Chevening is looking indidvuals who have a clear post study career paln. Outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer term career goals, considering how these relate to UK priorities in your country.
On my return home, I have plans to collaborate with the UK established West Africa Science Innovation Network (WASIN) and create a research program directed to the reinvigoration of budget allocation to science and technology in Nigeria. Currently, estimated gross expenditure on research and development in Nigeria is between 0.1 and 0.5 per cent of GDP as against the stipulated 5 per cent by National Policy on Science and Technology. Ultimately, this would change if a clear cut milestone is achieved through research in response to recent economy diversification program.
I intend to work on biofortification of locally produced rice cultivars with vitamin A. It has always been my dream to improve this massively embraced food staple in Nigeria. This plan will take approximately 5 years to be accomplished. At the outset, I plan to secure a position at the National Cereal Research and Institute (NCRI) as a Plant Physiologist. Through this position, I will have the opportunity to assess cultivars of rice that are mostly planted by local farmers in Nigeria. After this step, the next is to apply the professional skills I acquired during my time in the UK by designing a collaborative research. The collaboration would be between NCRI, WASIN, and my UK alma mater. WASIN will serve as an authentic platform to connect with my UK alma mater with regard to the proceedings of the research, especially in terms of state-of-the-art facilities and technical support. Although research institutes have a budget for research, I hope to utilize my networking skills to source for grants to support the research program financially.
Expectedly, I will apply for financial aid as a Chevener and, with this in mind, extend my tentacles to government agencies, NGOs, and corporate bodies that look forward to lowering their taxes by sponsoring non-profit projects. Regarding the time frame for this project, my first year in NCRI will be used for stabilizing and designing of the research. Early In the second year, proposal for the research will be submitted to the research board of the institution for approval. By the middle of the year, I intend to set off with contacting WASIN, making necessary arrangements with my UK alma mater, and applying for grants. Laboratory aspect of the research will start towards the end of the second year. Field trials will begin early in the fourth year and span to the fifth. The success of this research program will not only reduce cases of night blindness in the country, but also spur the government to establish a large scale rice farm with high processing technology that will compete with international standard.
Having acquired some level of professional experience as a Research Scientist, I hope to purse a PhD program so as to embrace a teaching career. I have a great passion to pass on my academic success by teaching and mentoring young people. In the long run, the history of my life will be incomplete without recognizing the impart of the Chevening Community.
Holt Educational Consultant - / 14,835 
4783 Excellent work Okoye! You really drafted a clear short term plan that could accurately cover the first 5 years after your graduation. Word of caution though, since you will have just graduated from the Chevening program, I don't think it will be good for you to tell them that you plan on applying for financial aid as a Chevener. In fact, I do believe that you need to clarify that statement. Are you planning to get a grant for research? Do you plan on using the Chevening network to do that? Maybe you just misstated your intention? Rethink that part and what you wish to say ok?
Now the last part mentioning the PhD is out of place in this essay. This is a post study career plan. Not a post study study plan. So keep the PhD discussion out of the immediate plans. That is more of a long term career plan discussion topic than a Chevening post study career plan.
