A brilliant Nigerian boy named Chidubem Nkeme has achieved an outstanding academic feat, earning $85,000 in scholarships to study at four universities in the United States.
Chidubem graduated from Loral International School, Lagos, Nigeria with an impressive 4.95 GPA out of 5.00 in 2023.
He excelled in his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams, scoring 7As, 1B, and 1C in one, and 8As, 1B in the other.
His academic excellence extended beyond national exams—he also achieved a 345/400 in JAMB, 1550 on the SAT, and an 8.5 overall band in IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
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After graduating from secondary school, Chidubem took a gap year to focus on applying to universities abroad. His exceptional performance earned him admission into four U.S. universities, each offering him varying levels of funding.
Among the scholarships Chidubem received, the most notable was the Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) from the University of Texas at Dallas, worth $18,000 per year. Through a special out-of-state tuition waiver, the total value of his funding rose to $43,500 annually.
He also received funding from the University of New Orleans, which covered in-state tuition, housing, and a meal plan, as well as the University of Alabama’s Presidential Scholarship, worth $28,000.
Additionally, he was granted a $13,500 Presidential Out-of-State Tuition Waiver from the University of West Georgia (UWG).
After careful consideration, Chidubem chose the University of West Georgia, where he will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. He believes the school is the best fit for him and offers the most affordable four-year nursing program among his options.
Reflecting on his success, Chidubem credited his achievements to hard work, strategic study habits, and strong mentorship.
”I strived to maintain a high GPA, using various resources, from online videos to niche textbooks, to study effectively. I also frequently asked teachers for help when necessary and developed a strict but flexible study routine that worked for me,” he said.
For the SAT exam, he prepared with the Khan Academy completing all available courses before taking the exam. His aunt also played a key role, guiding him through difficult concepts and recommending useful materials.
To prepare for the IELTS, he worked with a tutor who helped him understand essential test strategies. He also relied on Barron’s IELTS textbook to refine his skills.
Encouraging other students seeking scholarships, he advised them to seek help and learn as much as they can about the process before applying.
”Many of these scholarships are competitive but attainable. So many people stand a great chance at them but miss out due to ignorance. Also, do a lot of research on many universities,” he said.
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