Irene Ibiwari Ikiriko is a Plant Molecular Biologist and Assistant Lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She received a Bachelor of Science Education in Biology Education from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in 2017, recording the first time her department produced a First Class graduate since its inception. Recognizing the challenges with the global food system and wanting to become actively involved in scientific research towards crop improvement, she proceeded to the University of Lagos for a Master's degree in Cell and Molecular Biology with a specialization in plant breeding. She emerged as the best graduating student in the department with a distinction.

In further pursuit of her dream towards scientific contribution to diversifying the current global food system, Irene applied for and was selected to participate in the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds as a PhD applicant in 2021. Irene attests that "I have always primarily motivated myself towards success. However, being in a family with people experiencing similar stories as you and striving towards success steers something in you. It motivates you to try even harder than you could have imagined "trying" was possible. For example, I was motivated to shoot my shot at my PI after a boot camp session where conversations bordered around shooting your shot despite all else. I am forever grateful I sent that email that afternoon in August." In December 2021, Irene secured a fully funded offer at the University of Delaware to quantify crop biomechanics towards improving their yield, beginning in Summer 2022. As an OFP success story, Irene hopes to be the motivation that other outstanding students respond to, just as others were for her. Irene was also named one of the top applicants to the Plant Biology PhD program at UC Davis, where she is presently studying.

Outside the academic environment, Irene cheerleads the Dauntless Widows Foundation targeted crowdfunding tuition expenses for low-income widowed families in Nigeria and has been able to fund students from 20 families in the last four years.

Isaac is a first-generation graduate in his family, it was very challenging for him during high school as he had to juxtapose schooling and farming most times.  He managed the situation, served as the Senior Prefect of his secondary school, and proceeded to Benue State University. He continued to pursue academic excellence and graduated with first-class honors in Chemistry.  Despite not having access to quality education in the early years, he solely depended on God’s grace and worked very hard to achieve the extra mile and pursue excellence.

Today, Isaac is grateful to all the advisors at EducationUSA Abuja.  Having been selected as an Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) scholar after he saw the information online, this undoubtedly was the turning point and game-changer in my life. Without the program, my dream of studying in the USA would have been so difficult. On this note, I encourage everyone out there to always prepare themselves for opportunities. Doing so will enable one to quickly leverage opportunities when they present themselves.

Prior to his selection as an OFP scholar, Isaac distinguished himself among his contemporaries by God's grace with outstanding academic performance. He also received several awards from the University such as the Federal Government of Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship Award, David Mark Scholarship Award, Most Hardworking Student Award, and the VC Inter-Departmental Best Quizzer Award amongst others.

To everyone dreaming, he would say that your dreams are still valid even if they are bigger than you now.  Do not wait until you figure out your life completely before you begin your journey, if not you may end up not starting the journey at all. Just start from where you are now, help is on the way for you. EducationUSA was the help he needed at this point, and it came my way to guide me to the US. Issac secured several admission but will be attending Sam Huston State University Texas for an M.Sc program in Chemistry.

Jeremiah Omolewa was born and raised in Lagos. Ever since childhood, Jeremiah has kept a record of academic excellence. He graduated from his primary school as the overall best pupil. He also graduated from his high school as the valedictorian of the class of 2020

At Good Shepherd Comprehensive High School, Jeremiah proved to be a highly motivated, passionate, and outstanding individual who broke various academic records, including having the highest UTME score(338/400) in his high school's 25-year history, and he occupied numerous leadership positions. He represented his school in several competitions and came out as a top student in many, including being an award winner at the Nigerian Institute of Physics Competition, the first runner-up in the JETS interschool project exhibition, the second runner-up in the Awokoya National Chemistry Competition, to name a few. As the president of the JETS club, he revolutionized his school by creating several Arduino-based robots and repairing damaged school electronics. As the Captain of his high school choir, he led the choir to perform at various school events. He is a multi-talented individual with several skills like playing up to seven musical instruments, designing and sewing clothes(he sewed several nose masks during the pandemic), creating graphics & websites, and coding, to mention a few.

After his secondary school graduation, Jeremiah decided to take a gap year from formal education to apply to universities abroad. During this time, Jeremiah served as a graphics, communications, and administrative intern at EducationUSA. He received admission into competitive institutions with scholarships ranging from partial to a full ride. These include Swarthmore College, Fisk University, and Arizona State University.

Jeremiah is presently at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, on a full ride where he is double majoring in Computer Science and Engineering.

John graduated as the best-graduating student in his class. As an undergraduate at the University of Jos, he was an active member of the Student Chemical Society of Nigeria (SCSN). He is also an alumnus of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program (KL-YES) and a beneficiary of the IRIS Global Citizen Scholarship in 2016. As a KL-YES alumnus, he organizes and participates in regular Community Developmental Projects in various areas, from environmental sanitation to community sensitization on personal hygiene, building a more inclusive society, and many other humanitarian activities.

While participating in the KL-YES program, he was awarded various academic and volunteer service awards, including the US Presidential Award for Volunteer Service and the Fairfax JROTC Cadet of the Year award for the 2012/2013 session, and the Fairfax Super Scholar award for Foreign Exchange student. He loves Fashion Designer and is a Boys Scout Leader with the Nigerian Boys Scouts." He was selected as one of the opportunity funds Students and got a fully funded Ph.D. program at Wayne State University to study Chemistry

Johnson Adegboyega completed his bachelor's degree from the Federal University of Technology Akure, where he graduated as one of the best students in the Department of Agricultural Engineering. During his undergraduate study, Johnson participated in different leadership and extracurricular activities. He served as the Assistant State Coordinator for Food and Gene Initiatives. He volunteered for Get Education, Get a Skill and Give Information Fight the Flood, working towards achieving sustainable development goals.

After his second attempt, Johnson Adegboyega was selected as an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program Scholar in 2021. He was one of 34 successful applicants chosen out of over 2,500 candidates who completed an application. He has proceeded  to Purdue University for a Master's in Agricultural Engineering and specializing in Food Process Engineering. 

Olayemi Favor is a highly-spirited student with an eagerness to grasp knowledge everywhere she finds herself.  She got a scholarship to attend Thomas Adewumi International College where she always has been vibrant in her academics. She was projected in the principal’s roll of honor and rated among the top five students annually for six years, and graduated from high school as the best-graduating student. She learned about volunteering and giving back to her community while in school. After completing high school, she decided to give back to her community by teaching preschool and primary school pupils from ages three to nine after school in the evening. Her passion to make a difference and impact positively on my society did not just begin now, while in school her skills of leadership and being a powerful orator stood her out for excellence.  

Olayemi intends to study medicine and become a medical doctor to shape Nigeria’s healthcare system and prevent the waste of hundreds of lives every day. This determination became necessary after she lost her beloved dad to diabetes in 2018. She seeks this knowledge in the United States because of advanced technology, knowledge, and practices in the United States. Knowing this fact, the cost of pursuing her dreams will be out of reach for her single mum if not for the opportunity funds program.  The Opportunity Funds Program covered some of my upfront costs and today my dreams have become a reality.  I am attending Rust College to major in Biological Sciences with full funding in the United States. This relief will help my mother with the financial stress of raising me and my siblings alone. I want to inspire many people who want to learn about medicine, but also my younger siblings. I want many to see that, amid many challenges, and our country's shortcomings, it is still possible to be successful with your goals if you are intelligent and determined.

Joy Oluchi Amadi is a graduate of Chemistry from the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. In 2019, she emerged as the only First Class student in the Department of Chemistry, the best student in the science faculty, and the overall best graduating student of her institution. Joy has participated in extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles, all of which contribute to her broad talents. To begin with, she was appointed as the senior school prefect (head girl) during high school and represented her school in several academic competitions (debates, quizzes, etc.). Also, during her 200level in the institution, she served as an assistant general secretary for the Student's Chemical Society of Nigeria, Federal University Lokoja-Chapter, ensuring that the organization's objectives and goals were realized. From her second year until graduation, she assiduously taught Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics courses to students through the organization of free tutorial classes on campus, where she explained seemingly complex topics that they found challenging. During this same period (200 to 400level), Oluchi enjoyed the Federal Government Board Scholarship for Nigerian undergraduates due to her outstanding performance in the scholarship examination, which she wrote. While on her National Youth Service Corps program in Kwara State, Nigeria, she participated in community service work. Amadi joined the Reproductive Health and HIV Community Development Service Group after observing how carefree society's youth are. She was voted president of the organization shortly after being accepted as one of the volunteers. During this time, one of the most important roles she played was managing a team of eleven with the goal of sensitization. She made sure that she and her team went to schools, markets, clubs, and other venues to educate people about personal hygiene, reproductive health and the necessity of protecting it, HIV/AIDS and the importance of knowing their HIV status. She received an Award of Excellence for her true character and notable contributions to community activities that benefited over 700 people. These past responsibilities have helped her become a better leader and team player. 

Joy Oluchi Amadi is a 2021/2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program Scholar. She was among the 34 successful applicants selected from over 2,500 applicants who completed an application. She secured fully funded scholarships in the United States of America to pursue her doctoral degree. She currently attends the University of Delaware, USA, in pursuit of her PhD degree in Chemistry. Her research interest will focus on synthesizing and designing molecules that will serve as applications for treating diseases and cancer. During graduate studies, Joy hopes to proffer solutions to " incurable " conditions.

Kwashega Desengu graduated from the Federal University of Technology Minna Niger State with a first-class degree in Chemical Engineering. He wanted to proceed to graduate school, but he did not know how to go about the process. A friend told him about EducationUSA and he became a member. That changed everything about the process for me.

Advisers worked closely with him to make his profile competitive for graduate school applications. As part of the process, He took standardized tests, enhanced my research skills through research collaboration with experienced researchers from UK, Canada, Ireland, and Nigeria, and co-authored two articles in reputable international journals. I then secured a fully funded offer to pursue my Ph.D. at Auburn University in Chemical Engineering. I am very grateful to EducationUSA for all the support to help bring my dreams for graduate studies into reality

 Lawal Vincent Ayobami is a first-class graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba. Studied plant science and Biotechnology and graduated as one of the best in the department. After completing my undergraduate, he began to hone his skills to meet the present experiment demands in the field of interest – genetics, and genomics. First, he completed a course in fundamental bioinformatics at Helix Biogen Institute then interned at HackBio for bioinformatics and computational biology, where he picked up R and Python programming language skills.

After his undergraduate program at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba, he decided to attend graduate school to explore the techniques used during his project with a more sophisticated approach in an institution at the vanguard of scientific and creative innovation. Although he started the process after my NYSC in 2019, there was no headway until EducationUSA Abuja stepped in. Under the Opportunity Fund Program of EduUSA coupled with the mentorship of the organization’s seasoned advisors, I started the “right” process of application in 2021. At the beginning of 2022, I got a fully funded admission to the Biological Sciences (Ph.D.) program at Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan, for the Fall semester. I was also offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship with a total value of $60,782.

My sincere appreciation goes to EducationUSA Abuja without whose help I might never have been able to navigate the process both mentally and financially. In addition, I sincerely appreciate my family and my recommenders, Professor Kekere, Dr. Ajayi, and Barr. Mrs. Babalola and Dr. Bulu relentlessly supported my application with fantastic recommendations.

Growing up in a town far from civilization, the hope of achieving great academic feat seemed bleak and unachievable. By providence, relocating to Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria, and accepting the challenge to scale the difficult path was the starting point. The determination will further instill in me the resilience required to succeed in my academic journey, resulting in my emergence as the best-graduating student from the Faculty of Engineering, with First Class Honours in Mining Engineering, University of Jos, Nigeria (The first to ever emerge with First Class at both faculty and departmental level). My passion for imparting knowledge and organizing tutorial classes for intending undergraduates and university undergraduates introduced me to EducationUSA (Opportunity Funds Program); this positively changed everything. Applying to and being selected for the opportunity funds program has been a lifelong journey to discovering many privileges and opportunities I never imagined possible. I must say OFP by EducationUSA is a life-changing opportunity to be harnessed by any high-achieving yet financially disadvantaged scholar. As a beneficiary of the Opportunity Funds program, I am excited about the boundless opportunities awaiting my exploration. Now I am hopeful about leaving Nigeria's shores for a Master's and Ph.D. program in Mining and Mineral Engineering at the Prestigious New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, United States. OFP is a dream come true for me. Before this time, I had never boarded a plane (locally or internationally), but OFP has given me a change of story. With an overwhelmed heart of gratitude and the warmth of emotion, weaved into a candid expression of joy, I must say that EducationUSA (OFP) is a launching pad for great intellectual potentials who will, in turn, revolutionize the world, of which I am proudly a beneficiary

Michael Temitope KADIRI is a first-class graduate of Industrial Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. While Michael was at the University of Ibadan, he excelled both academically and in several leadership positions he held. Michael was the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Chemical Press for the session 2018/2019, where he amply worked closely with the team members to edit the weekly publications and also the release of the annual magazine of the department. Michael was also the Welfare Head of the student chemical society electoral committee, where he oversees the well-being of the members of the committee.

Michael loves to give back to his community, and this has been a massive part of his life, from volunteering to teach first and second-year students during his undergraduate days to reaching out to the less privileged under the auspices of Humanity Project Africa. Also, as the Vice-President of the Sustainable Development Goals group during his National Youth Service (NYSC), he created an awareness program for high school students on quality education and good health during his national youth service (NYSC) in Bayelsa state. Furthermore, he had teamed up with ACS (American Chemical Society) members at the University of Ibadan-being a community member himself- to organize programs for secondary school students by teaching them hands-on practicals on the making of liquid soap, air freshener, hand sanitiser etc.

Michael is an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) scholar. He was selected as one of the 34 successful applicants out of over 2500 applicants in 2021. Under the guidance of EducationUSA, he secured a fully funded offer for his PhD program in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Michael is interested in Polymer Chemistry with a particular interest in additive manufacturing, where he would use comput er-aided design for rapid prototyping and design of equipment.

Mirracle graduated with a record-breaking CGPA of 4.90/5.00 at her university. After our combined convocation in 2020, she was awarded the Overall Best Graduating Student for all 5 sets in a combined convocation. That was one of the highlights of her life. She had the privilege of meeting the Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde, and many prominent people. Her tweet went viral. she was featured in Vanguard, Punch, and lots of other news channels.

I am grateful to God who made all of these possible and aligned my steps on this journey. EducationUSA has been a blessing to my life. It has connected me with great minds. This is definitely not the end. Because as one journey ends, another begins. And I am positive that it can only get better from here at Michigan State University where i received full funding to pursue a Ph.D. program in Medicinal chemistry.

Mojisoluwa Catherine Oludare was born and raised in Ondo state, where she also completed her primary education. Ever since childhood, Mojisoluwa has kept a record of academic excellence. At age 10, she was awarded a fully-funded scholarship by Shell, Nigeria, to study at one of the most prestigious private schools in Lagos State, Nigeria.

At Edgewood College, Mojisoluwa proved to be a hardworking and distinguished individual, breaking various academic records, occupying numerous leadership positions, and actively participating in various charity/ fundraising events at the school. She has also won various national and international leadership and academic recognitions, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Young Leader's Award and the Cambridge Outstanding Learner's Award- May/June 2019 Cambridge IGCSE, best in Nigeria- Geography.

After her secondary school graduation, Mojisoluwa completed a one-year accelerated A-Level Program, after which she graduated as the Valedictorian and best graduating student of the set. She then decided to take a gap year from formal education to apply to universities abroad.

During this time, Mojisoluwa also served as an administrative intern at EducationUSA

Mojisoluwa received admission into various competitive institutions with partial to full/almost full scholarships to nearly all of them. These include Minerva University, Howard University, the University of Illinois at Springfield and more. 

Mojisoluwa resumed  at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, on a scholarship worth over $75,000, where she hopes to double major in Biochemistry and Economics.

Nkwocha Stephen is a unique student, "the prof," as those around him popularly call him, due to his exceptional Intelligence and excellent academic accomplishments. 

He holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry Education from the premier University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and a First Class Master's degree from the Prestigious University of Lagos, where he graduated with a CGPA of 4.64/5.0 with a specialization in Physical Chemistry. 

During his undergraduate studies at the UNN affiliate campus for Education students at Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri Imo State, he engaged in several leadership activities that assisted in developing a strong leadership personality. He was elected Secretary General of the National Association of Science in 2007. He was also elected the Secretary General of the Degree students association in 2008. He also served as the Electoral Committee chairman for the Students Chemical Society of Nigeria A.I.F.C.E. chapter, where he recorded a free and fair electoral process. 

After graduating in 2009, He participated in the compulsory National Youth Service program in 2010/2011 at Ile-Ife east local government, Osun State. During this period, he volunteered to mentor over 1000 students in Adolescent Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and teenage pregnancy. The State Peer Educator Trainer coordinator gave him a commendation letter for his achievements. 

Stephen has served as an outstanding Chemistry tutor at Dansol High School. He also served in various capacities, such as the Head of the Science department, Head of the e-learning and Technical Committee, Head of the Robotics and Innovation committee, Head of the Summer School planning committee, member of the Academic Board, member of foreign examinations committee, and member of external competitions committee. He won several awards, such as "The teacher of the year in 2019 and 2021''. He also won the outstanding teacher's award in the 2021 Avogadro's Chemistry challenge by the University of Waterloo, Canada. He also got nominated for the Lagos State Best teacher of the year award in 2021. He currently has a YouTube Channel where he explains Chemistry topics to students preparing for the annual West African Senior School Examination.

Stephen is also an Innovation coach. In the past four years, over eighty (80) students from Dansol High School have been awarded Conrad Innovators in the annual Conrad Innovation Challenge. 6 teams have been Alternate finalists in the competition, and two teams (RET Innovate and Team Biocon) have made it to the Global Finals in Florida USA.

Stephen got a fully funded PhD scholarship that covers his tuition, medical insurance, and living expenses from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee where he is presently majoring in Chemistry.

Nmesoma Ebelechukwu Precious Onyejekwe attended Loral International Day Secondary school, Lagos, where she graduated as the valedictorian and had 6A's and 3B's in her WASSCE and 307 in her UTME. Having shown exceptional leadership qualities as class prefect from 7th-11th grade, she was unanimously appointed as the Head girl of the school in her graduating class. She served as President of the JETS Club and led inventions, which she and other club members displayed at interschool science fairs and competitions. She won a gold medal in the National Mathematics and Science Olympiad in 2018 and emerged in first place in the Junior Science category in Lagos state. In the 11th grade, she volunteered at the Loral Math clinic after school, where she taught mathematics to 7th -9th graders till she graduated.

Nmesoma participated in other extracurricular activities: literary writing, sports, and music. She was captain of the girls' basketball team and won a SIFA basketball gold medal in 2019. 

After secondary school, she took a gap year and learned python programming as a new skill. She continued volunteering at church as a fundraising committee member, raising donations for orphans, widows, cancer and HIV/AIDs patients. Conforming to her ambition to work in the health field, she also volunteered at Sirona Hospital in Festac town, where she gained a lot of clinical experience.

Nmesoma joined North Central College, Illinois in fall 2022, where she currently majors in Biochemistry. She is a recipient of their International Trustees Scholarship- a full-ride scholarship- awarded to only one international student.