Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa speaks to real people and explores the endless reasons and paths they take to japa.
Adekanmi had been chasing a fully-funded scholarship since 2023, but it didn’t happen until 2025. In this story, he shares everything you need to know about the Stephen Young Global Leadership Scholarship and why it stands out from most others.
Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?
I currently live in Glasgow, Scotland, and I left Nigeria on September 15, 2025.
Congratulations! How exactly did you relocate?
I left through a scholarship. It’s called the Stephen Young Global Leadership Scholarship. It’s a fully funded scholarship that doesn’t just focus on academic excellence like most others. This one looks at students who have also made a social impact in their community. They want to know not just what you’ve done, what drives your work and what impact it’s had beyond profit.
So, that’s what the scholarship is all about. They provide enough stipends that will cover your living expenses and almost everything else.
Can you tell me more about it? I know you’ve touched on the basics, but can you go a bit deeper?
Sure. Like I said, it’s called the Stephen Young Global Leaders Scholarship. They usually select only five students every year. It’s very competitive.
Academic excellence matters to the reviewers, but they also look at achievements outside academics. I had a distinction in my Bachelor of Pharmacy, which helped, but they also considered my other accomplishments.
Another thing to note is that this scholarship is strictly for MBA students, unlike others that cover different courses. So before applying, you must already have some years of work and leadership experience.
You first apply to the University of Strathclyde for admission into the MBA programme. Once you get in, you can then apply for the Stephen Young Global Leadership Scholarship. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview, and then they’ll notify you of the outcome.
When you say five people, do you mean five from all over the world or five from Nigeria?
Five from all over the world.
Wow, that’s insanely competitive.
Yes. Only two people from Nigeria received the award this year.
Crazy! What was your life like in Nigeria before receiving this scholarship?
Back in Nigeria, I worked as a clinical pharmacist after earning my Bachelor of Pharmacy, gaining experience in both community and hospital settings. I later became a Superintendent Pharmacist, overseeing operations and managing regulatory compliance.
Over time, however, I realised I didn’t want to remain in the traditional clinical space — I wanted to understand how businesses, especially startups, grow and scale.
So I founded DigitalMedHub, a small hub where I helped healthcare startups craft business plans, go-to-market strategies, and investor pitch decks — all driven by a desire to help innovative businesses succeed.
So, in summary, I was both a pharmacist and an entrepreneur in Nigeria.
Interesting. So what inspired you to want to study in the UK?
To be honest, I didn’t only apply to UK universities. I’ve been at it since around 2023. One thing I’ve learned is that clarity attracts opportunity. I always knew I wanted an MBA — not a PhD or MSc — because I didn’t want to remain just a traditional pharmacist. I wanted to work at the intersection of healthcare, entrepreneurship, and business.
To do that, I needed a business foundation. I already had the clinical knowledge, but I needed to understand how businesses and leadership work. People say your network is your networth, and that’s true. I wanted to build a global network and sharpen my leadership mindset. That’s why I chose an MBA.
You mentioned you’ve been trying since 2023. What happened? Were you getting rejections?
Yes, I started immediately after my NYSC. I already knew what I wanted; that’s why I said clarity attracts opportunity. I wasn’t chasing “japa” for the sake of it. For me, it was purpose-driven. Instead of looking for jobs after NYSC, I started preparing for scholarships. At first, I thought about writing the Canadian pharmacy exams, but when I saw the cost, I decided to focus on the MBA path.
I did a lot of research, studied for months, watched YouTube tutorials, and practised daily to prepare for the GRE.
Then I started applying to schools in the U.S. because funding for an MBA was more accessible there before the Trump era. I got some partial scholarships and rejections, but nothing fully funded. I told myself, “If it’s not fully funded, it’s not what God promised me.”
I paused applications for a while. Then, early this year, someone sent me the link for the Stephen Young Global Leadership Scholarship on WhatsApp. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first because most UK scholarships aren’t fully funded, especially for an MBA. But I still applied anyway, in faith and with an open mind.
I tailored my essays to match their focus on social impact. After some weeks, they sent me an email saying I was among the top 20 candidates. I wasn’t happy because I wanted top five. I actually DELETED the email.
LMAO. That’s crazy
They offered me a partial scholarship, but I refused. I told God, “You promised me fully funded.” A week later, on a Saturday, surprisingly, I got another email saying I’d been shortlisted for an interview.
I prepared seriously. But on the day of the interview, everything went wrong. My network kept disconnecting; it even logged me out of Google Meet at least five times. They eventually messaged me saying they had to move on to the next candidate. My heart sank.
I immediately sent an apology email explaining it was a technical glitch. They said not to worry. The following Monday, I opened my email in the evening and there it was: “Congratulations.” I had been awarded a fully funded scholarship. I couldn’t believe it.
That’s an amazing story. Congratulations again. For people who might want to apply, can you walk me through the process?
Sure. First, know that it’s only for the MBA. Don’t just apply because it’s a scholarship. Ask yourself, “Am I eligible?” You must have at least two to three years of work experience, preferably in a leadership or management role. It’s not for fresh graduates.
You also need a good academic background, though the review process is holistic. They don’t focus only on GPA; they evaluate your essays, your video interview, and your professional achievements.
Once you’ve been admitted to the MBA programme at the University of Strathclyde, you can apply for the scholarship separately.
Most importantly, tailor your application to their core values like social impact, leadership, and community contribution. They’re not just looking for high grades but for people who’ve made a meaningful impact in their environment.
Do you know when the scholarship usually opens?
Intending applicants need to do their research to confirm this, but I applied around April this year. It opens once a year, so the next round should be next year.
What do you think made you stand out?
Honestly, I don’t think you have to be perfect. I’ll be sincere, God qualified me for this.
But practically speaking, I took time to understand what they wanted. I studied their values, their mission, and ensured that my essays reflected those things. Apart from having distinction in Pharmacy, I aligned my story with their goals, showing leadership, social impact, and authenticity.
That’s what I believe made me stand out.
So now that it’s been a couple of months, what’s it been like for you studying in the UK?
It’s actually been interesting. I don’t want to compare it to Nigeria, but it’s been an amazing experience. Oh, and I need to mention something unique about this scholarship; they provide at least two mentors for you. And the kind of mentors they assign are people you’d typically never have access to in your lifetime.
I’ve already met mine, and they’ve really shaped my thinking and broadened my perspective. That’s one of the most beautiful parts of the programme.
Generally, studying in the UK has been impressive. The standard of education here is unbeatable. The only challenge so far has been adjusting to the cold. We’re in winter now, and it’s been quite an experience. Apart from that, everything has been great.
Do you have any plans of ever returning to Nigeria?
I believe in God’s leading. But to be honest, I really want to stay here, at least for now. I’m married, and my wife is still in Nigeria, but I believe she’ll be able to join me soon.
This scholarship doesn’t require you to go back to your home country, unlike some other scholarships, like Erasmus, where you’re required to return after your studies. For now, I can’t say for sure what the future holds, but I’d like to gain international experience first.
Is there a reason why you weren’t able to move with your wife? I know most scholarships come with the opportunity to bring dependents.
Yes, that’s true, but recently, the policy changed. Before now, students could bring dependents, but in July last year, they updated the rule. Now, only those on research-based master’s programmes or PhD programmes can bring dependents. If you’re on a taught master’s like me, you can’t bring dependents until you start working and get a sponsorship.
Of course, your spouse can still visit as a tourist, but not stay long-term until you either secure a sponsored job or move into a PhD or research programme. That’s been the main challenge for us.
I can imagine. On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you right now?
I can’t even begin to describe it. Honestly, I’m extremely happy, so maybe 11.
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