A brilliant young lady named Fathia Raji has achieved an outstanding academic milestone after earning the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship to study Mathematical Engineering in Europe, with her two-year programme taking her to universities in two European countries.
Her achievement is the culmination of years of hard work, academic excellence, and determination, from securing multiple undergraduate scholarships, participating in a research internship at the University of Oxford, and eventually earning admission into three Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes.
Fathia's Story and How She Did It
Fathia Raji’s journey began with a bold decision in 2020, when she left home shortly after completing secondary school to pursue her dream of studying Mathematics at the University of Ibadan.
Starting life in a new environment without an established support system was challenging. She recalled having limited financial resources and relied partly on income from tutoring to support herself while pursuing admission into the university.
Reflecting on that period, Fathia shared that she had neither a bed nor the comfortable living conditions however, she had a clear ambition, to secure admission into the University of Ibadan’s Mathematics Department and build a future through education.
Her determination eventually paid off, and she was admitted in 2020 laying the foundation for an academic journey that would take her beyond Nigeria.
At the University of Ibadan, Fathia pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and distinguished herself through consistent academic performance while participating in extracurricular activities and student leadership.
By the end of her third year, she had earned a CGPA of 3.90 out of 4.00, with 34 A grades and one B across her Mathematics courses. She also received the Faculty of Science Dean’s Roll of Honour Award for three consecutive years.
Her academic achievements extended beyond the university. She earned a Silver Honour Award from the International Youth Maths Competition (IYMC) and served as Vice President of the NAMSSA at the University of Ibadan during the 2023/2024 academic session.
She also served on the Mathematics Department’s academic team for three consecutive years and mentored more than 30 students, demonstrating her commitment to helping others succeed academically.
Despite the demands of her studies, Fathia secured five undergraduate scholarships including MTN Scholarship, Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater Miami Valley Scholarship, Jim Ovia Scholarship, Opekete Foundation Scholarship and Afrotech Girls Scholarship.
These scholarships provided important financial support throughout her undergraduate journey, helping her continue her education while pursuing other academic and leadership opportunities.
In January 2026, she completed her journey at the University of Ibadan, graduating with a first-class degree in Mathematics and a final CGPA of 3.89 out of 4.00. After completing her undergraduate studies, Fathia began exploring how her mathematical background could be applied to specialised research.
She developed an interest in cardiovascular engineering, particularly haemodynamics and the mathematical modelling of cardiovascular systems. Her interest in applying mathematics to complex scientific problems eventually led her to a research opportunity connected to one of the world’s leading universities.
In July 2026, she was selected for the MIORPA 2026 Summer Internship, an eight-week online research programme organised by the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford.
Through the internship, she worked on a project involving the use of mathematics, physics, and computational modelling to investigate how fluid motion, temperature changes, and surface forces interact to produce and influence patterns.
The experience offered her an opportunity to explore mathematical modelling beyond the traditional classroom and deepen her interest in research at the intersection of mathematics and applied sciences.
While participating in the internship, she continued researching postgraduate opportunities and submitting applications for international scholarships.
Fathia’s efforts eventually paid off in October 2026, when she received offers from three Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes: InterMaths, MathMods, and RealMaths, sharing on her LinkedIn.
Rather than settling for the first opportunity available, she evaluated her options and chose RealMaths, the programme that would allow her to pursue further studies in Mathematical Engineering.
She was selected among the programme’s top 10 students and received €2,700 towards travel and installation costs, helping her manage some of the expenses associated with relocating to Europe.
The opportunity marked a significant turning point in her journey, transforming years of academic preparation and scholarship applications into an international postgraduate education opportunity.
Fathia has since moved to Italy to begin her MSc in Mathematical Engineering at the University of L’Aquila. The two-year Erasmus Mundus programme follows a double-degree structure, with her first year in Italy and her second year at a partner university elsewhere in Europe.
Fathia has acknowledged that her achievement was not the result of individual effort alone. She credited mentors, family members, and supporters who provided guidance, financial assistance, and encouragement throughout her journey.
She expressed particular gratitude to Professor Samuel Okoya for supporting her RealMaths application and helping her secure financial assistance towards travel and installation costs.
She also acknowledged her mentor, Kehinde Oniyide, who had guided her since September 2025 through regular conversations, application reviews, and revisions to her statement of purpose.
In addition, she thanked Dr Muibi Kehinde Hammed for his financial support and influence on her personal development.
Now beginning her postgraduate studies in Mathematical Engineering, Fathia is looking forward to developing her research interests and exploring how mathematical methods can be applied to complex engineering and scientific challenges.
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