Nigerian scholar Emmanuel Ebesunu has won a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study for an MSc in Emerging Infections and Pandemics at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
Ebesunu shared the news on X and used his achievement to encourage others who may be holding back from applying for competitive opportunities.
Ebesunu’s message to applicants Ebesunu said he had applied for the scholarship only a few months earlier, despite struggling with the self-doubt that can make people question whether they are qualified enough.
He urged prospective applicants not to wait until they feel completely prepared. In his post, he noted that people may always feel their CV could be better or believe another candidate has stronger qualifications.
“Don’t reject yourself before the opportunity gets the chance to decide,” he wrote.
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship supports students from developing Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK. Ebesunu’s award will allow him to begin his master’s programme in Liverpool.
A new chapter in Liverpool
Ebesunu thanked those who had supported him during the application process and described his move to Liverpool as the start of a new chapter.
His MSc focuses on emerging infections and pandemics. He ended his post by looking ahead to his time in the city, writing: “Liverpool, let’s see what this new chapter brings!”
His message may resonate with applicants in Kenya and elsewhere who hesitate to pursue opportunities because they fear rejection: submitting an application gives the opportunity a chance to make the decision.
Divine congratulates the scholar
Divine, a woman based in the UK, praised Ebesunu’s achievement and recognised the effort it takes to secure the scholarship.
“It takes a lot of courage, resilience and determination to bag a commonwealth scholarship. It’s a great achievement. Congratulations to him,” she said.
See the post below:
A reminder to anyone currently applying for scholarships, jobs, grad school or opportunities that feel slightly out of reach:
Keep applying to as many opportunities as possible.
You will never feel 100% ready.
Your CV will never feel “perfect.”
There will always be someone who looks more qualified.
But sometimes, all you need is one application to change the direction of your life.
A few months ago, I applied for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
Today, I’m in the UK, beginning my MSc in Emerging Infections and Pandemics at the University of Liverpool as a Commonwealth Scholar. 🎓🇬🇧
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported my application journey. One lesson I’m taking with me into this new chapter:
Don’t reject yourself before the opportunity gets the chance to decide.
Apply. Ask. Try. Send the email.
The worst outcome is often the same place you already are.
The best outcome might completely surprise you.
Liverpool, let’s see what this new chapter brings! 🚀
— The Emmanuel Elebesunu (@emmanuelebesunu) September 25, 2026
