AAI Scholars
LIBERATORY EDUCATION
AAI has proudly provided over 23,000 scholarships and fellowships to African students. By supporting emerging African scholars in their studies along with offering scholastic programming across the USA and the African continent, AAI is addressing historical wrongs by advancing liberatory education. Please note we cannot accept scholarship and fellowship applications or other requests for support unless explicitly stated on our website.
AAI African STEM Initiative
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is arguably the most important field driving development across the continent, and yet according to the African Development Bank, less than four percent of African higher education students pursue STEM-related career fields. To counter this and support African students in their careers AAI, in partnership with Chevron, established the AAI African STEM Initiative, supporting African students in pursuing their education in universities across the United States.
Less than 25% of African higher education students pursue STEM-related career fields. In 2023 AAI established the African STEM Initiative, supporting African students pursuing their education in universities across the United States. In partnership with NoirUnited, AAI identified and assisted a 2023/2024 cohort of scholars, all of whom are African students who were displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine but are now studying at American universities.
AAI focused its 2023/2024 support for African students who were impacted in Ukraine.
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![Dr. Rose Langdon headshot]()
Dr. Rose Langdon
Howard University, Masters in Speech Language Pathology
University in Ukraine: Donetsk National Medical University
Country of Origin: Ghana
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![George P. Komolafe headshot]()
George P. Komolafe
Boston University, Masters in Health Informatics
University in Ukraine: Lviv National Medical University
Country of Origin: Nigeria
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![Jesse Nzan headshot]()
Jesse Nzan
Missouri Southern State University, First Year/Second Year in Nursing
University in Ukraine: Kharkiv National Medical University
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![Kosisochukwu Onwuagba headshot]()
Kosisochukwu Onwuagba
South Louisiana Community College, First Year in Nursing
University in Ukraine: Kharkiv National Medical University
Country of Origin: Nigeria
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![Obehi Angel Tony-Ativie headshot]()
Obehi Angel Tony-Ativie
Southern Illinois University, First Year in Nursing
University in Ukraine: Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University (IFNMU)
Country of Origin: Nigeria
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![Elmer Asibey headshot]()
Elmer Asibey
Oklahoma Panhandle State University, First Year in Business Administration – Computer Information Systems
University in Ukraine: Kharivi National Medical University
Country of Origin: Ghana
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![Somtoochulwu Umennaihe headshot]()
Somtoochulwu Umennaihe
South Louisiana Community College, First Year in Nursing
University in Ukraine: Kharkiv National Medical University
Country of Origin: Nigeria
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![Onyedikachi Kama headshot]()
Onyedikachi Kama
East Tennessee State University, Masters in Information Systems/Data Analytics
University in Ukraine: Sumy State University
Country of Origin: Nigeria
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![Helen Vuku headshot]()
Helen Vuku
Florida International University (Miami Florida), Masters in Maternal and Child Healthcare
University in Ukraine: Taras Schevchenko National University of Kyiv
Country of Origin: Liberia
The Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship (JOFLS) is a partnership between the Jim Ovia Foundation and AAI that will have a long-term impact in creating a better and brighter future for young Africans. The JOFLS is funded by the generous donation of $2 million pledged by Mr. Jim Ovia, Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank and the Jim Ovia Foundation, on behalf of the Foundation. Through our University partners, Covenant University in Nigeria and Ashesi University in Ghana, the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship provided to select high achieving students, from under resourced backgrounds, a full education that will offer them with the necessary skills for a dynamic and innovation-driven career.
The Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship provides the following benefits:
Comprehensive Scholarships: the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship will provide tuition, room and board for undergraduate study.
Career Support and Opportunities: Scholarship recipients will receive career counseling and support while still students and after graduation.
AAI Global Alumni Network: Recipients of the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship will graduate into one of the most prestigious alumni networks. AAI Alumni include prominent leaders in many sectors around Africa and the Globe and includes two sitting Presidents. Scholarship recipients will be connected to this network for potential opportunities, mentorship and the ability to collectively continue towards developing the continent.
Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship
SCHOLAR INTERVIEWS
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![Aimy Daboat headshot]()
Aimy Daboat
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Ghana
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![Brian Gomora headshot]()
Brian Gomora
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Zimbabwe
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![Valentine Muriithi headshot]()
Valentine Wanja Muriithi
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Kenya
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![Afsanat Ineza headshot]()
Afsanat Ineza
Computer Science
Rwanda
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![Hephzibah Emereole headshot]()
Hephzibah Emereole
Computer Science
Nigeria
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![Paul Lamptey headshot]()
Paul Lamptey
Business Administration
Ghana
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![Daphne Chebesi headshot]()
Daphne Chebesi
Business Administration
Cameroon
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![Dorcas Osei headshot]()
Dorcas Osei
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Ghana
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![Lorraine Makuyana headshot]()
Lorraine Makuyana
Computer Engineering
Zimbabwe
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![David Angyuum Nereh headshot]()
David Angyuum Nereh
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Ghana
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![Eunice Tachie-Menson headshot]()
Eunice Tachie-Menson
Electrical Engineering
Ghana
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![Umunnakwe Rejoice Ulunma headshot]()
Umunnakwe Rejoice Ulunma
Civil Engineering
Nigeria
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![Grace Owoade Semilogo headshot]()
Grace Owoade Semilogo
Computer Engineering
Nigeria
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![Amao Peculiar Abimbola headshot]()
Amao Peculiar Abimbola
Mass Communication
Nigeria
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![Williams Daniel Tobiloba headshot]()
Williams Daniel Tobiloba
Mechanical Engineering
Nigeria
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![Adekoya Oluwatamilore Henry headshot]()
Adekoya Oluwatamilore Henry
Chemical Engineering
Nigeria
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![Agbeyegbe Anita Gift headshot]()
Agbeyegbe Anita Gift
Chemical Engineering
Nigeria
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![Chinyere Goodness Ogechukwu headshot]()
Chinyere Goodness Ogechukwu
Architecture
Nigeria
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![Nnaemeka Jeremiah Chukwuebuka headshot]()
Nnaemeka Jeremiah Chukwuebuka
Mechanical Engineering
Nigeria
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![Aiyenero Enoch Mayowa headshot]()
Aiyenero Enoch Mayowa
Industrial Physics
Nigeria
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![Udoye Tobechukwu headshot]()
Udoye Tobechukwu
Mechanical Engineering
Nigeria
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![Audrey Obuobisa-Darko headshot]()
Audrey Obuobisa-Darko
Computer Science
Ghana
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![Joshua Alexander Fordjour Opoku headshot]()
Joshua Alexander Fordjour Opoku
Computer Science
Ghana
EADB-AAI STEM Scholarship Program
In partnership with the Africa-America Institute (AAI), the East African Development Bank (EADB) launched the EADB Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Graduate Scholarship Program in 2015 to support the capacity of regional faculty teaching in STEM fields which are critical to local employment and the growth of national economies. The fast-track, 12-month scholarships provide experienced teachers and lecturers from EADB member countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda) to earn a Masters’ degree in science, technology, engineering and math at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA.
Since 2015, sixteen students have received this full scholarship to pursue a graduate degree at Rutgers University. As alumni, they have returned to their respective countries and are contributing towards building a skilled workforce in STEM fields in East Africa.