CFIMA opens global opportunities for graduates in Ekiti West constituencies

In a bid to help young minds access global opportunities, make a difference in their communities, and realise their full potential, a new scholarship scheme, the C&F Igbalajobi Memorial Award (CFIMA), has been launched.

Announcing the launch of CFIMA, was the founder of Scholarship Cafe, Dr Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, who noted that the initiative is meant to honor the legacy of his late father, Professor Caleb Igbalajobi, and sister, Funmilayo Igbalajobi.

According to the dedicated advocate for education, “the CFIMA will annually award five recent graduates who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement, adding that “each recipient will benefit from a $3,000 scholarship, as well as a cash prize to further support their personal or professional development.”

“The C&F Igbalajobi Memorial Award (CFIMA) aims to specifically support talented graduates from Ijero, Efon, and Ekiti West constituencies in Ekiti State Nigeria, by providing mentorship, funding, and access to global opportunities.

“The award’s mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders to create positive change in their communities,” he stressed.

Expressing his inspiration for establishing the award, Dr Igbalajobi stated that “the creation of the C&F Igbalajobi Memorial Award is a tribute to the unwavering commitment my father, Professor Caleb Igbalajobi, and my sister, Funmilayo Igbalajobi,  to education and service to others.

He added that “the award reflects their enduring legacy and serves as a bridge to empower the next generation of leaders from Ekiti State.’

The CFIMA according to him is open to recent graduates who have completed their higher education in Nigeria within the past two years.

“To be eligible, candidates must be from Ijero, Efon, or Ekiti West constituencies and demonstrate a strong interest in global scholarship opportunities.

The application opened from Monday, September 1 to Tuesday, September 30, 2025.”

Dr Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi is a Nigerian academic, global education advocate, and social entrepreneur hailing from Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, Nigeria. He earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, a Master’s from Daejeon University, South Korea, and a Bachelor’s from University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

 Leaving Nigeria with only $100 in 2013, Dr. Igbalajobi embarked on a journey to secure over $1 million in scholarships, spanning four continents. In 2021, he founded Scholarships Café, a Canadian-based, tech driven platform that has supported over 80,000 students globally, helping them access more than $3 billion in scholarship funding.

A passionate advocate for equitable education, Dr. Igbalajobi has played a pivotal role in influencing policy changes, including the removal of English language test requirements for African applicants at prestigious universities.

In addition to his entrepreneurial and advocacy work, Dr. Igbalajobi serves as a Faculty Member at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, where he continues to mentor emerging scholars and support initiatives focused on science communication.

He is also a Visiting Senior Lecturer at Anchor University, Lagos, where he mentors and empowers young scholars to pursue their academic and professional goals. Dr. Igbalajobi’s work exemplifies his unwavering commitment to fostering educational opportunities, particularly for those from underserved regions, and ensuring that academic excellence and access to opportunities are no longer limited by borders.

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