Thirty-three high-achieving Nigerian students have been awarded full scholarships totaling $2.92 million to attend American universities and colleges for the 2024/2025 academic session.
According to a statement from the United States Consulate General, Public Diplomacy Section, Lagos, this opportunity was facilitated by the Opportunity Funds Program of the United States Consulate General in Lagos, which aims to increase access to U.S. higher education for highly qualified international students who lack the resources to cover the initial costs of attending a university in the United States.
At a reception in Lagos honoring the students, Consul General Will Stevens congratulated the scholars on their admission to prestigious U.S. universities across a diverse range of disciplines.
He encouraged them to fully embrace the opportunities available at American universities and to engage actively in various organizations and clubs to enrich their international student experience.
“This fall, you will join over 17,000 Nigerian students studying in the United States. You have successfully navigated the challenging U.S. college and university admissions process, and we are thrilled about your future. You have excelled in Nigeria, and I am confident you will continue to achieve academic excellence,” Consul General Stevens told the departing students.
One of the 2023 Opportunity Fund Program scholars, Chigozie Paul Odo, received full funding for a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of South Carolina.
His doctoral research will focus on immunotherapy with the aim of contributing to lasting solutions for cancer treatment.
Odo, who lost his father, the sole breadwinner of his family, during his second year at university, expressed his gratitude to the U.S. government for covering the upfront costs of applying to U.S. universities through the Opportunity Funds Program.
He said, “My dream of studying in the United States, which seemed impossible, is now a reality”.
The 33 departing students, comprising 10 undergraduates and 23 graduate students, will study a variety of subjects including biomedical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, earth and planetary sciences, organic and medicinal chemistry, and civil, construction, and environmental engineering, among others.
Following a competitive selection process, these successful students received financial aid covering expenses related to the college application process, such as standardized tests, application fees, U.S. visa and SEVIS fees, and air travel to the United States.
EducationUSA advisers provided continuous support through regular meetings, seminars, and boot camps to assist them throughout the application process.
The Opportunity Funds Program, now in its 20th year, the consulate says, demonstrates the U.S. Mission’s commitment to helping talented and determined, economically disadvantaged students gain the best possible chance to pursue higher education in the United States.
This program underscores the importance of educational exchange in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening ties between the United States and Nigeria.
According to the latest Institute of International Education Open Doors Report, Nigeria sends more students to American colleges and universities than any other country in Africa and is the seventh largest source of international students in the United States.
Over 17,000 Nigerians are currently studying at more than 1,000 U.S. co
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