AFRICA | A brilliant Nigerian engineer, Chiamaka Akah, has achieved remarkable success, securing fully funded PhD scholarships from three top universities in the United States without first earning a master’s degree.
Her success challenges the common belief that a master’s degree is compulsory before pursuing a PhD abroad. Instead, Chiamaka built such a strong academic profile during her undergraduate studies that universities admitted her directly into PhD programs.
Chiamaka's Story and How She Did It
Chiamaka’s journey began at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) in 2017 when she gained admission through the supplementary list to study Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering.
Though the start seemed modest, she remained determined to make her academic journey count. Throughout her years in university, she consistently recorded excellent grades and distinguished herself academically.
By the time she graduated in 2022, she had emerged as one of the best students in her department, earning several prestigious recognitions, including being one of the 50 first-class graduates and the only female with such a result out of 5000.
She was also the best Graduating Student, Robotics and Automation Option, Mechatronics Engineering Department, best Graduating Female Student, School of Electrical Systems Engineering Technology.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared on LinkedIn how her story changed positively with her impact and determination.
“Small beginnings do not always equate to small endings. Six years ago, I got into FUTO through the supplementary list, unsure of what the future held. It was a humble beginning, but I was determined to make my ending loud,” she said.
She added that although there were moments when giving up seemed easier, perseverance kept her going. After graduation, Chiamaka was bombarded with the familiar question: What next?
In that bid, she decided to pursue graduate studies abroad, setting her sights on a PhD in Electrical Engineering with a research focus on Robotics in the United States, driven by her desire to build a better future.
For a year, she applied strategically, and in March 2024, her efforts paid off. Chiamaka secured fully funded PhD offers from Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a fully funded masters degree offer from Drexel University all in the United States.
After careful consideration, she chose Northeastern University, even though turning down other offers was difficult. By April 2024, she successfully passed her visa interview, and in August, she left Nigeria to begin her new journey in the United States.
Sharing her experience, Chiamaka said her post was also a promise to herself.“I’m posting this as a promise to myself – that I’d give everything I have to finish this PhD.”
Chiamaka also expressed gratitude to friends, mentors, and supporters who helped her throughout the application and transition process.
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