My Scholarship Journey: What Consistency, Preparation & Mentorship Taught Me

Since 2011, I had already identified two major opportunities that would later shape my academic life: the Commonwealth Scholarship and the PTDF Scholarship.

I didn’t rush blindly into applications. I carefully studied the requirements first.

One requirement stood out immediately — the academic transcript. So in 2013, I made sure I obtained mine early.

Another key requirement for locally advertised scholarships like PTDF is proof of National Youth Service (NYSC) completion. So I made a strategic decision:

Apply first for scholarships where I already met most of the requirements.

Some scholarships, like Chevening, require strong work experience — which I didn’t yet have. Instead of giving up, I carefully packaged my profile using my internships, volunteer roles, and NYSC service.

This decision paid off. In time, I successfully secured the PTDF Overseas MSc Scholarship in 2018 — my first major breakthrough for oversease scholarship opportunity.

The Role of Mentorship

Yes — I have mentors, both within and outside Nigeria. They guided my decisions, reviewed my applications, and challenged me to stay focused.

But mentorship alone isn’t enough.

Consistency is the real engine behind every breakthrough.

I applied to:

Scholarships I pursued repeatedly:
  • Commonwealth Scholarship
  • PTDF Scholarship
  • Chevening Scholarship
  • King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals Scholarship
  • Australian Government Scholarship

If you examine my profile, you’ll notice something important: my successes didn’t come quickly — but they came because I never stopped trying.

When Life Interrupts the Dream

In 2020, I secured a fully funded PhD scholarship at Deakin University, Melbourne. I even obtained the visa.

Then COVID-19 happened. Everything paused. But I didn’t quit.

No opportunity arrives without setbacks. When times are hard, stay calm, stay focused, and trust the process.

Choosing Between Opportunities

In 2022, I received two fully funded PhD offers — one in the USA, one in Germany.

I conducted a careful cross-benefit analysis: funding structure, research environment, long-term goals, and personal priorities. I chose Germany — for reasons aligned with my future.

Final Advice

Preparation. Consistency. Mentorship. Patience.

There is no shortcut. There is no magic scholarship. Only deliberate effort and persistence.

Stay tuned — I will continue sharing scholarship updates and lessons from real-life experience, not theory.


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