Oluwafunmilayo Oni is not your average 19-year-old. She is a Nigerian scholar who has achieved an extraordinary feat: she has won both the Chevening Scholarship from the United Kingdom and the Irish Aid Scholarship from Ireland on the same day. She beat over 51,840 applicants from around the world to secure these highly competitive and fully funded scholarships for her Master’s degree.
Oluwafunmilayo, who graduated with a second-class lower Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Covenant University, Nigeria, had been doubting her chances of winning any scholarship for years. She faced many rejections and discouragements because of her academic grade, which did not meet the minimum requirement of most scholarship granting organizations. However, she did not give up on her dreams. She kept applying and improving herself, until she finally received the good news that changed her life.
She shared her joy and gratitude on her LinkedIn post, saying: “This year, I was awarded the Chevening Scholarship and the Irish Aid scholarship on the same day. See God!” She also mentioned that she now had to decide which one to choose, as she could not accept both scholarships. She hopes that sharing her story would inspire others to persevere in the face of challenges. She said, “So, if you have a 2:2 like me, the journey might be slightly tougher but the world is your oyster! Apply!!!!!”
Oluwafunmilayo Oni is a brilliant example of how determination, hard work and faith can overcome any challenge. She has proven that academic grades are not the only measure of intelligence and potential. She has also shown that there are opportunities out there for anyone who is willing to seek them and seize them. We congratulate her on her amazing achievement and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
If you are interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK with a fully funded scholarship, you might want to consider applying for the Chevening Scholarship. This is a prestigious award that covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other allowances for one year of study at any UK university. The Chevening Scholarship is open to applicants from over 160 countries and territories who have demonstrated leadership potential, academic excellence, and a commitment to their home country’s development.
But how do you apply for this amazing opportunity? Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Visit the Chevening official website at www.chevening.org and select your country or territory from the drop-down menu. You will see the available awards for your region, including the Chevening Scholarship.
- Create an account on the website and fill in your profile with your personal details, such as your name, contact information, education history, and work experience. Make sure you save your data and validate your profile before you start your application.
- Complete a quiz to check your eligibility for the Chevening Scholarship. You will need to meet certain criteria, such as having a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, having at least two years of work experience, being proficient in English, and having an unconditional offer from a UK university by 11 July 2024.
- Fill in the online application form with the required data and upload the following documents:
- Completed education documents, such as transcripts and certificates.
- Two reference letters from professional or academic contacts who can vouch for your skills and achievements.
- A valid passport or national ID card.
- An English language test certificate, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic, if you have one.
- Submit your application before the deadline of 7 November 2023 at 12:00 GMT (midday UK time). You can only submit one application per cycle, so make sure you review it carefully before sending it.
- Wait for the shortlisting results, which will be announced in early to mid-February 2024. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview at a British embassy or high commission in your country. The interview will assess your suitability for the Chevening Scholarship based on your leadership potential, career goals, and knowledge of the UK and global issues.
- If you pass the interview, you will receive a conditional offer of a Chevening Scholarship in June 2024. You will then need to confirm your acceptance of the offer and provide proof of your unconditional offer from a UK university by 11 July 2024.
- Congratulations! You are now a Chevening Scholar and ready to start your journey in the UK in September/October 2024.
Oni’s story is a perfect example of never giving up. Keep pushing till you see success and even so continue pushing. We want to celebrate her today. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African.
In the dynamic landscape of global health, one individual stands out as a beacon of inspiration and scholarly excellence. Meet Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi, a pharmacist whose journey from the University of Ibadan to the University of Oxford and now the University of Glasgow is marked by unwavering dedication, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to shaping the future of public health.
Yusuff‘s academic odyssey began at the University of Ibadan, where he earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree with Distinction (First Class Honours). His stellar undergraduate journey set the stage for an illustrious career dedicated to advancing global public health through cutting-edge research and innovative contributions to scientific discourse.
Having completed an MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology at the University of Oxford as a fully-funded scholar through the combined support of the University and Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, Yusuff has embarked on a Ph.D. journey at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on Epidemiology, Health Inequalities, and Administrative Data, sponsored by the UK Research and Innovation’s Economic and Social Research Council Doctoral Dataset Scholarship, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Government.
Notably, Yusuff serves as an Associate Researcher at the Scottish Center for Administrative Data Research, showcasing his commitment to bridging the gap between academia and practical application in the field of health research. Click here to read more about Yusuff.
