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.

Gift Modekwe is a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. He was the Best Graduating Student in his department and bagged a first-class in Chemical Engineering. As an undergraduate, Gift won multiple scholarships and awards. Gift demonstrated excellent leadership skills serving as the Membership Monitoring Committee of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Design team lead of the Department of Chemical Engineering. He also runs the Youth and Teens Alive Initiative, which aims to mentor and inspire young people to break barriers and become great societal achievers. Gift secured a fully funded Chemical Engineering Ph.D. offer at Texas Tech University. Congratulations scholar

Ajodo Godson hails from Ibaji LGA in Kogi State but lived in Adavi LGA in the same state since he was born. He is the seventh child of a family of nine.  Going through school was challenging because of the family size, but his outstanding qualities paved the way for him through school. He was involved in many activities while in high school like mathematics, science, programming competitions, sporting activities like football, and short-distance races. I was a state bronze medalist in the Mathematics Olympiad in 2019, a national silver medalist in informatics in 2019, and a national representative in the International Olympiad 2020. I also participated in computer whizkids competitions and was a regional (North-Central) bronze medalist in other science competitions like "Cowbellpedia'' and "Interswitch Spark."

Apart from academic activities, he held three leadership positions in high school. He was the Senior Prefect boys, President of the Christian fellowship, JETS club President, and a sports team leader. After graduating from high school, He was still involved in tutoring students in the sciences and did a lot of personal projects in data science and software development. Due to his location, he never got to know about the opportunity funds program, he was recommended for the program and secured admission into Minerva University New Yock with full funding to study computer Science. Ajodo believes that your background doesn't determine your capabilities."

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