This is the 3rd essay prompt and my answer
. Explain the extent to which you have a long-term interest in Ireland and how you will promote links with Ireland during your time as a GOI-IES scholar and following your studies, as GOI-IES alumni. (15 marks) MAX 500 WORDS
Ireland has always stood out to me as a place where education, innovation, and culture come together. Major banks like Citi and State Street run European operations there, and the country is a growing hub for fintech and sustainable finance. Studying in this environment will show me how ethical, modern finance works in practice.
In class, I want to connect theory with practice through case discussions focused on Irish firms, data-driven projects, and industry talks that allow me to apply what I am learning. Outside the classroom, I will seek exposure through internships at banks like AIB and Permanent TSB. At UBA, I learned about risk culture and controls, and now I want to see how Irish banks balance innovation with compliance. My goal is simple. I want to learn what 'good' looks like and carry those lessons home.
I also plan to engage as a student ambassador with Education in Ireland. I enjoy answering honest questions about costs, housing, course load and part-time work, and I want to share my wins and challenges so applicants get a real picture. As a member of ScholarshipDreamers, a small community where essays are peer-reviewed and scholarship applicants supported, I know the value of honest guidance. GOI-IES will give me the credibility to host informational sessions, including webinars and Q&A forums for prospective students from Nigeria and West Africa, while emphasising Ireland's strengths and guiding applicants suited for its universities.
I am deeply passionate about financial literacy, an area that aligns closely with Ireland's new National Financial Literacy Strategy (2025-2029). I am coming not as an expert, but as someone eager to learn and share knowledge. I hope to volunteer at CALMAST's SETU STEM Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, where I will introduce secondary school students preparing for higher education to beginner-friendly sessions on budgeting, saving, and managing their personal finances. The camp will also give me the chance to learn about ethical business practices and their application from entrepreneurs across different sectors. Through this experience, I will customise what I learn into practical financial literacy content for Nigerian youth, creating relevant materials to benefit both countries. This is not just about me. My dream is to pass the torch, sharing knowledge that outlives me. If I can ignite that passion in others, then even after I leave Ireland, the flame of financial empowerment will keep burning.
Ireland represents growth, service, and connection. Its spirit of 'craic' mirrors the warmth I grew up with in Nigeria. I want to learn from a financial ecosystem that merges ethics with innovation and to contribute actively to campus life. Post-graduation, I will remain engaged through alumni networks and finance initiatives, mentoring future scholars and co-developing at least two joint financial literacy programmes for youth in Ireland and Nigeria. These efforts will directly contribute to Ireland's strategic goal for financial services outlined in Ireland for Finance 2026-2030, especially its newly launched National Financial Literacy Strategy, by promoting financial freedom and intercultural exchange between both countries.
. Explain the extent to which you have a long-term interest in Ireland and how you will promote links with Ireland during your time as a GOI-IES scholar and following your studies, as GOI-IES alumni. (15 marks) MAX 500 WORDS
Ireland has always stood out to me as a place where education, innovation, and culture come together. Major banks like Citi and State Street run European operations there, and the country is a growing hub for fintech and sustainable finance. Studying in this environment will show me how ethical, modern finance works in practice.
In class, I want to connect theory with practice through case discussions focused on Irish firms, data-driven projects, and industry talks that allow me to apply what I am learning. Outside the classroom, I will seek exposure through internships at banks like AIB and Permanent TSB. At UBA, I learned about risk culture and controls, and now I want to see how Irish banks balance innovation with compliance. My goal is simple. I want to learn what 'good' looks like and carry those lessons home.
I also plan to engage as a student ambassador with Education in Ireland. I enjoy answering honest questions about costs, housing, course load and part-time work, and I want to share my wins and challenges so applicants get a real picture. As a member of ScholarshipDreamers, a small community where essays are peer-reviewed and scholarship applicants supported, I know the value of honest guidance. GOI-IES will give me the credibility to host informational sessions, including webinars and Q&A forums for prospective students from Nigeria and West Africa, while emphasising Ireland's strengths and guiding applicants suited for its universities.
I am deeply passionate about financial literacy, an area that aligns closely with Ireland's new National Financial Literacy Strategy (2025-2029). I am coming not as an expert, but as someone eager to learn and share knowledge. I hope to volunteer at CALMAST's SETU STEM Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, where I will introduce secondary school students preparing for higher education to beginner-friendly sessions on budgeting, saving, and managing their personal finances. The camp will also give me the chance to learn about ethical business practices and their application from entrepreneurs across different sectors. Through this experience, I will customise what I learn into practical financial literacy content for Nigerian youth, creating relevant materials to benefit both countries. This is not just about me. My dream is to pass the torch, sharing knowledge that outlives me. If I can ignite that passion in others, then even after I leave Ireland, the flame of financial empowerment will keep burning.
Ireland represents growth, service, and connection. Its spirit of 'craic' mirrors the warmth I grew up with in Nigeria. I want to learn from a financial ecosystem that merges ethics with innovation and to contribute actively to campus life. Post-graduation, I will remain engaged through alumni networks and finance initiatives, mentoring future scholars and co-developing at least two joint financial literacy programmes for youth in Ireland and Nigeria. These efforts will directly contribute to Ireland's strategic goal for financial services outlined in Ireland for Finance 2026-2030, especially its newly launched National Financial Literacy Strategy, by promoting financial freedom and intercultural exchange between both countries.
