Nigerians raise over N1.3m for student who couldn’t afford flight ticket after securing scholarship to study in US

A Nigerian student identified as Smart Godwin Micah, is set to travel abroad after securing a scholarship, and it is courtesy of his countrymen.

The young man gained admission to pursue his MSc in Physics at the North Carolina Central University, Durham, USA but he was unable to travel because he lacked money for flight ticket.

Micah took to Twitter to cry out for help due to the risk of losing fully-funded scholarship worth more than N16 million.

He made a passionate appeal in a series of tweets on August 12th, saying that the deadline for him was August 18, 2022.

His story went viral and well-meaning Nigerians began to donate to ensure he does not miss the golden opportunity.

They were able to raise a total of N1.3 million. (One Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira).

Micah had written; ”Support Me Please! I am in dire need of your financial support to book my flight ticket to Raleigh (RDU) lest I miss my Fully funded Graduate Assistant Scholarship to study MSc Physics at the North Carolina Central University, Durham.

My name is Smart Godwin Micah and I’m a graduate of Tai Solarin University of Education. My Bachelor’s degree was Physics and I graduated in 2019 with First Class Honors as the best graduating student of my set.

I have since then being applying for Scholarships and have been getting rejections until now. I have applied to more than 20 schools and recently, I got a fully funded scholarship to Study at North Carolina Central University in Durham.

MSc Physics as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. This is a huge opportunity I can’t afford to miss. I have spent almost all my savings on application documents, fees and standardized test and I am left with #300k which is not enough to book Flight ticket, travel materials or sort my accommodation expenses. I believe with your financial support & push, I’d be able to achieve my dream of becoming a Physics Professor and be of great influence to others coming behind me!”

He also revealed that the flight ticket cost $2,400 (approximately N1.6m), adding that he would need help with accomodation and feeding before he starts receiving stipends after landing in US.

The brilliant student wrote; ”Here is the breakdown of costs

Flight ticket – $2400 (₦1.6m) via Delta Airlines from Lagos- Atlanta-New York- Raleigh

Accommodation for the first month when I arrive, before I start receiving my stipend.$1300 – ₦870,000.”

However, in a recent tweet, Micah revealed that he he had booked his flight after getting the needed money.

He ended paying N650k for the ticket instead of the initial N1.6m, leaving him with N700k balance for accommodation and other needs.

”Flight Booked!!!!

All thanks to everyone that made this possible. I am more than grateful! May God continually bless you all!

Thank you so much!!!!”, he tweeted.

My name is Smart Godwin Micah and I’m a graduate of Tai Solarin University of Education. My Bachelor’s degree was Physics and I graduated in 2019 with First Class Honors as the best graduating student of my set.@AdeleyeSamuelA pic.twitter.com/0cZvKJk8tJ

— Smart Godwin Micah (@SmartGodwinMic2) August 12, 2022

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