Chizoba Ejiofor just secured a ₦69 million Commonwealth Scholarship to the UK.
His story of resilience and mentorship has sparked praise and frustration over Nigeria’s neglect of top academic talents.
When the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, failed to fulfil a ₦50,000 prize promise, Chizoba Ejiofor’s story could have ended in disappointment. Instead, it transformed into one of triumph, as he secured a prestigious UK Commonwealth Scholarship worth over ₦69 million (£33,000), thanks to unwavering mentorship and resilience.
Chizoba Ejiofor, the overall best graduating student from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has earned a life-changing opportunity through a fully funded Commonwealth scholarship valued at over £33,000, approximately ₦69 million. The impressive feat was made public by education advocate Alex Onyia, who took it upon himself to support Chizoba when institutional recognition fell short.
Ejiofor, a graduate of the Department of Pharmacy, completed his academic journey with a stellar Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93. He was crowned the best graduating student for the 2021/2022 academic session and celebrated during UNN 52nd convocation ceremony held in 2024.
However, what should have been a proud moment for both Ejiofor and the university was marred by unfulfilled promises. According to Onyia, Chizoba had been promised a ₦50,000 cash prize by the institution in recognition of his academic achievement, but the reward never materialized.
In a heartfelt post on social media platform X (Twitter), Onyia recounted how he stepped in when the system failed Chizoba. He expressed immense joy in announcing the scholarship win, noting that they had worked tirelessly over the past year to secure international funding.
“You remember Chizoba Ejiofor, who graduated as UNN’s best overall student with a CGPA of 4.98 and never received the ₦50,000 prize promised by the school? I took him up as a full responsibility. We worked tirelessly together to get a fully funded scholarship, and now we have the good news. This is a fully funded Commonwealth scholarship worth over £33,000, including tuition, flight tickets, and monthly stipends,” Onyia shared.
Chizoba, in his own LinkedIn post, confirmed his academic achievements and expressed his excitement about what lies ahead. He joins a prestigious group of Commonwealth scholars selected globally for their academic excellence and potential to contribute meaningfully to society.
The announcement sparked a wave of reactions on social media, as many Nigerians expressed pride and frustration in equal measure. Some hailed the young scholar for his determination, while others lamented the country’s lack of recognition and support for top academic talents.
One user wrote, “Human resources exported! These are the kind of individuals countries fight to keep. Sadly, Nigeria seems to have no regard for this kind of excellence.”
Another added, “God disgraced their ₦50k and gave him ₦69 million. Congratulations, Chizoba Ejiofor.”
Criticism of the government’s priorities also surfaced, with one commenter saying, “They couldn’t pay ₦50k but have ₦39 billion to renovate the International Conference Centre.”
In the face of national disappointment, Chizoba’s story is a reminder that brilliance can break through barriers and that mentorship, advocacy, and global opportunities can offer deserving young minds the recognition and support they need to thrive.
His journey reflects both the challenges and potential faced by many brilliant Nigerian youths. Despite the odds, Chizoba has become a symbol of academic excellence and perseverance. His success underscores the importance of investing in talent and providing platforms where such potential can be recognized and rewarded.
