York University student Eghemen Rebecca Ehiagwina has big plans for her future — to help fulfil her home country Nigeria’s full potential. In her second year of the financial and business economics program at York University, Rebecca believes a career in economics will be the best path forward for her to make an impact.
“My passion for economics stems from my experiences in Nigeria,” says Rebecca, who moved to North York when she was 17 years old. “It is a country with so much potential to be affluent and resilient, yet it is such an unfortunate irony that it is ranked as one of Africa’s poorest countries.”
For Rebecca, her goal is to change this perception and paint a different picture of Nigeria. To do so, she hopes that her future includes becoming a stakeholder and a key voice in financial organizations, think tanks, and research firms. This, she believes, will allow her to analyze and create sustainable and realistic solutions for countries and regions around the world.
“I would like to work with like-minded people whose perceptions are not tainted by stereotypes about Africa, but instead, see the potential of Africans,” says Rebecca.
Passionate about a variety of political and social issues, Rebecca is comfortable with using her available platforms to voice her opinion.
“During my spare time, I love to make videos of myself talking about topical issues, particularly those regarding racism, unequal resource allocation, and global climate change,” says Rebecca. “I have observed that one of the causes of modern global issues between regions and countries is miscommunication and the immediate dismissal of varying opinions and ideas.”
Rebecca was recently selected as one of 20 student recipients of the RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Black Youth, which will go to support her academic journey. The scholarship provides up to $10,000 per year for up to four years toward tuition and other academic and living expenses.
Recipients are selected by a committee comprised of Black leaders from academic, business, and non-profit backgrounds. RBC also supports recipients with additional professional resources, including mentorship, academic and career planning, tutoring, and networking opportunities.
“This scholarship will really go a long way in helping ease my financial burden,” says Rebecca. “One of my wishes is that I finish my university studies as a financially stable student and this opportunity will literally make that dream come true.”
Rebecca was nominated for the scholarship by the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. The centre is a Toronto-based charity dedicated to addressing the economic and social barriers that affect Black youth, ages 14 and over who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). For more information, visit ceetoronto.org.
To learn more about RBC Future Launch Scholarships, visit rbc.com/futurelaunchscholarships.