“Next opportunity”: Graduate beats 11,000 applicants for UBC Scholarship
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Kehinde Yusuf, a first-class engineering graduate, was selected as one of only 42 Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UBC Vancouver
- Yusuf beat over 11,000 applicants to secure the scholarship, just one year after the university rejected her application
- The graduate credited her twin sister, three academic recommenders, and her faith for sustaining her through repeated scholarship failures
A Nigerian engineering graduate who was turned away by a Canadian university one year ago has returned with a full scholarship, beating more than 11,000 other applicants to claim one of the most competitive postgraduate awards in Africa.
Kehinde Yusuf, a first-class graduate of the University of Ibadan, announced in August 2026 that she had been selected as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of British Columbia, where she will study for a Master of Applied Science.
The irony of her story is hard to miss: UBC rejected her application to its Master's programme just a year before offering her a place on the scholarship.
From Mass Timber to UBC Vancouver
Yusuf's interest in sustainable construction took root during her undergraduate years, when she came across mass timber construction, a method of building with engineered wood that has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
The possibility of wooden skyscrapers reshaping the built environment stayed with her, eventually steering her towards UBC's Sustainable Built Environment Lab as her destination of choice.
At UBC Vancouver, 16,154 of the institution's 59,150 students are international, and 4,353 are graduate international students.
Of the entire student body, only 42 hold Mastercard Foundation Scholarships, and just two are thesis-based scholars. Yusuf is one of those two.
Sharing her journey on LinkedIn, she said she trained herself to read every rejection letter as a "Next Opportunity," a mindset she described as the anchor that kept her moving forward through multiple failed applications over the years.
The People Who Carried Her Through
Yusuf was open about the role others played in her breakthrough. She named three recommenders, Prof. Nureni Adedapo Adewole, Prof. Temidayo Omoniyi, and Engr. Adeniran David, who backed her applications more than once without ever making her feel like an inconvenience.
Prof. Haibo Feng guided her through two complete cycles of the Mastercard Foundation application process, a contribution Yusuf described as pivotal to her eventual success.
Her twin sister Taiwo sat with her through every low point and matched her energy at every small milestone.
Friends Daniel, Goodness, and James also offered consistent counsel and encouragement during what she described as a long and emotionally taxing process.
Earlier recognition through the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation Scholar programme and The Bridge Program helped sustain her ambition during the years when success felt distant.
TUKO.co.ke compiled some of the reactions to Yusuf's announcement online.
Khadijat Sikirulahi said:
"This is so inspiring. Congratulations to you my scholar Kehinde Yusuf 🎉🎉✨✨ This is just the beginning of greater achievements.!!"
Oluchi Annastecia Nwafor said:
"When you are determined for greatness, no amount of rejection can make you quit. NO is truly Next Opportunity, because if you had gotten a YES earlier, you might not have pushed further to get here today. Congratulations!"
Chidinma Nwatu said:
"Ohhh, this just made me happyyyy. Congratulationssssssssss to you, Kenny!!!! I am so proud and happy for youuuuuuu 🥹❤️❤️ I can't wait to see all that you'll achieve."
Lady’s 15-Year Wait for University Ends
TUKO.co.ke reported earlier that a young woman finally gained university admission 15 years after completing secondary school.
She shared her matriculation photo online and confirmed that she would study Sociology.
Her story resonated with people who had also experienced long delays in pursuing higher education.
She encouraged others not to give up on themselves, describing her journey as one of choosing progress over perfection
Source: Legit.ng
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.