to start a business after my undergraduate and, of course, get married - ‘bigger’ things I had thought were meant for those born with a silver spoon. However, my contact with EDUSA changed my perspective and gave me the courage to dream beyond my limitations. I learnt about the academic opportunities that were available in STEM and how I could go through the application process. EDUSA also provided financial support and resources that enabled a smooth ride through the challenging process. Friends called to inform me about opportunities for which I was a good fit and reminded me to submit my application before the datelines.

 I am excited to pursue a PhD in computer science with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence at Kent State University. I plan to develop AI mobile software for diagnosing onchocerciasis - a leading cause of blindness that affects over 18 million people globally.

I thank the Lord for the opportunity, and I appreciate the EDUSA family for every encouragement, mentorship and support; today, I dare to dream, for vision is hope, and the hope of millions relies on the success of my dream.

Duaka Nonso, had great dreams that created andd inspired the drive for excellence amid an imperfect world. His Dad's finances were suffering, and he was laden with so much responsibility, which emerged in his feat of frustration as an adult and that of his father. Easily angered with his eyes flushing a deep shade of red, He lost his relationship with him. But, every blow from his harsh words only sculpted me into a better person as he learned forgiveness and understanding. The challenge has only made me resilient, let go of bad memories, and hold on to the enduring moments I cherished.

I wrote and published a short non-fiction book- I tried filling the void -about taking care of your mental health as a Nigerian teenager. I also got a bronze award for my entry to the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition. I also had my poem displayed on- I GET TALENT- WAP TV.

I was the Chapel prefect and FCS President for 2021. I graduated as the overall best student in Chemistry, CRS, and Food and Nutrition for 2021 and as the best student in spirituality. I finished with a 3.94/4.0 GPA and 7As and 2Bs in my WASSCE exam. I got the opportunity to intern with the SREENIVASAN Lab at NYUAD. I mastered my cake-design skills, started a small business, and started teaching it to others. I volunteered as a medical scribe for Faith Alive Foundations and Hospital.