WHY I AM NOMINATING MYSELF
“Passion is meaningless if it cannot put food on the table.” This was the mindset I grew up with, shaped by a humble upbringing where survival often took precedence over dreams. I was not born with a silver spoon, but I was born with something just as valuable: a burning desire for something more. From a young age, I saw education as the bridge to a better life.
My mother, a resilient woman who worked as both a petty trader and a civil servant, did everything she could to provide me with a basic education, despite financial constraints. Her sacrifices laid the foundation for my academic journey. At her small shop in a bustling public square, I regularly encountered successful individuals. They had one thing in common: they were educated. That realisation anchored my conviction: education wasn’t optional; it was essential.
As a child, I dreamt of becoming a lawyer. I was outspoken and believed my talkative nature made me fit for the courtroom. But everything changed in 217 during a casual visit to the trade fair. There, I witnessed machines operating in ways that amazed me. I was captivated. In that moment, machines no longer seemed like tools — they felt like the living creations of man.
This fascination led me down a path of exploration. I discovered that these machines are controlled by codes, written instructions brought to life through silicon chips and semiconductors. To me, this mirrored my Christian faith: just as God breathed life into man, programmers breathe life into inert materials through code. That revelation transformed my interest into a calling. I found purpose in the idea that computer science is a modern-day act of creation.
But passion alone is not enough. I learned that the hard way.
Due to my weak academic foundation, particularly in science subjects like chemistry and physics, I struggled in school. I failed my first WAEC examination, earning a D7 in Chemistry. Yet, that failure became a turning point. I decided to rebuild my knowledge from scratch, studying foundational concepts from as early as Primary 6 and JSS1. Through this journey, I discovered that many of the so-called “difficult science” topics begin in JSS2. With this insight, I grew confident: nothing is too hard if you approach it with heart and discipline.
Determined to help others like me, I began working as a private tutor and, after completing an A-Level program, as a science teacher in a rural community. These experiences revealed a systemic issue: many students from underprivileged backgrounds struggle in science because they lack foundational knowledge. Public schools, often under-resourced, fail to provide the basics. This disparity inspired my second dream: to become an educator who uplifts others by investing in quality grassroots education.
In the future, I plan to specialise in firmware development — programming the processors that serve as the brain of computers. I also hope to establish educational programs to support young science students from disadvantaged backgrounds, just as I once was.
A scholarship from the Sterling Bank, “Beyond Education” initiative would not only ease the financial burden of studying Computer Science at MIVA Open University but also serve as a motivation. As to whom much is given, much also is expected, and I am ready to rise to the occasion.
I would be deeply honoured to receive this opportunity, and I look forward to a day when I, too, can offer scholarships and hope to others in need.
Thank you.