The Àjùmòbí Scholarship

under the aegis of Africa-RII, represent an innovative approach to educational and social intervention. Rooted in Yoruba cultural philosophy and universal principles of personal responsibility and altruism, the scholarships aim to empower youth through education while instilling values that promote self-reliance, ethical responsibility, and community engagement.

Philosophical Framework
Derived from the Yoruba proverb “ Ajumobi ko kan ti aanu, eni ori/Olorun ba ran si ni, ni i se ni l’oore” – the ethical principle of attracting generosity and empathy to oneself defies the logic or sentiment of kinship ties,  it is often the interplay between the individual’s responsibility and his/her luck.

Founding Ethos
The Àjùmòbí Scholarship are guided by four central tenets:

  • Education as a Right: Positioning education as a tool for liberation and collective empowerment.
  • Self-Awareness and Reflexivity: Advocating for a deeper understanding of the self in relation to the community.
  • Discouraging Entitlement Culture: Emphasizing ethical decency, self-respect, and self-worth as prerequisites for attracting opportunities.
  • Cross-Cultural and Intergenerational Collaboration: Promoting networks of solidarity that bridge local and global partnerships.
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Further Considerations
The Àjùmòbí Scholarship aims to:

  1. Foster Altruistic Outlooks: Incorporating mentorship programs and storytelling to inspire beneficiaries to “give back” to their communities.
  2. Promote Sustainability: Implement mechanisms to prevent dependency, such as graduated support models and community-based volunteering components.
  3. De-emphasizes Self-Aggrandizement: Ensure transparency in fund allocation and decision-making, guided by ethical oversight committees.
  4. Unlearn Entitlement: Include training on value-based leadership and personal responsibility as part of the scholarship program.

Projected Categories of Direct Interventions

1. Examination Fee Sponsorship:

  • Target Beneficiaries: Secondary school graduates seeking admission to higher institutions.
  • Key Needs Addressed: Financial barriers to accessing entrance examinations like JAMB.
  • Strategic Impact: Ensures equitable access to education at the foundational stages of tertiary admission, fostering inclusivity.

2. Undergraduate Support:
Scope: Comprehensive support tailored to individual needs, including:

  • Monthly stipends.
  • Tuition assistance.
  • Provision of educational tools (textbooks, equipment, computers).
  • Personal development training and exposure.
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Operational and Sustainability Strategy

  • The selection process will be rigorous but inclusive.
  • Our engagement with beneficiaries is continuous to sustain relationships between the emerging scholars and the African-RII network.
  • We are interested in tracking both academic progress and community impact to assess the program’s success.

We encourage past beneficiaries to become ambassadors and contributors

Governing Board:

  • Ibukunolu Gbemisola Ajagunna
  • Abdulrahman Tiamiyu
  • Abiola Oladimeji
  • Michelle Heese
  • Valerie Gruber
  • Timo Gerahdt
  • Chidinma Paulette
  • Oladapo O. Ajayi, PhD
  • Simisola Wright