Nigerian Graduate Wins Prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for Sustainable Forestry Studies in Europe

Mary Motunrayo Ogunleye, a Nigerian forestry graduate, secured the fully funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to study Sustainable Forest and Nature Management in Denmark and Sweden, gaining international expertise in forestry, conservation, and sustainability.

A Nigerian forestry graduate, Mary Motunrayo Ogunleye, has been awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Sustainable Forest and Nature Management (SUFONAMA) in Europe. The fully funded program has taken her to the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Sweden, where she is gaining expertise in forestry science, conservation, and ecosystem management.

Ogunleye, who graduated with a first-class degree (4.57/5.0) in Forestry and Wood Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria, was also offered the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. However, she opted for Erasmus Mundus due to its two-year duration, international mobility structure, and dual-degree certification.

A Competitive Selection Process

Erasmus Mundus is one of the world’s most competitive scholarship programs, attracting thousands of applications from top students globally. Ogunleye credits her success to a strong academic background, a compelling statement of motivation, and well-rounded recommendation letters that highlighted her leadership, research skills, and commitment to sustainability.

“Beyond academic excellence, I believe my recommendation letters played a key role. They provided both a lecturer-to-student and mentor-to-mentee perspective, giving the selection committee a complete picture of my capabilities,” she said.

The Erasmus Mundus mobility structure, which allows students to study in multiple countries, was also a major attraction for Ogunleye. She described the experience as an opportunity to broaden her global perspective, develop cross-cultural adaptability, and gain hands-on training in nature-based solutions for climate change.

As part of the SUFONAMA program, Ogunleye has studied at two leading forestry institutions:

• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden) – Focused on forestry science, including forest management, biodiversity conservation, global land use, and sustainable resource utilization.

• University of Copenhagen (Denmark) – Specializing in forest ecosystems, nature, and society, with an emphasis on ecological processes, forest economics, policy frameworks, and sustainable land use.

The dual-country experience has provided her with interdisciplinary training and international exposure, equipping her with the skills to address global environmental challenges.

Despite receiving a €1,000 monthly stipend, Ogunleye had to implement budgeting strategies to navigate the high cost of living in Denmark and Sweden.

• In Denmark, she opted for non-profit student housing to cut costs.

• In Sweden, she lived in student hostels, which were cheaper than private rentals.

• She purchased student transport passes in both countries, significantly reducing travel expenses.

• To stay within budget, she prioritized home-cooked meals over dining out.

These financial strategies helped her maximize her Erasmus experience without financial strain.

Despite studying in non-English-speaking countries, Ogunleye faced no significant language barriers. The medium of instruction in both Sweden and Denmark was English, and most locals spoke the language fluently.

“Whenever I spoke English, people seamlessly switched to it, making communication easy. This helped me integrate quickly and feel at home,” she noted.

Reflecting on her journey, Ogunleye strongly recommends the Erasmus Mundus program to ambitious students worldwide.

“It’s a life-changing opportunity that offers world-class education, cultural exposure, and an international network of professionals. If you’re considering applying, focus on researching the program, crafting a strong motivation letter, choosing the right recommenders, and showcasing your character beyond academics. Passion and authenticity make your application stand out,” she advised.

While grateful for her experiences, Ogunleye wishes she had pursued more international internships during her studies.

“Although my coursework covered different forest management systems, I believe gaining practical experience in diverse biomes, such as the Mediterranean, would have strengthened my expertise,” she said.

Nonetheless, she describes the Erasmus Mundus journey as an incredibly enriching experience and urges prospective scholars to seize the opportunity with confidence.

Ogunleye’s achievement highlights the growing impact of Nigerian scholars in global sustainability efforts, as well as the increasing opportunities for African students to access world-class education through fully funded international scholarships.

READ ALSO: UNILAG Students Embrace New Opportunities as Erasmus Exchange Program Expands

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIP