I created Opportunities Unlock after witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of educational inequality in Nigeria and across Africa. Growing up, I saw countless brilliant young people—my peers, neighbors, and community members—whose potential was stifled not by lack of talent or ambition, but by lack of access. Talented students couldn't afford university entrance exam fees. Motivated youth had no guidance on scholarship opportunities or career pathways. Young women were systematically excluded from technology and STEM fields.
As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar myself, I experienced the transformative power of receiving the right support at the right time. That scholarship didn't just pay for my education—it unlocked a world of possibilities, mentorship, and networks that changed the trajectory of my life. I graduated with a Master's in Artificial Intelligence in Business from Arizona State University with a perfect 4.0 GPA, but I know that without that initial opportunity, my story could have been very different.
I founded Opportunities Unlock because I believe that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Every young person, regardless of their socioeconomic background, deserves access to the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. The innovation was born from a simple but powerful conviction: when you unlock opportunities for one young person, you ignite change for an entire community. Africa's greatest resource is its youth.
In practice, Opportunities Unlock operates through three interconnected pillars
1. Our flagship JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) Scholarship Program provides financial support for university entrance exams, admission fees, acceptance fees, and school fees. We identify high-potential students from underserved communities through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and refugee support networks. In 2025, we supported 50 students from the Niger Delta region, achieving a remarkable 100% success rate. For 2026, we won the Trinity Hall Cambridge Grant to sponsor 100 students, doubling our impact.
2. Every beneficiary is paired with experienced mentors who provide one-on-one guidance on academic success, career pathways, and personal development. We organize regular webinars, workshops, and coaching sessions. For example, our "Breaking into AI: An Opportunity for African Youth" webinar in partnership with Baobab (Mastercard Foundation social enterprise) attracted over 600 participants and connected young people with mentors, scholarship opportunities, and career resources.
3. Recognizing that the future economy is digital, we partner with organizations like RLabs Nigeria, to provide free training in high-demand skills such as artificial intelligence, data science, and digital marketing. In May 2025, we trained 100 underserved youth, with particular focus on young women, equipping them with skills to secure jobs, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Opportunities Unlock has been spreading through strategic partnerships, grassroots community engagement, and digital amplification:
We started in Nigeria in 2019 and have expanded to Cameroon and Ghana. Our partnership with refugee organizations like Bright Foundation has enabled us to reach displaced youth who face even greater barriers to education.
We've established collaborations with international organizations (RLabs Nigeria, Baobab/Mastercard Foundation, Trinity Hall Cambridge), educational institutions, and local community groups. These partnerships amplify our reach and resources while maintaining local relevance.
Through social media, webinars, and online platforms, we've built a community of thousands of young people who engage with our content, attend our events, and access our resources. Our webinars regularly attract 400-600 participants from across Africa.
Our most powerful spreading mechanism is our alumni network. Students we've supported become ambassadors in their communities, referring peers and inspiring others. This organic, trust-based growth ensures we reach the most marginalized youth.
The innovation is spreading because it works, our 100% success rate in the 2025 JAMB program and the tangible transformation in beneficiaries' lives create compelling evidence that attracts more support and participation.
Since our founding in 2019, we have continuously evolved our innovation based on beneficiary feedback, emerging opportunities, and lessons learned:
Initially focused solely on mentorships, then we added scholarships, we recognized that financial aid alone wasn't sufficient in a rapidly digitalizing economy. We added comprehensive AI and digital skills training, partnering with RLabs Nigeria to train 100 youth in 2025. This addition has dramatically improved our beneficiaries' employability and entrepreneurial capacity.
We are also expanding our reach through our school summit, where we visit schools to talk to students dirrectly. While we've always served both genders, we've intentionally increased our focus on young women in technology, ensuring at least 50% female participation in our AI training programs and creating safe spaces for women to learn and lead.
These modifications have transformed Opportunities Unlock from a scholarship program into a comprehensive youth empowerment ecosystem that addresses educational, economic, and digital inclusion holistically.
1. Study our model: We welcome researchers interested in educational innovation and youth empowerment to learn from our approach.
2. Replicate in your context: Our model can be adapted to other regions and contexts. Contact us to discuss how to implement similar initiatives in your community.
The easiest first step is to visit www.opportunitiesunlock.com.ng or email us at opportunitiesunlock@gmail.com. We respond to all inquiries within 48 hours and are always excited to welcome new beneficiaries, partners, and supporters to our mission of unlocking Africa's potential, one young person at a time.
