From Nigeria to Japan: How Sarah Akinkunmi Earned a Fully Funded MEXT Scholarship to Study Robotics and AI at Tohoku University

Sarah Akinkunmi from Nigeria is a research student about to begin her Master’s in Robotics and AI at the Human-Informatics Laboratory at Tohoku University, Japan.

Meet Sarah

Hello! I’m Sarah Akinkunmi from Nigeria, currently a research student preparing to begin my Master’s in Robotics and AI at the Human-Informatics Laboratory at Tohoku University, Japan.

My interest in robotics began during my undergraduate years, when I took elective courses in Robotics and Mechatronics. Now, I’m pursuing a long-held dream—applying reinforcement learning techniques to disaster response systems in my master’s research.

About the MEXT Scholarship

In 2024, I received the MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Embassy-recommended Scholarship. I listed only Tohoku University in my application, and I’m grateful it worked out.

The scholarship covers:

• Full tuition
• Monthly stipend: ¥145,000 for research students and ¥146,000 for master’s students
• Round-trip airfare between Japan and my home country

My Academic Journey

I completed my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at Covenant University, Nigeria, with a 4.43/5.00 CGPA. After graduation, I shifted into Software Engineering, then transitioned into Data Science and Analytics. This combination of technical and analytical experience strengthened my scholarship application.

My MEXT journey included three attempts:

1. First try – I applied in a rush and didn’t clear the first stage.
2. Second try – I used the university-recommended route, but my chosen lab was already full.
3. Third try – I started early, prepared thoroughly, and succeeded.

I had already taken the IELTS a year before applying. Although not required for MEXT, I believe every added qualification improves your chances.

How I Prepared for MEXT

Preparation was key. Here’s what I did:

1. Started early – Downloaded guidelines and past exam papers from the Japanese embassy’s website well ahead of time.
2. Perfected my documents – Ensured everything was complete and error-free before submission.
3. Studied for the exams – MEXT requires English and Japanese tests. I wasn’t fluent in Japanese, so I focused on getting a top English score.
4. Used wait time wisely – I researched labs, contacted potential supervisors, and prepared for university acceptance.
5. Practiced for interviews – I did mock interviews with my sister to build confidence and improve my responses.

My Advice for Future Applicants

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. Here’s my advice:

• Be patient and persistent.
• Start early. Prepare for each stage before it comes.
• Connect with past scholars to gain insights and guidance.
• Practice extensively—especially for the exams and interview.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be prepared.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIP