AFRICA | A brilliant Nigerian Lady named Mary Onoja has emerged as the best-graduating student of the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom after earning her master’s degree in Health Economics with distinction.
Before her postgraduate studies, Mary obtained a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Extension from Ahmadu Bello University, where she graduated with a second-class upper division.
Reflecting on her journey, Mary shared in an interview with Daily Trust that she had mixed feelings about traveling to the UK. However, she found comfort in the fact that she was pursuing a field she was truly passionate about, unlike her undergraduate studies.
”From my experience working in non-governmental organisations, I found out that I really enjoyed data analysis. I had an interest in how health interventions were financed and the dynamics of decision-making around interventions. Interestingly, therefore, Health Economics aligned very closely with what I was interested in,” she said.
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At the beginning of her master’s program, she faced significant challenges due to her limited background in economics and econometrics.
She soon realized that note memorization would not be effective and that she needed to develop a deeper understanding of the subject. Determined to succeed, she adopted a critical thinking approach and focused on mastering the material.
Although her initial goal was simply to perform well, her active participation in class and the positive feedback she received boosted her confidence.
Following her graduation, Mary secured a six-month position as a research associate at the university, working on a project led by one of her lecturers. She expressed excitement about the opportunity, noting that while the contract is short-term, she hopes to transition into a consulting role with a longer-term contract.
Looking ahead, Mary is eager to apply her knowledge in consulting and explore future opportunities in her field. She also hinted at the possibility of pursuing a PhD in the future.
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