Karl Okpala earliest memory of me telling his friends and family that he wanted to school in the US was when he was nine years old. At that moment, it felt like a dream or an impossible feat because he knew little about the United States or how to achieve it. All he knew was to work hard and put his whole heart into his dream to fulfill it. Many years later, that dream is now a reality. 

He achieved so many things during his time in high school. Got the third position in Abuja in the Cowbellpedia Mathematics Quiz Competition, and got a 50% scholarship from his high school because of his performance in the competition. He graduated as the senior prefect with 6As and 3Bs in the WASSCE, the best result in the school that year. He also held a lot of leadership positions in high school. During the gap between my graduation and my admission to Minerva University, he was accepted into the Opportunity  Funds program. During this time the mentorship of the advisers paid off through the application process. Today my dreams have become a reality.I was accepted into Minerva University on a full scholarship. Dare to dream!

Charles holds a first-class bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Biotechnology from the University of Calabar, Calabar, where he also finished as the best-graduating student in the Biological Sciences Faculty in 2019. Upon graduating, he dedicated himself to carrying out research and contributing to scientific research papers, most of which focused primarily on the molecular genetics basis of stress adaptation in biological systems. The turning point in his career came with his acceptance into the 2022 cohort of the EducationUSA scholars program. For Charles, the journey was a surreal one. He attributes his success to the EducationUSA mentors; “There was nothing more rewarding than having them decomplicate the entire application and admission process”. The unmatched guidance was pivotal in securing multiple fully-funded offers from US schools. He joined the Genetics Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Fall of 2022, where his research now focuses on the functional genetic mapping of the human genome and developing novel genomic approaches to understanding gene regulation in living systems. In his words, “I remember looking through the EducationUSA webpage page prior to starting my school applications and telling myself If they can do it, so can I”. “Fast forward to a year later, and all I can say is If I can do it, so can you”. 

Chukwu Chibuike Soka is dedicated and committed to his goals even in the face of daunting circumstances.  Growing up in Jikwoyi a community densely populated settlement in the outskirts of Abuja and characterized to be more of a ghetto. With all the negative social vices, Chukwu was self-motivated to convert the negatives to pull his family from ghetto life.  Losing his dad at a very tender age and mum having to raise her family selling "Akara", served as an inspiration for Chukwu to work extra hard to support his family. Chukwu continued to inspire himself to top his class academically, this has led to his many achievements. Besides his academic achievements, his strengths and attributes are remarkable. He has served in leadership positions at various levels during his undergraduate studies and even outside the academic scene.

Chukwu can’t help but say “Thank God for OFP.” At some point after his undergraduate education, he felt like giving up on his dream to pursue graduate studies due to insufficient funds. But the OFP came to his rescue and brought him into a community of like minds to be mentored and supported. Now his dream of graduate studies has found life and enthusiasm once again. No doubt, he is forever indebted to the OFP family.  Chukwu graduated as the 3^rd best-graduating student from the Department of Chemistry, University of Jos in 2019 with a first-class CGPA of 4.68/5.00.

His drive toward graduate school was what prompted the OFP selection committee to nominate him. He considers himself very privileged to have been chosen given that the OFP acceptance rate is even less than Harvard University’s acceptance rate.  Chukwu knows he is destined for greatness and remains grateful for the successes recorded so far.  However,  his gaze is focused on graduate studies after which he will be better prepared to impact his generation, touch lives, and contribute to making the world a much better place. He got a fully funded offer for a Ph.D. program at the University of Kentucky. 

I always say I grew up fast. I had to. When life deals you a painful blow at a tender age, then there is no other option. As a child, I enjoyed the prerogative of having loving and supportive parents. My parents were education enthusiasts and always provided me with quality education. However, at age 13, I experienced the excruciating demise of my parents due to some health challenges. I became orphaned and was denied a lot of opportunities and privileges due to their absence. I was met with immense financial lack and needed to depend solely on the assistance and benevolence my family and others could offer for subsistence.

In spite of all these vicissitudes, I remained resolute and tenacious. I made a decision to excel in life regardless of what comes my way and to improve the quality of life of people with various health conditions and maladies through research and innovation. This informed my decision to pursue a degree in Biochemistry with a specific interest in the medical aspect of it. I completed my undergraduate studies as the best female student in my department while clinching the prestigious first-class degree and was absorbed as a Graduate Assistant at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka after my service year. My undergraduate project aimed at finding therapeutics for malaria earned publication in the Pharmaceutical Biology Journal. In addition, the findings of most of the research I have done so far in the area of drug development have also been published in reputable journals.

Diligence, determination, and grit have always been the driving force in pursuing my passion for academics and research geared toward disease amelioration.  This is corroborated by the first-class degree I clinched in Biochemistry and my subsequent absorbance as a graduate assistant in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the course of my academic journey and work, I have broadened my teaching and research expertise by tutoring and mentoring undergraduate students, carrying out a good number of research projects, attending workshops, presenting most of my research findings at academic conferences, and publishing the same in reputable journals. I firmly believe that these accomplishments so far gave me a competitive edge in being selected for the Education USA Opportunity Funds Program which has truly been a worthwhile experience I will always be grateful for.

Having maximized the privileges of being an OFP scholar and diligently harnessing the wealth of advice gathered, I can now proudly say that I secured graduate teaching assistantship offers in the Chemistry programs of three prestigious schools; I accepted the offer from Purdue University.

Chika is an incoming graduate assistant at MIT. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and he started his Graduate studies at MIT in Fall 2022. His research at MIT seeks to discover new materials and uncover hidden trends in material data using artificial intelligence algorithms like natural language processing, k-means clustering, deep learning, random forests, etc. 

Previously, he worked as a CAD engineer at LIEPNES, UNN, where he was responsible for developing complex geometries for 3D printing parts for clients. The primary tools used were Autodesk Inventor and PrusaSlicer. Before this, he was a senior researcher at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, wherefore he collaborated with distinguished energy researchers from the UK, China, India, and Mexico. It resulted in the publishing of over 30 research articles in internationally recognised journals and conferences on green energy technologies. The tools include Ansys, COMSOL Multiphysics, Autodesk Inventor, Excel, and MATLAB.

During his free time, He fantasizes about next-generation AI that will be as intelligent as humans!

Chisom Maureen Nwoye is a First Generation University Graduate who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, Nigeria, where she graduated amongst the top in her large class. Her story is that of persistence and determination, in which she meandered over several oppositions and constraints, especially those presented by her background, to achieve her dreams, finally emerging as the first university graduate produced in her family.

Chisom, while in school, played active roles in different volunteer and leadership opportunities aimed at empowering students as an undergraduate. She was appointed as a student trainer/facilitator by The Center of Entrepreneurship Development (CED MOUAU) under the department of Entrepreneurship studies to train her fellow undergraduates in the designated vocational skill she was gifted. She continued this engagement passionately over the years, even after she graduated from the school and has successfully trained and empowered about 2000 students from over ten different departments. She identifies with the vision of this scheme. She works closely with the coordinator to ensure that more graduates are produced in the university who are holistically trained and empowered to thrive in the marketplace.

Subsequently, her success and impact at the CED earned her a recommendation from her training supervisor/coordinator to become the first appointed ‘Student Speaker’ in the Department of Psychology and Counselling, to speak during Career Day events organized by the ‘Practicum Students” of the department in different secondary schools in the southeastern part of Nigeria. This opportunity allows her to speak amongst several Career Professionals and Professors. Chisom explains that this exact opportunity which she calls a ‘divine orchestration’, grants her the privilege to interact directly and encourage teenagers in secondary schools, especially the school leavers, to pursue their dreams relentlessly. She uses this platform to emphasize the importance of acquiring higher education and how to prepare to succeed in the university environment making clear pointers to healthy networks and financial sustainability. It is through this engagement that she has been allowed to impact over 1500 teenage students that she conceived and birthed the vision of “Project Sourceteen”, which aims to empower over 20,000 school leavers to become ‘College Ready.’

Additionally, due to her innate passion for becoming a voice in health and medical development, Chisom has also found time to engage in free medical outreaches and health campaigns for underserved communities. She has joined several Non-Governmental Organizations such as FELEM.org (a health and evangelical scheme), Project Pink Blue (a cancer awareness and sensitization scheme), NIFES MOUAU (a students’ evangelical mission where she also held a position for two years as a Publicity Secretary) and many more in the past, actively volunteering during their occasional events. Chisom has also undertaken several internship positions in different clinical and research laboratories to develop her skills and hands-on research competence in her field. She asserts that her first internship opportunity through SIWES she completed in a medical lab, was her ‘research bedrock’, which provided her with a platform to learn what she has always loved, granting her the exposure and engagements that helped her establish her desires to pursue her education further in advanced translational biomedical research.

Consequently, Chisom is a 2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program Scholar. She was amongst the 40 successful applicants selected out of the over 2000 pool of applicants. Chisom applied and secured a fully funded PhD program in Interdisciplinary Bioscience Research with a focus on Molecular Biology; she is interested in understanding & employing the advances in molecular biology to comprehend the molecular pathway of human disease pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapeutics. She would love to apply her knowledge & skills in genomic medicine to facilitate disease treatment and novel drug discoveries in an intensive research environment, as she has a keen interest & desire to bridge the health divide & inequities using her findings and solutions.

Chukwuma Ezenwata earned his Bachelor's degree from the Prestigious University of Benin. He graduated with a First Class degree from the Peerless department of Production Engineering. 

He served at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Asaba, Delta state, where he implores his Planning, Research, and Project Management skills in managing tasks of science and technology related background. He was also an active member of the National Emergency Management Agency where he engaged in community development service. It would be  worthy to also mention that apart from his official duties and assignment by the Federal Government of Nigeria, he volunteered as a Graduate Teaching assistant where he taught more than 350 culturally diverse high school students at the Westend mixed secondary school in Asaba, Delta state.

Furthermore with the consistent assistance from the EducationUSA Advisers, he got admitted into the School of Material Engineering at Purdue University for his PhD Program with full funding.

Daniel hails from Ilesa-East in Osun State in Nigeria and is the second born in a family of five. He grew up in Ipaja in Lagos State and had primary and secondary education in the same state. While in secondary school, he topped his class several times and won several awards. Growing up wasn't easy for his family. His parents sacrificed their comfort to ensure he and his siblings went to school. Throughout his secondary school education, his parents were usually in debt to pay his school fees. His constant turn out of good grades every semester was the motivation that kept his parents going and not discouraged.

He proceeded to The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, in 2015. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and was among the only four students to finish with a First Class in a class of over 70 students. Something exciting about this guy is that in his 100level first semester on campus, he started with a CGPA of 3.88/5.00, and he was eventually able to cross the 4.5 mark due to his penchant for in-depth studying, perseverance, diligence and because of his burning desire to make his family proud. Daniel led several group projects during his program and topped his class several times.

During his undergraduate days, he took tutorials on several challenging and complex courses for his classmates and other students at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He was also the course representative for his final year class and a department teaching assistant. He was a vibrant member of the Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NiMechE) Student chapter. During the NiMechE'19 student week, he anchored a Plant Design Management System (PDMS) Software training, where he trained students on "Modelling a Compressor SKID via the PDMS Software". Also, as a student member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), he was part of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). He was always in charge of creating awareness for several SPE programs on campus.

He also had an internship stint with the National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO) Limited (a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation), where he learnt how to design several mechanical types of equipment in oil and gas plants, using up-to-date design codes, standards and software. Daniel also plays the keyboard in his local church and strongly supports Arsenal FC. 

Daniel has always desired to further his studies in Mechanical Engineering and had so many unanswered questions on how to go about it. During the lockdown in 2020, he heard about the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program from a "How to School in the U.S." webinar anchored by a fellow OFP scholar, Adeyemi Kayode, and he prepared to apply during the coming year. During his National Youth Service in 2021, he applied for the 2021/2022 OFP program and got selected among 33 other scholars. Through the help of his EducationUSA advisers and mentors, he got admitted into eight schools and had three fully funded offers. Daniel proceeded to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States, for his PhD program in Mechanical Engineering with a research focus on Additive Manufacturing and Micro/NanoScale Materials (Nanotechnology). Daniel says, "I am very grateful for the EducationUSA OFP program because my dreams have come true through the program, and I am very optimistic about the future. There was no way I could have afforded the necessary fees to apply to schools in the US. Our advisers are the best. They pushed us, prepared us and made the path easy to land the fully funded offer. I am nothing but thankful."

Dolor completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honors in 2015 from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Delta State. During his undergraduate days, Dolor was the Chess Captain and the Sports Secretary for the Student Union Government for two terms. He represented his university in both National and International chess tournaments.

Dolor is also an EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Scholar who received a Graduate Research Assistant position worth $53,000 from Oregon State University, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. His research area is in Sustainable Life Cycle Engineering, and he focuses on understanding the Industrial Processes and Environmental Impact of Hemp Production.

Elijah Samuel Umana was born and raised in the northern part of Nigeria, where he completed his Primary and Junior Secondary education. However, he is originally an indigene of Akwa Ibom state, where he completed his Senior Secondary education. Elijah graduated from Centenary Star College in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he served as the Valedictorian of his class, the Senior Prefect of his school, and President of the Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JET’s) Club. He also led his non-profit organisation, Vortec, which sought to connect and train young innovators in his school using human-centred design thinking to apply STEM skills in solving problems. Throughout his high school years, Elijah constantly demonstrated exceptional academic excellence and served as a source of inspiration to his peers through his purpose-driven leadership.

Elijah was widely known for his passion for bringing prototypes of his innovations to life using the limited resources he had. Inspired by the unstable power supply in his community, in 2018, he created a solar-powered multifunctional digital eyeglass for students that could emit light configured for reading at night, charge smartphones, and even play music through its internal earphones. This innovation led him to win the 2018 Indomie Independence Day Intellectual Bravery Award, amongst other national recognitions. As the President of JET’s club, he led several projects, one of which included an automatic wristwatch sanitiser sprayer his team worked on in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. After being commended by his State’s Commissioner for Education, he was selected to represent Akwa Ibom State at the 21st National JET Competition. At the competition, He emerged with a Certificate of Merit Award for his exceptional performance and for being one of the top 4 finalists out of 36 competing states.

After getting selected as an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Scholar, Elijah decided to take a gap year, during which he majorly dived into his interest in scientific research while attempting to expand his non-profit organisation, Vortec. He became one of the only five students in Nigeria selected to participate in the pioneering BUILD Nigeria cohort program and hence partook in their Summer Research Peer Mentorship Program. He was also chosen as a Young Researcher at the Junior Academy by the New York Academy of Sciences, where he participated in 120 days of research challenges. Elijah ended up amassing four research papers centred on sustainability and innovation in environmental, climate change, and energy fields. His team’s research on enhancing the use of flexible electricity led him to become a Winner of the Junior Academy Flexible Electricity Challenge. Outside of STEM, Elijah loves listening to classical and jazz music. He taught himself to play the piano and acoustic guitar and volunteered as the pianist for his Church’s choir.

Elijah received admission into various competitive institutions ranging from partial to full-ride scholarships. These include Minerva University, Howard University, University of Southern Missippi, and more. Elijah has resumed at Minerva University, California, on a full-ride need-based scholarship where he hopes to major in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence.

Emmanuel Chibueze Obasi hails from Ehime Mbano IMO state and graduated in 2019 from the Federal University of Technology Owerri as the second-best student in the department of Petroleum engineering with a first Class CGPA 4.59.

EmmanuelChibueze Obasi while a student of the University, won numerous leadership and academic awards. He won the International Outstanding student Chapter award as the President of the society of petroleum engineers. He represented his school in a team of five and won the 2019 national petroleum Quiz competition. He got admission into 4 schools for his Masters and PhD Degree program in Petroleum Engineering in the United States of America and Finally selected a Fully funded Master’s degree with an Option of a PhD in the University of Wyoming

Emmanuel Chijindu Allwell is a first-class graduate of Microbiology from the University of Benin. Allwell obtained distinctions in all his Microbiology courses to emerge as the second-best graduating student in his department. During his undergraduate, he volunteered with Smile With Me initiative in raising cervical cancer awareness across Nigeria and Africa in general.  He also volunteered with UNESCO Youth Peace Project in championing peace campaigns on the role of youth and religious leaders on national security and peace.

During his NYSC, Allwell worked as a graduate teaching assistant at Plateau state college of Nursing and Midwifery where he lectured on Bacteriology, Virology, and Immunology.  His flair for research secured him a spot at G-IMPACT 360 Research and Diagnosis Center where he employed standard microbiology, bioinformatics, and molecular biology tools in carrying out research in the areas of infectious disease prevalence, microbiomes, and probiotics as well as microbial biotechnology.

Allwell is a product of multiple research experiences and local and international conferences. He has participated in several professional development programs including the Bacterial Genomes and Bioinformatics virtual program, offered by the Wellcome Connecting Science and Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge. He is an active member of the American Society of Microbiology and the Nigerian Society of Microbiology and has two research papers under review.  He volunteers with the Platform Foundation Nigeria where he works with victims of religious, social, and economic crises to help them find well-meaning succor. Allwell owns a mentorship platform-LEARN WITH ALLWELL which provides educational opportunities to university aspirants and he was the convener of the EUREKA Science Project in 2021.  Allwell secured a fully funded Ph.D. offer in Microbiology (Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville worth $69,692 per annum.

Esther Nosazeogie is a conservation biologist and science writer based in Lagos, Nigeria. She is also a Research Officer at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research. An alumna of the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Institute, Esther, is interested in studying the role of top predators (especially birds) in coastal and marine ecosystems towards their management and conservation. Esther is also passionate about communicating conservation science to nonscientists and hosts a publication (newsletter/podcast) at naturestorynigeria.substack.com, which focuses on local conservation work. She serves as one of the 2021/2022 ambassadors of the East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum.

Esther is now an EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Scholar. She got a fully-funded PhD position in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stonybrook University, where she is currently majoring in Marine Sciences.

Ezekiel Okezie didn't think I will ever be given the privilege to study in the United States. He never even tried to dream of it. Having lost his Father in high school and helping the mother sell firewood to be able to cater for the family, Ezekiel never saw the ray of light amidst the many challenges as he went through school.  Even when he heard of EducationUSA and the Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) for the first time, he pushed it aside because he never felt qualified to be one who should be considered for such an opportunity. Today Ezieke will forever be grateful for giving it a try. 

He prepared for the SAT exam well, and the opportunity funds program basically made it possible for him to not only go through the application process but also travel to the United States all upfront costs paid. More importantly, the program was there with me every step of the way while I prepared for exams, my college application, wrote my essays, mock test and college interviews, and daily advice. Their body of alumni, which he is proud to be part of, was immensely helpful as he went through the application process. Indeed, it is one big community, one that helped me achieve what I thought would be impossible. Now, I did not only dare to dream but was given the right tools to execute those dreams

I got into Vassar College to study computer science with full funding. If i could do it, you can. 

Festus Adegbola received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Ibadan in 2020, where he graduated as the Best Graduating Student in his department and faculty. Festus actively participated in various leadership roles during his studies. As an undergraduate of Ibadan, Festus served as the President of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Students' Association with over 700 students. He initiated diverse training, seminars, tutorials, faculty lectures, and dinners that have been successful. Upon his graduation in 2020, Festus was also appointed as the Head of Capacity Building for the Nigerian Society for Environmental Conservation (NSEC). Part of his numerous contributions includes planning and executing a symposium to discuss the theme of ecosystem restoration on World Environment Day 2021. Additionally, He led a team to organize an essay writing competition with an environmental conservation topic to commemorate World Environment Day. The essay was targeted at youths to inspire a generation that will take positive actions to save their environment.

Festus Adegbola is an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program Scholar. He applied for the program in 2021 and was among 34 successful applicants selected out of over 2,500 candidates who completed an application. Festus secured a fully-funded offer from the University of Buffalo where he is presently undertaking a Doctoral program in Geography. His research area is Earth Systems Science, and he focuses on Ecosystem Monitoring for Management Applications. His project will develop an operational system and tools for monitoring the vegetation state of a fire-prone shrubland ecosystem. His study region is the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, which contains 20% of Africa's plant diversity and is a Global Biodiversity Hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site.