A scholarship mentor and researcher, Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, has drawn attention to the challenges many Nigerian students face in securing international scholarships despite strong academic performance.
In a post shared on X, Igbalajobi recounted his interaction with a student who has a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.82 out of 5.0 but has been applying for scholarships for about six years without success.
According to him, a review of the student’s academic profile revealed several factors that often undermine otherwise strong applications, including a mismatch between research interests and available programmes, lack of relevant research skills, and an unclear motivation for pursuing graduate studies.
He noted that while academic excellence remains important, many scholarship selection committees also assess the alignment of applicants’ research goals with the programme, their practical experience, and their ability to clearly explain why they want to pursue advanced studies.
The scholarship mentor said such challenges are common among applicants who rely heavily on high grades without adequately developing other aspects of their academic and research profiles.
Igbalajobi made the observation while referencing his recently published book, How to Win Fully Funded Scholarships with a Low GPA or Study Gap, which he said provides guidance on how students can strengthen their scholarship applications.
According to him, the book outlines strategies for aligning research interests, developing relevant academic skills, and crafting compelling personal statements that clearly communicate a candidate’s motivation for graduate school.
He added that improving these areas could significantly increase the chances of students securing the fully funded scholarships they have been pursuing.
