DAFI Scholarship - Transforming Dreams into Reality

The convocation hall at the Open University of Nigeria, Cross River State (CRS), bustles with the energy of elegantly dressed graduates and their families, all radiating joy. As they celebrate the end of their educational journey, four Cameroonian refugees and DAFI ((Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship beneficiaries share moments of excitement, recognizing their dreams have finally come true.

“The scholarship is a dream come true”.

“When I escaped to Nigeria, my only desire was to continue my education, but it felt impossible,” Elias, one of the graduates recalled. He fled Cameroon in 2018 due to the escalating conflict in the southwest and northwest regions of his country.

Elias first spotted the notice for the DAFI scholarship while at the Adagom refugee settlement in Cross River State and decided to apply. “I am incredibly grateful to DAFI and UNHCR for the opportunity to continue my education. The scholarship is a dream come true; I feel so special and can hardly believe this is me on my convocation day,” he says, his eyes bright with excitement.

By providing qualified refugee and returnee students the opportunity to earn undergraduate degrees in their country of asylum or home country, DAFI helps pave the way for personal growth and self-reliance. Thanks to the generous support of the governments of Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, along with private donors, this program has enabled over 19,000 young refugees to access tertiary education since its launch in 1992.

“I thought this was the end of my education”, I am overwhelmed with joy”.

Esau's journey to Nigeria in 2019 was equally challenging. To survive, he took on various menial jobs while holding onto his dream of returning to school.

“As a refugee in Nigeria, I believed my educational journey had come to an end because I was traumatized and couldn’t afford university,” he shares. Determined to make a difference, he chose to study Peace and Conflict Resolution, aiming to help others with similar experiences heal and promote peace in his community and society.

“Today is my Day and I am super excited”.

Cameroonian refugee DAFI scholarship beneficiaries during their convocation in Cross River State

© UNHCR

Zephaniah, an Economics graduate, could hardly contain his excitement. “I am so grateful for this scholarship opportunity from DAFI. My dream of becoming an economic researcher is no longer a distant hope—today is my day, and I am super excited”, he says.

For Felix, the war back home led to the closure of schools, forcing him and many other students to stop their studies. “I never dreamed I would reach this point after fleeing my community for Nigeria in 2018. I thought it was the end.”

The DAFI scholarship program has made a real difference in the lives of refugees by opening doors to higher education. Eileen Akintemi, UNHCR’s Assistant Education Officer, shares how Zephaniah, one of the scholarship’s beneficiaries, has used this opportunity. “Zephaniah now works as an Education Monitor with UNHCR’s partner, Save the Children International, supporting refugee education data collection, teacher training, and the Digital Education project in refugee-hosting schools in Benue State,” she says. Now self-reliant, he is helping ensure quality education for both refugee and host community children.

Since 2019, 145 Cameroonian refugees, almost half of them women, have benefitted from the DAFI scholarship program.

Education is a powerful tool for rebuilding lives and communities. Elias, Esau, Zephaniah, and Felix have become role models for other refugee youth, using their experiences to uplift and support their communities. “I want to bring economic growth and positive change to my community and advocate for the rights of children and other refugees,” Zephaniah says. They continue to encourage young refugees to pursue their education and apply for scholarships, showing that it’s possible to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.