Many talented young people miss out on life-changing opportunities, not because they are not qualified, but because they do not know these opportunities exist. Scholarships go unclaimed, fellowships are not discovered, and doors that could open international opportunities remain closed. Most times, this is not due to a lack of potential but a lack of information. But Grace Ihejiamaizu, a Nigerian social entrepreneur, educator, and advocate for youth empowerment, has recognised this problem and launched Opportunity Desk to connect young people to opportunities that can transform their lives.
Founding Opportunity Desk
As someone who benefited from scholarships and fellowships, Grace Ihejiamaizu understood how access to the right information could change people’s lives. She wanted others to have the same chance to grow as she did.
Thus, she founded Opportunity Desk in 2012 to bridge the gap between people and opportunities. The online platform connects people-particularly the youths—with resources like international scholarships, grants, internships, fellowships and conferences that can boost their growth and development. Over the years, Opportunity Desk has become a go-to platform for millions in more than 200 countries.
What started as a small online platform in 2012 now connects millions of users with scholarships, internships, fellowships, and training programs from around the globe. People now have a platform that points them to opportunities to help them build their skills, advance their careers, and stir up change in their communities. The platform has been helpful to entrepreneurs and students seeking funding for education. Professionals looking for leadership development opportunities have also benefited.
Besides the Opportunity Desk, Ihejiamaizu has other impact-driven initiatives like iKapture Network. The program is a social enterprise that uses information and communication technology (ICT) to solve education problems in Nigeria. The organisation works with secondary and post-secondary students, graduates, and youths between 15 and 25 who need relevant skills to stand out in a competitive environment.
Their key programs, reaching hundreds of young people, focus on leadership, personal development, entrepreneurship, academic excellence, and employability. The initiative contributes to building self-reliant leaders who can create jobs and contribute to society.
The Founder’s impact transcends Opportunity Desk and her entrepreneurial initiatives. She was also actively involved in global leadership programs, such as the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States, which connects emerging leaders worldwide.
Over the years, Grace Ihejiamaizu has shown commendable dedication to youth development and education. She frequently participates in forums and workshops to share her knowledge on unlocking potential through access to education, entrepreneurship, and skill-building opportunities.
She believes investing in young people can significantly create a more equitable and prosperous future for Nigeria.
