After facing 40 rejections, Nigerian graduate Obiorah Jenifah secured a fully-funded scholarship to SOAS University of London, showcasing extraordinary resilience and determination.
A determined Nigerian woman, Obiorah Jenifah, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by securing a fully-funded scholarship to study at SOAS University of London in the United Kingdom. Her inspiring journey is a testament to perseverance and unwavering dedication.
Jenifah, a graduate of the National Open University of Nigeria with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, achieved an impressive 4.48 GPA, earning a Second Class Upper division. Despite her strong academic record, her path to securing a scholarship was fraught with challenges.
In 2023, Jenifah began applying for scholarships, starting with the UK Government’s Commonwealth Shared Scholarship and the Chevening Awards Scholarship, both of which turned her down. Refusing to give up, she applied for other opportunities, including the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship and scholarships at the University of Reading, which also rejected her applications.
While some of her efforts led to partial results, such as a £5,000 scholarship from the University of East Anglia and partial offers from the University of Glasgow (£4,000), they were insufficient to cover her expenses. Admissions from the University of York and the University of Leeds also came without financial aid.
Jenifah faced rejection from several prestigious institutions and programs, including the University of Delaware, Rice University, Queen Margaret University, the Schwarzman Scholars program, the Hungaricum Stipendum, Erasmus Mundus programs, and the Australian Awards Scholarship. She was also turned down by the Free University of Berlin, Imperial College London, and the Romanian Government Scholarship.
Adding to her challenges, she experienced a waitlist situation with the Erasmus Mundus EGEI program and even encountered a potential scam while applying for the Mozida Scholarship.
Despite these setbacks, Jenifah’s determination never wavered. For the 2024/2025 academic year, her persistence finally paid off when she was awarded the prestigious Dr. Mai Yamani Scholarship at SOAS University of London. This fully-funded scholarship covers her tuition fees and provides an annual stipend, enabling her to pursue her academic dreams.
Celebrating her success, Jenifah shared on LinkedIn, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m rocking in London, UK finally on a fully-funded scholarship. I got a scholarship in my dream country after 40 scholarship rejections.”
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that resilience and perseverance can lead to incredible achievements. Jenifah now inspires others to remain steadfast in pursuing their goals, no matter how challenging the journey may seem.
READ ALSO: Popular Actor Graduates As Chevening Scholar In UK
SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION
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