How a Nigerian Scholar Secured the Fully Funded Chevening Scholarship for a Master's in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds

My name is Victory Ojating from Nigeria. I am currently studying at the University of Leeds, UK, for a Master's in Food Science and Nutrition. I grew up in a small, closely-knit town, Calabar, Nigeria, and here, I learned to turn my obstacles into opportunities. I had this overarching dream and kept reminding myself that there is nothing small about me. While I am still on this journey, I am grateful for the privilege of studying fully funded by the UK Government through the prestigious Chevening Scholarship. My passion for this field stemmed from a desire to innovate food solutions, processes, and management strategies to develop products that are good for people and the planet, reduce the burden of malnutrition, and improve overall health.

Chevening Scholarship Details

The Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom for outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK. It includes full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs to and from the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, the cost of one visa application, and a travel grant to attend Chevening events in the UK.

After a rigorous and highly competitive process from over 70,000 applicants globally in the 2024/2025 session, with a less than 0.3% acceptance rate out of 7,000 applicants in Nigeria, I am privileged to be selected on my first attempt.

I was similarly considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, which is also very prestigious, but then, one choice had to be made. While it was quite a difficult decision to make, it was a good problem to have, and one to be grateful for.

My journey towards clinching the Chevening Scholarship has been far from luck. I put my lot on God, and his mercy echoed my name within the corridors of influence.

Educational Background

I graduated from the University of Calabar with a BSc (Hons) in Food Science and Technology, as one of the best graduating students in my department in 2023. Following my undergraduate studies, I was selected for the prestigious Venture into Management Programme 2023, sponsored by Junior Achievement Nigeria, to undertake a Mini-MBA at the Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University. This provided me with a balanced approach and skills in business management in the food industry, in strategy, problem solving, and leadership.

These skills were relevant in my work within the food industry at Nestlé Nigeria, in the Nutrition Category, based on my contributions to the category’s daily outlook, new product development, and nutrition medical detailing of Nestlé Infant Nutrition and baby food products.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Leeds?

Looking back, one of the things that helped me when searching for institutions was clarity on what I wanted to study. Knowing exactly what course outcomes I was looking for helped me focus on institutions that offered my course and were highly regarded globally. Additionally, using the course-finder section on the Chevening website was extremely helpful in selecting my choices.

The Chevening scholarship allows you to select three UK universities and three courses based on your preference. I strategically chose UK universities with flexible IELTS requirements, which meant I could skip writing the exam altogether if I had an equivalent qualification like WASSCE with a C6 an above in English.

To ensure a smooth application process, I began my university applications well in advance. I spent weeks researching through each school thoroughly, scouring the official websites, course pages, YouTube videos, and even contacting the school admission offices to request course catalogs and modules.

This in-depth research helped me understand how each course aligned with my career goals and to craft compelling personal statements for my university applications. When writing the university essays, I genuinely poured my heart into them, got a few reviews from some of my friends and mentors.

I also connected with some of my potential lecturers at my chosen universities in the UK via email after reading some of their research publications, discussing my interests, and exploring collaboration opportunities during my graduate studies.

By the time I accepted my Chevening scholarship, I had already secured my university admissions. Today, it is a privilege to have met some of these professors in the UK in person, building on my professional networks in the UK.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

Quick story, I first discovered the Chevening scholarship in 2019 on X (formerly Twitter). I was drawn to its exceptional reputation, but sincerely, I disqualified myself immediately, unsure if I could ever come close to being selected for the interview, not to mention the final selection. At the time, I was completing my industrial training in Lagos, and even then, I didn’t envision the scholarship as a realistic possibility, but out of curiosity, I still did some preliminary research to learn more about the sponsorship.

Fast forward to 2020, I attended the Study UK Exhibition event in Calabar, Nigeria, where I met a previous Chevening scholar in person. It was at this moment that everything clicked. Hearing his story made the possibilities come to life. Through this connection, I gained access to mentorship and guidance, which helped me develop my overall leadership skills.

By 2023, I had already begun working as a Nutrition category analyst at Nestlé during my national service and had demonstrated leadership in the industry, working with several food organizations, including the World Food Forum and the Thought For Food, promoting research and development for the future of food. These experiences helped me grow personally and professionally, and I began to see the need for a master’s degree in the UK through the Chevening scholarship.

To prepare for this, I started early, literally drafting my essays months before the Chevening application opened. I wrote and revised my essays multiple times, seeking reviews from friends, scholars, and mentors. In crafting my essays, I made sure to highlight how my studies in the UK would align with the UK’s priority areas in Nigeria. Even though I made a few other scholarship applications within the same period, my Chevening application served as a foundation for other scholarship applications. This was possible because I had a clear direction and focus in my essays, which made it easier to adapt them to different scholarship applications.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned the importance of building networks, developing leadership skills, starting early, and being mentorable. Sometimes, it is not just about how badly you want something, but how willing you are to invest in yourself and your future.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe one of the things that made my application stand out was the way I wove the four essays together into a cohesive narrative. I like to think of the Chevening essays as interconnected chapters in a larger story, each one building on the others to reveal a unified and compelling vision. By doing so, I was able to showcase not just my passion for the master’s program but also my growth, journey, and ambitions in a very authentic, simple, and engaging way.

Additionally, I made a conscious effort to be very specific in my essays, using verifiable numbers that demonstrated my leadership skills and impact. I also ensured that I thoroughly addressed every aspect of each essay question, breaking them down into key points and carefully crafting my responses to cover each one. I believe this attention to detail helped keep the reader engaged and invested in my story.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I were to go through the process again, I would believe in myself more. Initially, I disqualified myself, and at some point, I felt that my experiences weren’t impressive enough. However, I’ve learned that it’s not just about the scale of your work experience, but about the impact you’ve made, no matter how small, and the story you can tell.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

 My advice is to be audacious and not underestimate your experiences or compare yourself to others. You are enough, and your story matters. I am grateful that I was able to secure the award on my first attempt, but I want to emphasize that it's okay if it takes more than one try. The key is to stay confident and keep pushing forward.

In addition, I recommend using a clear and simplified language in your essays. Avoid using overly complex vocabulary and grammatical encumbrances that may come across as vague. Authenticity and clarity are key to making a strong impression.

Furthermore, use the STAR approach to tell your stories across your essays. Frame your examples in terms of Situation, Task, Action, and Result. I like to add an extra L - Lesson learned. This will help you provide specific, compelling examples that demonstrate your skills and impact.

Also, take the time to thoroughly review the application website and requirements. Spend enough time on this, as every detail matters, and being well-informed keeps you one step ahead.

Finally, I believe in God's timing, and I believe the mercy of God will speak on your behalf when it is your time (Romans 8:28). I will be cheering you on. This is my story.