A young Nigerian man named Onyeka Chukwudozie, has defied all odds to secure six fully funded PhD scholarships in the United States, despite not having a master’s degree.
Onyeka’s journey to academic success was filled with challenges. As a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, he helped his family make ends meet by hawking mangoes and local drinks in markets and along roadsides.
Despite his struggles, he remained determined to pursue education as a pathway to a better future.In 2016, Onyeka graduated with a First-Class degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
With a deep passion for research, he dreamed of pursuing graduate studies abroad. However, the journey was filled with obstacles.
For three years, Onyeka applied to various universities but faced countless rejections, despite his strong academic record, research experience, and publications. Many of these rejections came from low to mid-tier schools, leaving him frustrated.
”Most of these rejections were mostly from low to middle tier schools, but I kept the perseverance. In fact, I heightened my quest and applied to top schools, and got in,” he said
Onyeka’s perseverance finally paid off when he secured six fully funded PhD offers from prestigious universities including the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), Rice University, Two PhD offers from Purdue University, University of Kansas, and the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Reflecting on his success, Onyeka described his journey as one of tears, rejections, hope, patience, and joy.
”I was once a boy who hawked mangoes and local drinks in markets and roadside to assist my family in putting food on the table. That same boy today gained a total of six PhD scholarships,” he said.
Among his six offers, Onyeka chose to pursue his PhD in Biological Sciences (Virology) at UC San Diego, a globally renowned research institution.
He expressed immense gratitude to his parents, his supportive friends, and most notably, EducationUSA, which played a key role in guiding him through the application process.
”Despite my indigent background, my resolution to change the world through science never dwindled. Those optimistic inner voices in my head that encourage me whenever I come back late from hawking and still burn the candles during my college years, have become a reality,” he said.
Onyeka encouraged other students facing similar challenges to remain persistent and keep believing in their dreams.
”Your dreams are valid. God, in his reckoning, bottles your tears of rejection. Someday, you will look back, sigh ,and appreciate the redirections and not the rejections you’ve had,” he said.
